In 2016, we
are bombarded with countless images of what “success” looks like. This is
happening at a rate greater than any historical time period up until this
moment due to the advanced technological world we inhabit. It is the exposure
to media on our smartphones, televisions and newspapers which drill home this
idea; owning a 5-bedroom plus house, owning an expensive sports car, obtaining
the physically attractive husband/wife, becoming a self-made millionaire, becoming
famous, wearing designer clothing and being popular socially.
Let us take a
step back, these images portrayed are selective, distorted and seduce us with
individualistic and crucially unrealistic ideals for the average person like
you and I. What is there to stop us from approaching “success” with a more
critical and creative vantage point.
‘Success’
represents a move forward into the future which is labelled by us as something
“better”, “greater”, than what we already were prior. Success therefore, is a
progression in wealth, fashion and status according to the ego-driven culture
which created it. But notice the key is success is a label defined and
maintained through us the people. If
we have a certain perspective on success, then inevitably we have already set our
limits to what “better”, “greater” and “happier” means. Does this mean a richer
man is a “better” human being than a “poor man”? No, it simply is a
representation of our cultured beliefs. Remember, a belief is just that, a subjective
perspective.
See, the
images we consume from media, the ideas we internalize from others and not listening to our inner selves has led to a world where we have created an
unrealistic image of success. Yet “successful” individuals (if such an objective
judgement is possible) may possess more material objects and hold higher status
than the majority of us, it does not protect them from feeling isolated,
depressed and being unfulfilled spiritually. Ok, you made it to the “top” but
what now? What more is there to achieve if you already possess everything
society tells you are the ultimate goals. Actually, it may be the case you
sacrificed loved ones and romances and now live in regret of irreversible life choices.
Friends, let
us work together to extinguish this outdated and potentially damaging belief
system and work towards fixing our damaged egos and inner contentment. I’m
speaking to you reading this, this very moment. Whatever your job status,
wealth, successes and failures, unachieved dreams, desires and goals. You are
the most important and successful person in the world right now, YOU matter,
your opinions, your undeniably unique and multi-layered perspective on the
world. Without you, your family, friends and colleagues would not be the same
without you. You offer something no one else can replace, you are valuable
whether you realize it or not. Does your younger sibling look up to you as a
role model? Then you’re successful. You have stayed strong despite adversity in
your life and continue to enjoy your life and make others happy? Then you’re
successful. You earned that new promotion in your job? Then you’re successful. Let’s
stop focusing on reaching for a materialistic-driven “successful” lifestyle
when you already are the most successful person at being you. Let’s stop comparing ourselves to each other, we all embark
unique journey’s. If we are to realize our success in our own lives’ we need to
transcend this outdated and immature belief system that wealth, status and
popularity equates to “being better”. The only life change we need to make to
become successful is to simply change our mindsets. We have to remind ourselves
to start celebrating our own personal achievements, praise our growth and those
around us. Within this generation what is stopping us from rewriting the Oxford
dictionary definition of “successful” collectively? If you are aspiring to
become something greater than what you are right now in whatever domain great,
but understand success is a journey not a destination. Success is influencing
the people around you right now positively, success is becoming a better “you”,
success is therefore impossible to define universally because ultimately you the reader can choose at any moment
in your life what constitutes success and continue to redefine this for
yourself.
