Imagine this… you are sitting in your bungalow, applying the finishing touches to your make up. Just then, you hear your servant informing you that your transport for the night – a 5 series BMW has pulled up in front of the gate. You quickly put on your 6 inch pumps and dash out the front door to the extremely important business event you have been invited to.
What is the first thing that came to your mind when you read the above scenario? A life of luxury? Or maybe happiness? Some would even take it as success. Very well… now think of this:
You have almost finished your 5th can of Sprite with less than 30 seconds left while your friends are cheering for you, amazed at your ability to finish 5 drinks in 2 minutes… and just before the timer runs out, you won the dare.
What would you make of that? Teenage fun? Thug life? Maybe even, success? Wait what? That doesn’t sound right does it? Well the truth is, it is completely right.
Whenever people think about success, they might think about money, living a life of luxury, maybe even receiving a prestigious award or title. Basically, something like scenario 1. However, when they are faced with scenario 2, it is less likely that people call that a success. When in reality, that is also a kind of success.
You see, success is all about achieving that one goal that you wanted. Maybe it is that childhood dream of yours- getting your degree or dream job- or maybe it is something you didn’t see coming, like a contest in which you won. Or a business deal you sealed. However, it is not important that success always comes as an award or certificate.
What would you say if I asked you if you wanted to be happy? Yes, obviously. But you wouldn’t say that if I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up. This is because, even though we don’t always realize it, we do want to be happy as and when we grow. So in a sense, you could say that success would also mean being happy. And wouldn’t you be happy while cheering your kids during their football match, or sitting at a coffee shop and discussing the latest trends with your friends? We do that every day don’t we? We get happy everyday don’t we? So in a way, we get successful every day don’t we?
It is not wrong when people say and expect that success is getting those grades or living a luxurious life. But in reality, there is another kind of success achieved everyday, one where we are successfully enjoying our lives, for that is a success story in itself isn’t it?
Of course, the stories don’t always have a pretty start. From Oliver Twist to Akshay Kumar, they all had to work hard to get their happily ever after.
You see, success is not just a 7 letter word. Everyone knows that you must work hard with determination and focus to be recognized and appreciated for your work. At least, that is what is expected. But many a times, you may not be successful the first, or even the tenth time.
Many great artists didn’t get famous until they died. But that doesn’t mean that Emily Dickinson or Vincent Van Gogh aren’t successful even though they didn’t strike gold when they lived.
Success takes a lot of focus and work along with determination. Yet, it is difficult to apply when you indulge in work you are not excited about. For example, Sachin Tendulkar is famous because of his cricketing skills, which he developed with excitement for the sport. But if he had indulged in say, cooking or writing, the outcome may have been different.
Thus, the reality is that success cannot be forced, but merely achieved through focus with a passion for the work.
4 Comments
nice post
awesome article
The article gives an insight for success. Success is all about the ultimate inner satisfaction.
I believe the meaning of “success” depends upon time, place and person.
Time: When you are young , the completion of challenges with your friends itself gives a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of success. The second example of 5 can of sprite of your article holds good. During the mid age, the status symbol becomes the criteria for success. During the old age the observance of good principles becomes the criteria for success.
Place: The criteria for success of a person staying in bungalow will be different than the person staying in a 1BHK who is struggling for bare minimum. Here the first example of 5 series BMW holds good.
Person: Breaking of records by Sachin in cricketing will be a sense of success for him, where as for normal person even it will be out of his reach. His needs, wishes will not be anywhere with Sachin, but still he will have criteria for success.
Having said that, Success is subjective matter and to determine its yardstick will be a matter of a debate. If not ,one can assume “Happiness is Success” and “Success is Happiness”
Last but not the least, not undermining the hard work and perseverance which is the path for Success.
The article refers to “Success” which depends on ones satisfaction.
I personally believe, “Success” criteria changes from Time, Place and Person.
Time: During the childhood / teenage the success is defined by the appreciation of the friends/associates. Here the example of Sprite Can is applicable. During mid age the Status symbol determines ones success. During old age the observance of good principle determines one success.
Place: The success factor is different for the person living in bungalow from the person living in 1 BHK, as the criteria differs. Here the example of 5 Series BMW applies.
Person: The success criteria is different for the celebrity from a ordinary person. Here the example of Sachin for cricketing applies.
Having said that, it is difficult to determine the parameter to evaluate Success.
In brief it can be concluded “Success is Happiness” and “Happiness is Success”
Last but not the least, without the hard work and perseverance one cannot lead to Success.