The Complexity of Success

Want to be happy? Of course you do. A popular belief is that success is a guaranteed way to be happy. In fact, most parents follow this guideline. We're taught as children that if we want to be happy, we must first become successful. In the stressful world we live in today, happiness is in short supply. Because of this, our parents push us to work hard so we can become successful. Guaranteed happiness sounds great to everybody, but in reality there is no way to get it. Although the concept of success and and the emotion of happiness do share some connection, they do not fully influence each other as many believe. Furthermore, although success appears to be simple, it's actually rather complex. Parents, and most people, view success like crossing a finish line; get the scholarship, land the great job, buy a big house. Success is more like a lifelong marathon. You need to continue to work to be successful, once you reach it you need to keep moving forward in order to stay successful; earn good grades in college, work towards the next promotion, keep on top of the bills. As you can see, success isn't as it seems; it isn't black and white, doesn't control happiness, and isn't just a finish line.
Imagine working really hard and getting no where. This isn’t a very uncommon feeling. Working hard alone doesn't make someone successful. In fact, there is a long road to success for most people. For example, many factory workers spend years upon years working hard for a company, yet never get a promotion. On the other hand, some factory workers work for a couple years and they move up in the company. The difference between the two isn't hard work, it's something different. Anyone can master a certain skill, whether it be related to a job, ...

... middle of paper ...

...comes home to a happy family to the rich man down the street who doesn't have a care in the world. This all goes to show that even being considered successful doesn't bring happiness; and being happy, of course, doesn't make you successful.
In the end, the concept of success is a tricky one. On the outside, success appears to be simple; however becoming successful takes more than just hard work. It takes time, effort, and a skill set. On top of this, success requires maintenance; once you achieve it, you must work to keep it. Furthermore, although the concept of success and the emotion of happiness appear to be on in the same, they are far from it. Examples of people who are successful but not happy, happy but not successful, and both happy and successful are all around us. All-in-all, there is far more to the concept of success than what's shown on the surface.