Jacqueline Smith's 'This Is How Americans Define Success'

In American society, individuals are heavily influenced to equate success with the measure of one’s degree of wealth. However, the measure of success does not rest solely on materialistic matters. The term is defined as “the accomplishment of one's goals,” revealing that success is not limited to one’s fortunes (Random House Inc.). In addition, success is not a term with a universally accepted set of specified goals; the strive for success varies among individuals, and the varying goals defining success are without bounds. Success is a personal goal that provides an individual with fulfillment, is measured with the effectiveness of an accomplishment, and is an endeavor that involves adversities.

There are many different understandings of what success is. Some relate success to money, others relate success to happiness, but it all depends on the type of person.

When most people (here in the US or anywhere else in the world) hear or talk about the United States, a common theme is living the “America Dream”. The “American Dream” is the idea that children will have a higher standard of living than their parents and in 1940, 92 percent of them did. But by 1980 that number decreased to 50 percent, in terms of absolute mobility. The term “successful” is a universal term and applies different for every single individual because everyone has different levels of success, some are higher then others and there can be some barriers in the way. There are many stories and evidence that have proven this theme but in the fine details there are many other things that come into play when it comes to becoming “successful”.

What does success mean to you? I think the idea of success is affected by the social system. In America and Hong Kong, which are capitalistic societies affected by the American Dream, success means money and fame. In other societies, success might have different meanings. Some people said money and fame is the true meaning of success, but I think that the true meaning of success is to follow the interest of your own and being good at it, but not money and fame. Overemphasizing on these two factors can only lead to negative effects. Therefore I think the definition of success in capitalistic countries should not be focused on money and fame, because it restricts

To begin with, success does not necessarily mean having the best home in a city, or owning the car of the year. Everyone’s view of success can be very divergent. It can all depend on where a person stands, or what their past was like. For example, there can be students who might be the first in their families to attend college and getting a college degree can easily turn into their American Dream, it may even be their parents’ dream as well. In addition, the view of Individual opportunity for an undocumented homeless man may differ from the views of an American with a college degree. Owning a home, having

Everyone has their own interpretation of the word success. Individuals might even have their own personal explanation of how they came to be successful. However, these personal explanations are usually incorrect. Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Jobs, and the film, Dead Poets Society have a mutual understanding of success, making them interconnective. Although success can be interpreted in various ways, success is attained through hidden advantages, extraordinary opportunities, and significant intelligence.

A survey done by Dora Mekouar shows that 75 percent of Americans believe they are successful, but what is success? Is it achieving all one's’ life goals, (which only half say they have) or is it being rich, which only 34 percent of Americans believe is important (Mekouar).

But what does success consist of exactly? According to the idea that has been adapted by the United States, success is the ability to obtain the highest point of prosperity or wealth. Prosperity and wealth can be displayed in many forms, whether it stems from money, materialistic products, or happiness within family dynamics. It is to be said that the American Dream has been obtained once the individual has achieved success. For instance, success within the American dream suggest that once citizen have purchased the large dream home with the white picket fence, multiple foreign cars, is financially secure, and in possession of ideal perfect little family. The American dream has been obtained. Success is the ultimate goal of the American dream because it is expected that the individual has put forward hard work, determination, and initiative in order to achieve the highest point of prosperity and wealth. The younger generation immensely seeks success because of the desire to partake in the highest point of prosperity and wealth, but only a few are able to achieve such success. In order to achieve success you will need all three components necessary to guide you along the road to the desired destination, but multiple individuals of the younger generation tends to focus more on the fruits of the labor and not so much the labor (hard work, determination, and initiative) that if required to

When watching a television show, anyone might see success being portrayed as someone being wealthy, having fancy materialistic items and goes on great vacations. Yes, that might be true in certain opinions but not in every case. My extraordinary father, Matt Mills, is successful, not only in being able to support his family but, also in regards to being a role model for everyone around him. Mills provides his family with everything they need and more. When asked what success he has had in his life he responded with: “My family. My kids grew up to be respectable young adults that I love to brag about to others.” In retrospect, many other people may have mentioned money, having a good job, or materialistic items, when asked this question. Mills

The subject of the “American Dream” is so controversial that nowadays a unitary definition seems impossible. While Brandon King suggests in his essay “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” wealth stimulates the economy and argues it is vitally important to maintain a rich minority and their business methods in order to lead America back into an affluent society, the past tells us otherwise. The essence of his article is that the original words by historian James Truslow in his book “The Epic of America” describing the American Dream as “…that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability and achievement.” can simply be redefined into an American Dream as the potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and a safe future (611). Although I agree with King that wealth sparks the economy, I cannot accept his predominant assumption that the American Dream is intact as long as people believe they have a chance at

Success is, in many ways, a branch of perspective, and yet societal norms seem to dictate what many view as success. Through my personal experience, and through the reading of Frederick Douglas I believe that the idea of personal success in correlation with perspective is a subject worthy of debate. Dissecting the difference of what many view as success and what may actually be success is essential for growth personally, and for people collectively. For example; currently many in our society view success as the acquisition of a copious monetary status, usually preceded, or followed by recognition for actions, ideas, etc… whether or not one views these actions or ideas worthy of widespread recognition(IE, success of socialites who may have not actually contributed to their own success). Many would believe that figures such as Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardashian, who are viewed as successful women, are successful based on who they are, instead of what they’ve done, while others believe these women are role models for business and personal marketing in the 21st century. I myself believe that success is not based on how any group views you, but on how you view yourself, and measure your own success; based on where you started in life, your goals, and your level of pride in your actions.

The world is filled with secret formulas for a successful life. The traditional American myth of success is a conception marked by certain individuals and social-cultural conventions. It indicates that honesty and hard work will bring people wealth and good reputation. Besides, on the path to success, people are never constrained by their race, gender or low-income families and they are offered equal chances.

To begin, many people define success as making a lot of money or having a really big house, but in reality it’s so much more than that. The world today commonly associates success with money, talent, and fame. Those who do not work hard or are just merely given such items like cars, clothes, jobs, fame, or houses are actually not very successful at all. For example, people like the Kardashian girls are viewed as gods by society today and have more money then anyone can think of. In reality, the Kardashians were just handed basically everything they now have today and are not successful in the sense of the word. They are not hardworking people who have endured failures and struggles during their lives due to being financially secure from their parents.

Success is a subject that we Americans do not take lightly, and we seek success in various corners of our lives. On a more personal level, individuals try to establish successful careers, relationships, family statuses, and living situations. What good is a nice home without the perfect job, or the perfect job without the reliable connections with those close to you? America has made the objective of success our leading foot in the world, because without it, our self worth goes down rapidly. We continuously pride ourselves in being successful and leading lives that is fruitful of said success.

Success involves giving back to those who may not be able to help themselves. In the eyes of the church, it’s pretty much doing God’s work. You’re helping your brother’s, and your sister’s get on their feet and in doing so, you will reach success. Success has nothing to do with money, fame, popularity, and achievements, but it has everything to do with giving back. I try my best to always help those around me, even when they don’t want to help themselves. The way most people in America view success has everything to do with negative intentions. I wish there was some way we could make it clear how success should be measured.