December 6th 2023.
Marvin Minsky, professor at MIT Media Lab, once said that success is a “suitcase word”, meaning that it holds a variety of meanings that must be unpacked and analyzed. In today’s capitalist, media-centric, and consumer society, success is often associated with fame and fortune. However, success can mean different things for different people.
Achieving goals is one form of success. These goals can range from academic achievements to sporting accomplishments. Even small successes should be celebrated, as when I got second place in my grade 5 spelling bee!
Personal fulfillment is another type of success. It can mean different things for different people. For some, it may be raising a happy family or writing a successful novel. No one should let society tell them what success looks like, if they feel successful already.
Wealth, prosperity, and fame are also seen as signs of success. But, being too successful can come with a price, such as anxiety and loss of privacy. Richard Branson is an example of someone who rose above his dyslexia to become a billionaire.
Overcoming life’s obstacles and challenges is a form of success that deserves both recognition and admiration. We can think of wheelchair athletes or people who rise above physical or emotional challenges.
Longevity and consistency in any endeavor can be seen as success. Warren Buffet is an extreme example of this, as his company, Berkshire Hathaway, has been trading since the 1960s and is now one of the world’s largest public companies.
Having a positive impact on the world is another form of success. People like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela have had this kind of success, and although it came with fame, they never sought it out in the first place.
Personal growth is something else that can be seen as success. This includes learning new skills or evolving as a person. It can also refer to the ability to maintain healthy relationships and friendships.
Finally, success can mean different things to different people. For some, it may mean living a simple life with no debt and just traveling. For others, it may be about having the freedom to do activities like sailing or creating art. Everyone should strive to find the type of success that brings them deep happiness.
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