All my childhood, I have been taught about working hard, setting targets, accomplishing them and etc. In the incipient stages of my understanding of the world; I have observed society showering panegyrics on those who have a sheaf of accomplishments in their wake. By accomplishments I mean things like getting through competitive examinations, getting a good job, getting a promotion in the office etc . This led me to believe that achieving things brings about the ultimate greatness in ones life.
But lately, I have started questioning this ingrained notion. As I feel today, successes we record might lead us to false illusions of grandeur and power. Very often I encounter people who are wrapped up in a cocoon of self satisfaction after tasting the savor of the "so called success".
Today, I strongly feel that these conventional achievements are only a means to an end, but not the end. At the outset, worth of a persons life does not lie in the number of such successes he has garnered. But, it lies in "difference" he brings about by means of these successes. After all, only "a change" has the endurance of existing perennially in time.
In my opinion, a very successful person capable doing wonders and basking in the clime of his own achievements is merely an effete as compared to a normal person who has an aptitude towards bringing about a change; irrespective of the magnitude and subject of that change. Success in any competitive examination, educational degree or in any aspect of life for that matter can not really be called a "success" if it is not bolstered by an appropriate attitude.
where in the true greatness subsists……
Life preaches you many things...absorb them all...n find one thing..that you feel would make you a better person...
ReplyDeleteHmmm... thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar opinion about success: that it can't be quantified in terms of score obtained in an exam or the number of digits on your salary check.
Such measurement of success seems more inclined towards outward show-off than inner fulfillment.
Also, how much difference does one bring about to the world around him/her, is a more accurate parameter for judging success.
But I can't help thinking that the priorities for judging success will differ from person to person. I ,for one, tend to rate any of my activity/endeavour as success depending on the inner sense of satisfaction it brings.
Pertaining to your post: lucid logic, complex language(i lost count of number of times i had refer to the online oxford dictionary),great personal touch.....overall an excellent first post.
I hope we'll get many more opportunities to think about some of the aspects of life which we tend to blindly ape others.
cheers, mate!
for me success is more personal than bringing any change...I take success in terms of serving the ultimate purpose of my life...which may or may not bring any change...but will surely be the one which will not make me regret that I wasted this life doing the mundane things which everyone does...I may be selfish in this matter but I'm glad that at least I obscurely know what exactly I want from my life for which I can go to any extent..
ReplyDeleteyaa...i should also say its a thought provoking post
ReplyDeleteIt's true that as we grow up we develop half-formed feelings about different things from our parents, friends, leaders, media and also from our own personal experiences.
we can confront such developed half-formed feelings to develop full fledged feelings by giving it a deep thought and analysis as you have here about "success"
I accept with you success is nothing but a difference in positive direction.
but to the end only self satisfaction of his achievements could make him feel successful
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehey good post!! but just trying to understand what made you successful on 14th feb:)....anyway jus kidding..
ReplyDeleteAbout the subject, well success is relative in nature. Some people do look at it in quantitative terms only. The best example i could think of would be my boss..(details concealed due to sensitivity:D) ultimately what is to be realised is " does your definition of success brings u happiness?" if yes, then you are successful. however, this idea can also be misused by those who always believe in breaking the rules...lets forget them!!! they don come into this picture anyway!!
I look at treating success more like a mind game. for this ,one important question could be...
This time i am successful. but what if the same doesn happen the next time? will it affect my further pursuits to success. If the answer is no, then i can say for sure i am bound be successful irrespective of the number of failures. This is how i would link attitude and success.
A good post at this time, when we all are too busy to find out the ultimate success…& I think today we look at it in quantitative terms only...
ReplyDeleteWell success is a relative concept because it keeps on changing from person to person…like today I have one definition of success (achieving goals that I set), but a stay at home my mom have another. For some people material achievements define their success in life… So it really depends on the perspective of life you have & what you are searching for in life. It may also changes from time to time…..after 12th get through IIT JEE was success for me, but today I want something else & surely tomorrow I’m not satisfied with this one.
I look at success in terms of satisfaction & happiness…just think… if your success is not on your own terms, if it looks to the world but does not feel good to your heart; it is not success at all. Success, in the action sense, is achieving something you have set out to do and wanted to do. What if what you have accomplished doesn’t bring you true happiness & satisfaction? Are you still successful simply because you achieved something? If yes, then it’s your attitude towards achievements not success. If someone is happy & satisfied with his work whether he is rickshaw driver or shop keeper, I think he is more successful than you. But ultimately for achieving success, we must define it for our self.
Hi Rakesh.
ReplyDelete"What Success is all about". So there are few things:
1.Change as u mentioned
2.Happiness, satisfaction( everyone agrees )
3. Materialistic achievements(as mentioned by someone above)
What is success, What it brings, and its definition changes from person to person.
For some its a journey not a destination.
For some when there signature becomes an autograph..etc etc...
But what might be common is one thing that what success brings..is happiness and satisfaction. and it really brings some change may be at small level.And a positive change if its in the right direction.(u r not a terrorist).
As far as materialistic achievements are considered that is not a success to me. I do believe success to be how my work and life affects others.(u can consider bringing a great positive change.)
Rest what u and everyone mentioned explains everything.I would like to mention just few lines..
" Your personality can open doors of success for you, but onle your character and attitude can keep them open forever".
Keep on posting such thought provoking posts.
hey good post!I look at success in terms of satisfaction & happiness…just think… if your success is not on your own terms,and attitude can keep them open forever.I have a similar opinion about success: that it can't be quantified in terms of deep thought and analysis as you have here about "success".
ReplyDeleteToday, I strongly feel that these conventional achievements are only this post, has been removed by the author.Life preaches you many things achieving goals that I set,but keep on posting such thought provoking posts.As far as materialistic achievements are considered aspects could be ranging from leadership to love.
But overall i like the post, i will definitely read it someday. :)
Overall thoughts put together in a blog...good effort..
ReplyDeleteHmm..nice way of thinking..well success is success ...
Though it is wise to keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.
That man is successful who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of the intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.
According to me successful is the man who has done his level best, and who is conscious that he has done his best, is a success, even though the world may write him down as a failure.
bas bhaiya..bahut fatte ho gaye...
wat say bhaiya...
do visit my blog too..u can see some of ma creations..do comment so that i know u have gone thru ma poems..
http://apoorv-joshi.blogspot.com/
Rakesh,
ReplyDeleteas i can see u are more than flooded with complements of ur potential readers, i jus make it a point to write coz i think i shud, though most of it has been posted.
u failed to mention the one most important parameter of measuring success, especially personal. And that as it might have occured to u later is, happiness. No achievement is worthy if it does not generate happiness. Personally i feel that success can be quantified by the spontaniety of mind and frequency of genuine smiles.
These are my personal checks, which i apply from time to time on all my materialistic gains to make sure i dont forget what really my aim shud be.
Aur ek baat i thought it was wierd that ur id looks like "maverick shaven" in the first sight to me!
funny!
all the best, as i always say!