Self motivation and self determination are the most important ways to succeed. In this essay I will use, “Learning to Read and Write” by Fredrick Douglass, “The Lonely, Good Company of Books” by Richard Rodriguez, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and an interview of Patti Read to argue that self motivation and self determination are the most important elements to becoming successful. First, I will frame my argument, and then I will incorporate my first source, followed by my second source, and then I will have a paragraph that will deal with the opposition, followed up with my final piece of evidence.
In this essay I will be identifying the most important ways of thinking about oneself in relationship to the world that can help lead a person toward success. I will first be using Fredrick Douglass, an American abolitionist, orator, and journalist, to show how his self motivation led to his success. Then, I will use Richard Rodriguez, an American writer, to give an example of how the determination to succeed is an important mindset for somebody who wants to live a fulfilling life. Followed up by a paragraph about Malcolm Gladwell, a journalist, author, and pop sociologist, stating the opposite point of view, that success is influenced by culture. Finally, I will use an interview done on Patti Read, a teacher, to give examples of how self determination, self motivation, and hard work have put her in the very successful position she is currently living in.
Being self motivated is an important part to becoming a successful person, as it is shown by Fredrick Douglass through his personal experiences. Douglass, being a young black slave, was not allowed to go to school, but his mistress educated him nonetheless. He states in this arti...
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...ple, such as Malcolm Gladwell, accept the point of view claiming that success is influenced by culture. Gladwell uses evidence such as plane crashes that occurred in Korean Airlines and how the culture of the pilots of the planes influenced the crashes. Gladwell claims that “Each of us has his or her own distinct personality. But overlaid on top of that are tendancies and assumptions and reflexes handed down to us by the history of the community we grew up in, and those differences are extraordinarily specific” (Gladwell 202). The co-pilot on Avianca 052, for example, did not know how to communicate with the tower in the urgent matter that was needed to tell them that the plane was out of fuel and the need to land immediately. Because the co-pilot did not make clear the urgency of landing the tower did not let them land, resulting in the crashing of the Avianca.
In “The Matthew Effect”, Canadian journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell claims that circumstances determine who is and isn’t successful. In “Mind-sets and Equitable Education”, Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck argues that those with growth mindsets are more eligible to obtain and experience success than those with fixed mindsets. Although these texts may seem to contradict one another, they are actually similar in many ways.Gladwell’s and Dweck’s texts may differ in the sense that one regards to the circumstances leading to success, meanwhile the other claims that believing in oneself can lead to success, but are quite similar due to the fact that circumstances could help motivate and encourage one to accomplish their goals.
We all understand what success is, but what allows for a person to become successful? Malcolm Gladwell wrote his book Outliers to study this topic and settle once and for all why some people are more successful than others. Gladwell uses the success stories of people throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to discover just exactly what it is that allows for one to be successful. He explains that there is much more to becoming successful than just natural talent and skill. Gladwell states in Outliers that success is the product of the time we were born, our dedication, and most of all where we come from.
Fredrick Douglass once said that “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” Douglass grew up as a slave and when he was 20 years old he took the riskiest journey of his life to escape from slavery. The Narrative of Fredrick Douglass has a lot of points to reflect on; however, here are couples I’ve found important. His autobiography gave a glimpse into the horrors of slavery. The author shares his experiences of seeing his aunt being beaten and not knowing anything even their own birthdates. He makes assumptions about the slave owners lives before becoming slave masters, and assumes the reader will have sympathy for the slaves and try to see their side.
Whereas Chua and Rubenfeld provide ample evidence, Malcolm Gladwell's convinces me that his factors are what most determine success. In conclusion, then, as I stated earlier, the factors that most determine success are still an ongoing debate.
In reading The Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, I, like others, found myself to be deeply moved. The way in which Mr. Douglass walked me through each stage of his “career” as a slave gave me a better understanding of the African American slaves’ struggle. I realized in reading this mans story that he was a gifted individual and I pondered over where his strength came from? It is true and obvious that Mr. Frederick Douglass was an extremely gifted man, but with no mother or father to guide him, what motivated this man to accomplish his goal? For this man did indeed become free.
