What is Success?

Success. What does this word mean exactly? Oxford Dictionary defines success as “ a. That which happens in the sequel; the termination (favourable or otherwise) of affairs; the issue, upshot, result. Obs.”  This is not the same definition that many people think of today when they think of the word success. In today’s world, success doesn’t have to necessarily come “in the sequel”. For many people, success can happen just once. Success can be getting a good grade, or winning the lottery. Success can come in big and small ways. Many people also do not think of success as a “termination of affairs.” Success is viewed as a positive event in a person’s life. The type of success all depends on the view and thoughts of the person who is “successful.”  Some people in today’s society define success as something as simple as getting a good parking spot at work. Others view success as something as grand as winning the lottery. Not many people define success as anything other than happiness and positive. Success is also defined as a “result” which is true in today’s society. Success is defined in this way because many people view success as an obstacle. People generally have to overcome a hardship in order to be successful. For example, if a person receives a promotion at work, this is viewed as success. It isn’t easy for one to receive a promotion at work. This takes hard work and dedication from the person who is receiving the promotion. This means that success takes hard work and dedication.

            Society has defined what it is to be successful, but this can be translated many different ways for many people. Success is any steps in a positive manner that makes a person feel good about themselves. Society has shaped people to feel the feeling of “success”. If someone isn’t as successful as someone else, they are made to feel by society as not successful. Success should be defined as anything good that occurs in one’s life. This is how many define success, which helps them become happier within themselves. Success can be changed within society to mean different things. Success should be defined differently for different people. I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Jordan are both very successful people. They are both successful in different ways. Martin Luther King Jr. was successful within the Civil Rights Movement, and Michael Jordan was successful in the world of the NBA. Success should be defined as a positive achievement. Anyone can reach success.