Rethinking 'Success'

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Friends, let us work together to extinguish this outdated and potentially damaging belief system and work towards fixing our damaged egos and inner contentment.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.