In the Narrative of Fredrick Douglass, Fredrick Douglass gives an integral account of what life was like for enslaved people during the 19th century and likewise makes it a paramount issue. He was born a slave, however, he had the mental capacity to see himself free. Douglass’s narrative explores a plethora of themes which proved vitally relevant to his freedom. The themes of self-determination, self-worth and enslavement resounds clearly throughout the narrative and is told with only the genius that Fredrick Douglass can tell it. Similarly, Douglass ultimately uses these themes as liberating factors in his life. Most importantly, Fredrick Douglass was able to bridge many gaps because of his inside perspective on the institution of slavery.
First, the Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass shows us that black people must work hard, through the experiences of Frederick Douglass, to have the slightest amount of dignity. Throughout the United States’ history of slavery, blacks have been treated badly and had to work hard throughout their whole entire lives. Frederick Douglass has many experiences that show us that black people must work hard to get any dignity. His first experience is when he is a young boy, Frederick says, “My connection with Master Daniel was of some advantage to me”
While going on a journey to be successful there are many up and downs that can create a stronger person or knock a person down. When a person keeps on fighting over and over without giving up he or she are described to be ambitious like Jane Golden who was mentioned in Purpose by Angela Duckworth. Continuing to go further and further a person will run into others who are in need of help, and the right thing to do is be caring like Louie Zamperini who is viewed as a hero in today’s world and in Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Once reaching a stage in life that is comfortable a person will soon discovered happiness. Principal Ms.Short is starting find happiness at Solon High School. Because success is an accomplishment that is very complex through a long period, it is a mixture of
As I entered high school, I focused my desire for individual success on my personal and academic life. I felt an urgency not only to do my best but also to be the best in every class. Motivated by competition, I turned inward, avoiding group study sessions. In addition to losing sight of the team -- of my friends and how we could learn together -- I also lost sight of my own needs, failing to seek basic accommodations for my hearing impairment. Trapped within the walls of this MJ-like worldview, I defined success solely in terms of individual greatness -- in terms of how much better I did than my peers.
If someone wants to succeed in life and stay recognized by superiors, then he or she ought to appear hardworking. A person begins with setting goals. There are two categories, the first, “be” goals and the second, “do” goals. In other words, ask yourself, "What to be?" or "What to achieve?" Four categories of goals consist of wealth, health, relationships, and self-fulfillment which equal success. Working diligently to finish a task demonstrates how to live a successful life. Given these points, Thomas Edison, Helen Keller and Harriet Tubman, all exceptional achievers, found that prosperity undoubtedly comes along for everyone who perseveres.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you someone else is the greatest accomplishment.” This quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was a man who always put his education as a top priority, so I highly admire him. As I read this quote, I realized that my greatest accomplishment is something that I am constantly progressing and excelling in, my education. There are three reasons that I will explain as to why my education is my greatest accomplishment. First, education has never been a factor in any of my family member’s lives. Secondly, it took a long time for me to get on track with my educational values. Lastly, I will explain how far my education has gotten me.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Outliers, he defines success as “a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard to make sense of something that most people would give up on” (233). He also argues that there is no such thing as ‘self-made success’ and that there are always hidden advantages that help us to be successful. I also have had hidden advantages like people who always pushed me to do my best and early education of why school is important.
The definition of success varies around the world, but according to Malcolm Gladwell its achievement can be broken down into a few components. Although Gladwell never truly establishes credibility in his book Outliers, he still backs up his proposed theories with reputable studies and sources which intrigue the audience to keep reading.The purpose of Outliers was to enlighten people about the different elements of success while also informing them of real life situations where seemingly less than likely people beat the odds and became the powerful figures that they are today. The intended audience is anyone who is looking to become successful or who is perhaps interested in the idea of success itself and wishes to learn more about it. Understandably, a secondary audience could be high school students who are about to venture out into the world on their own because with this book they will hopefully start paying attention to different factors of their lives and seizing opportunities that they may have otherwise passed up. Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 Hour Rule and also how I.Q. does not amount to much without creativity. He also speaks of how chance opportunity comes into play and that the distant background of a person still reflects how they handle situations in their present day life. Gladwell’s Outliers successfully informs the reader about the different components that add up to success with probable theories and credible studies to make for an interesting and motivational read.
After reading both “Self Reliance,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson and “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” by Frederick Douglass, one might notice a trend in what both writers regard as the key to happiness or self-fulfillment. Emerson and Douglass both imply that acquiring knowledge is what people should strive for throughout their lives. However, their perceptions on the kind of knowledge should be attained is where their ideas diverge; Emerson is the one that encourages one to develop the soul whereas with Douglass, it is the mind.
“You do a task to the best of your abilities and watch the aftermath pay off,” my