the elusive definition of success.

1.  Success is different in many cultures and morphs and changes from time period to time period.  In the United States during the 50's, success was measured in having the right car, the right husband, the perfect family, and being the ideal house wife.  Now, most women in the United States would gag and be insulted by this measure of success.  Success is perceived differently by each individual depending on what they value most and shifts throughout the years to adapt to social norms.


2.  There are many types of success.  Success might the measured in social status.  So one might be successful in a particular social circle, but not elsewhere.  The most successful people are those who are known in all social circles such as celebrities or sports stars.  Success also might be measured in rank or position.  So, those who are higher ranking in the workplace are clearly more successful than those of a lower ranking.  Lastly, success can be measured in wealth.  The one with the least amount of money is clearly the least successful, right?  Trying to categorize and define success is almost ridiculous because success is something that is defined differently by everyone.


3.  Success must not be mistaken for wealth.  Success is subjective and can be defined differently by different individuals, whereas wealth can be measured as a great amount of money or property.  A wealthy person may not the same thing as a successful person, depending on what your perception of success is.  Success can also mean the attainment of wealth in certain situations, so it really depends on what your view of success is.  One might argue money is success, but others would disagree.


4.  Success is defined differently by each individual, but what happens after success is obtained?  If someone becomes successful, it is possible for them to use this success in either a positive or negative way. Success usually results in influence, influence may be perceived as power.  Because someone is successful, this means he or she has the power to change how others act and think and this provides as much danger as it does good as a result.


5. It was all for success.  When I was younger that A meant everything to me.  And so my success in school is accredited to my blatant lack of a social life, nights spent studying alone with diet coke and coffee spilled on my keyboard, and the awkward scrunchies my mom bought me to keep my hair out of my eyes during tests.  Success was measured in grade point average, or so I thought.


6.  Many would say that Steve Jobs was a successful man.  He, along with a few other people, founded Apple computer in the garage of his parents' home.  By 2010, he was worth 8.3 billion dollars according to Forbes.  But was he successful just because of his wealth or was he successful because he made a name for himself and because of the relationships he formed due to his creation of Apple?