The Definition of Success

Success is making a difference in your life or the lives of others.  Being in a very important leadership role here at Cal High, one of my biggest personal goals for myself in school is making a difference on campus, whether that be planning events for the student body or getting students involved in more activities such as clubs and sports.  As a leadership class as a whole, our goal for the year has been to make a difference at school to improve school culture, and although there have been a few set-backs, as a class we are striving to initiate change.  Making a difference is such a broad definition of success, but success comes in different forms to different people.  You don't need money to be successful.  Success is something you define for yourself, not something that society can define for you.  My standards for success come from both my parents and teachers that I have had in the past and this year.  My parents show me success by making a difference in my life.  By providing for my brother and I, they show me what success looks like for a parent.  My dad shows me success in the professional world by making a difference in the pharmaceutical industry and providing a platform for doctors to communicate that was not available prior to the inception of his company.  My teachers show me success by making a difference in the lives of their students.  Although students don't always appreciate teachers, teachers show you success on a daily basis by teaching you information that is important in your future.  I will know that I have achieved success when I make a difference in other people's lives, as well as my own.  This happens often, and I like to say that I achieve my definition of success everyday.  Success shouldn't be something that is occasional, there should always be opportunities to be successful.  To be successful I am willing to do almost anything.  Success is such an important part of life, and to see the definition of success as achieving wealth, respect, or fame really bothers me.  Success shouldn't be defined as a material thing like money.  Success shouldn't be something that is more available to certain people.  Success should be attainable for all, and success should be something that is easily achievable, because when success is defined as something that isn't easy, people live their day-to-day lives feeling unsuccessful and worthless.  Changing the definition changes the meaning.  Success is achieving your goals, success is being happy, success is making a change, and success is making a difference.