Perception of success.
[Music]
anita roddick
a british businesswoman once said i want
to define success
by redefining it the webster
dictionary’s definition of success
is getting or achieving wealth respect
or fame as i’ve been analyzing the
traditional definition of success
a recurring question has entered my mind
is the current definition relevant
or should the criteria for success be
evolved and redefined after all
society has evolved significantly over
the last 100 years
and what is considered success today is
very different from what success was a
few decades ago
my name is abithya shetty and i want to
challenge the traditional definition of
success
and make it more relevant in today’s
world
personally success has had different
meanings throughout different phases of
my life
as a young kid taking a soccer ball into
a goal
was a very successful moment in my life
does that mean i received fame or wealth
no did you think that was successful
yes even to this day i get a smile on my
face when i think of that moment
as a teen now convincing my parents to
get me a dog
means i’ve been successful in proving to
them that i can be caring
responsible and matured that doesn’t
mean i’ve received famer wealth
but i still thought i was successful
that feeling of happiness is success to
me
which contradicts the traditional
meaning because i challenge
that success needs to be redefined to
moments of joy that will last a lifetime
successes had different meanings across
generations i called my grandparents and
asked what success meant to them
and their instant response aligned
directly with the dictionary meaning
however my view of their life is
completely different
i find them extremely successful in the
kind of life that they lead
they are humble giving and have a wealth
of knowledge acquired through their life
experiences
then i asked my parents that exact same
question and at their
age they thought having a great career
and raising responsible kids meant
success
their angels intrigued me as i
personally feel that they are successful
but not for the reasons that they told
me i feel that they enjoy and cherish
the little moments of life every day
like their welcoming nature with friends
and family and the open conversations
that we have
i also discussed this idea with several
of my friends and realized that my
generation also has a different view of
success
in addition to the traditional criteria
of success like getting into top school
being environmentally conscious and
promoting diversity and happiness
is equally important to being successful
this made me wonder
is the current definition of success
still appropriate or does it need to be
evolved
this is why i believe that the
definition of success needs to be
evolved to small moments of happiness
that can be cherished throughout one’s
life
today the definition of success is
mainly influenced by external factors
and standards set by others there is no
denying that we need to attain a certain
level of financial security
and social recognition but these factors
should not be the only drivers of
happiness
the stereotype of success in today’s
world is very generic and narrow
and success to me means being more
compassionate and courageous
and it also means experiencing life with
more joy and curiosity
like anita roddick the british
businesswoman i want to define success
by redefining it
and i hope that you will do the same
thank you
you