Keys To Success
A look into the factors that drive success and what differentiates the most successful people in various careers from the rest.
Definition of Success
I believe that the word success is something that is truly impossible to define. If you look at the Webster definition of the word ‘success’, it is “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” The problem with this definition is that everyone has their own idea of success.
I asked Olympian Jeremy Dodson who ran at the 2016 Olympic Games as well as the 2011 and 2015 World Championships in Athletics for track, “How did you get so successful?” His response surprised me. He said, “Successful? I don’t believe that I am successful yet.” How could a man who competed against the fastest men in the world at the Olympics not view himself as successful? He then said, “I haven’t won a medal yet.” This made it clear that success for him meant winning a medal. This is why everyone has their own view of success.
To most, comedian and actor Robin Williams had it all. He had fame, money, and a killer sense of humor. However, to him it wasn't enough. He unfortunately ended up taking his own life, but he truly exemplifies the idea that everyone thinks of success differently.
This idea of "personal success" can be applied to anything. Is a “successful quarterback” someone who led the team to the Superbowl, one who is making large sums of money, one with the best stats, one who was a stud in college, or one who simply made it to the NFL? Is a successful CEO someone who has made tons of money, one who is loved by all their employees, one who started with nothing, or one with the most recognized company. When it comes to questions like these, everyone has their own definition of what success is.
*For these reasons, the project does not attempt to define success, but rather discover the factors that drive success.
I asked Olympian Jeremy Dodson who ran at the 2016 Olympic Games as well as the 2011 and 2015 World Championships in Athletics for track, “How did you get so successful?” His response surprised me. He said, “Successful? I don’t believe that I am successful yet.” How could a man who competed against the fastest men in the world at the Olympics not view himself as successful? He then said, “I haven’t won a medal yet.” This made it clear that success for him meant winning a medal. This is why everyone has their own view of success.
To most, comedian and actor Robin Williams had it all. He had fame, money, and a killer sense of humor. However, to him it wasn't enough. He unfortunately ended up taking his own life, but he truly exemplifies the idea that everyone thinks of success differently.
This idea of "personal success" can be applied to anything. Is a “successful quarterback” someone who led the team to the Superbowl, one who is making large sums of money, one with the best stats, one who was a stud in college, or one who simply made it to the NFL? Is a successful CEO someone who has made tons of money, one who is loved by all their employees, one who started with nothing, or one with the most recognized company. When it comes to questions like these, everyone has their own definition of what success is.
*For these reasons, the project does not attempt to define success, but rather discover the factors that drive success.
Topics Of InterestSuccess Pyramid |
Unique TraitsFaith |
Real LifeOther |