What is Success?

How does one become successful? In society’s eye, one is successful if he/she has one of the following: Wealth, Favor, or Prominence (Giving one SUPERIORITY in the grand scheme of things). Without any of these, we are considered “unsuccessful”. These traits are in order for a reason; wealth being the point in which the pyramid would not be complete.

What is success in athletics? Is it the result of blood, sweat and tears? Is it the one that shows at practice first and leaves last that becomes successful? Are these just bullshit clichés, or do they actually mean something if they are made of use?

What is success in the classroom? Should one consider themselves successful holding a 4.0 average? Are they successful because they carry the knowledge and work ethic to succeed in school?

Any dictionary will highlight wealth as something that gives one favor, prominence, or superiority; all of which defines success. What do most successful athletes obtain, regardless of where they are in their lives (or their appearance for that matter)? What kind of attributes do most successful students gain? In most cases, both will receive one of the four elements of what is considered to be success.

It’s not Webster’s fault for defining success in such a manor, so who’s fault is it? If my success means I’m a wealthy human whom is a favored and prominent person that reigns superior over a certain amount of people, kill me now.

Let’s rephrase this word called “success”. Why don’t we use “achieved”? When one has achieved, they have “attained a desired end or aim”, notes Webster. Moreover, one who achieves has “brought about a result by persistence”. It can even be defined as “A great heroic deed”. Ways of defining achievement might sway away from the idea of success, or do they? I couldn’t help but notice the ever so convenient definition of achievement that struck my curiosity: To carry out successfully. This description would not be as important to my case if it would have been the fifth or sixth usage. However, I can’t help but wonder why it is the very first in the particular order. Does this mean that if a deed is carried out in a successful manor one has attained a great achievement?

It might appear I aim to persuade you. Or perhaps I hold another countless, unproductive complaint about America. Sorry to shit in your lucky charms my friend, I only come with questions for you to ponder. I have no answers, but thoughts weighing on my mind. I am sold to the fact that no answer could change the world, but a few wandering minds might change the way you go about your life; maybe even a change for the best. How are you going to succeed?