Most people, at some time in their life, have aspired to be a CEO, a world class-musician, a pro athlete, or a internationally-renowned artist. To achieve these goals, though, a lot of hard work and dedication is required. A big reason that some people do accomplish these goals is likely the saying, “time is money.” This expression seems to have just always existed; its a part of our culture as much as is “winners never quit,” or “shoot for the stars.” All three of these, and “time is money” in particular, reinforce socially strengthened behaviors that many people don't even think twice about, even though subconsciously they obey them daily. Socially fostered conduct is often evident in a grandparent's letter of advice, or a counselor's suggestion to a student in relation to academics. However, is it always helpful to live by these ideals? Do the famous proverbs of old always benefit the observer? Although the maxim “time is money” is at the root of many a fame and fortune and inspires respectable character traits, time does not always lead to gain.
This adage, at first look, seems to suggest that wasting time is wasting money, and this is a valid, reasonable interpretation. Obviously, it does not mean that all time is money, because time sleeping does not usually equal a check. However, time in this context can also extend to mean effort, or work. Another definition, thus, could be that hard work corresponds to money. Money also has many meanings in this tenet; success, betterment, or happiness all express its feel. It is obvious why our society smiles on this axiom; most, if not all people, would agree that hard-working is a good character trait, while slacking is not. Nevertheless, a discussion of a few of the reasons that...
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...ed by, it is imperative that they are interpreted correctly and followed only in the right situations.
As has been shown, by and large culturally reinforced behaviors benefit society. It is debatable whether the great successes of our day or the past would have persevered in the face of the odds that confronted them without people or ideas that inspired them to keep going. Here is where society's famous maxims come into play, by providing a foundation on which those who desire success can build. More often than not, these aphorisms assist the seeker of prosperity. However, like all things, socially strengthened conduct is not without flaws or plain falsehoods. Although the dictum “time is money” can lead to the achievement of greatness, if an individual is not careful in his or her implementation, socially accepted axioms like this can and will result in failure.
Examples of this are people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, who were the perfect age during the computer revolution in 1975, when the personal computer was invented and made widely available. However, not every person born in the same year as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates became a multimillionaire. Why? The ones who became successful were those who took a risk, and were willing to work hard to make something out of the computer revolution. When looking at people who gained their success from the invention of personal computers, Gladwell points out that “These are stories… about people who were given a special opportunity to work really hard and seized it” (67). One of Bill Gates’ advantages was that he went to Lakeside High School, which had a computer lab in a time when most schools did not. Everyone at Lakeside had access to that computer lab, but only a few students grew up to be the creators of the world’s best computer companies. Those who became successful were the students like Bill Gates, who worked hard in that computer lab and grew up to be world-class programmers. If someone is given unique opportunities but is not willing to seize them, they will not gain any success from those opportunities. Success is self made because in order to be successful, one must take advantage of the unique chances they are
Time allocation, or time management, is a trait that everyone is capable of. However, there are people who tend to manage their time better than others. People often find themselves wasting time on unimportant activities. The time wasted can depend on the type of person they are, though. Say there is a successful businessman. That man is less likely to waste his time doing something unimportant than a teenager who doesn’t have their priorities straight. In the story, ‘Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”, Tom Benecke struggles with balancing the time spent on his work and time spent with his wife. In our generation, technology is all around us. Whether it be phones, computers, or video games, people are wasting away their lives doing activities
Living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, our culture has naturally valued prestige and luxuries. We admire fancy items and often judge other individuals by the clothes they wear, the car they drive, and the schools that they attend. The “American Dream” serves as a motivational factor for people; believing that hard work and dedication can bring “success” to ones’ life. Although this is partially true, it is difficult for individuals in the middle class and lower class.
"Anything of worth or value in life must be worked for." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
The citizens of today’s society do things over and over in their lives and this reflects what
...sportation for that reason. This theory also explains how integrity, diligence, persistence play a key role in the success of individuals and therefore in the success of the entire community.
I believe the media has a large influence on that. Actors, actresses, musicians, athletes and other stars are often posting about money, and other things that people think you need to be considered successful. I will hopefully never become largely influenced by society and try to fit in the point that I will do things that I don’t enjoy, just to do
Emerson’s notions of success are not based on the acquisition of material possessions, but on higher minded ideas such as earned respect from one’s peers and the value of contributing to the greater wellbeing of one’s community. I believe that Emerson’s perception of success is far superior to the traditional American model. Materialism perpetuates a vicious cycle of consumerism and debt, the very sort of cycle that has facilitated the current dire state of America’s economy. Adherences to the high minded notions of respect, genuine affection, and community building that Emerson espouses, however, can only contribute to making the world a better place.
Gladwell demonstrates that hard work does not get people to high places but a series of opportunities and other factors will. What people have grown up to think about hard work is not true and it is demonstrated through these various examples. People will not be able to succeed, practice, and master their skills without opportunities, timing, devotion, and moral support. There is no such thing as “rags to riches” because those people would not be rich unless they had opportunities in their life. Remember that with out these key factors, people will never be able to succeed.
Understanding where one’s natural impulses come from may be difficult to understand without looking at past generations and family history. Knowing that generations before us helped shape our development is important to note. Generational trends can help explain the importance of said values. Through analysis of my cultural genogram I found that many of my core values came from my Mexican culture, despite having had great exposure to values established by the dominant culture here in the United States. I found that my family over many generations regarded familismo, respeto, religion, and work ethic as highly important values. It is important to deeply analyze where these values came from, how they may be oppressed, and how
This ideal can be seen in such characters as Benjamin Franklin, and others. These men are self-reliant and steadfast, they are unafraid to do what it takes to get ahead. Franklin frequently took things into his own hands, working to better his life and circumstances. When he sets out to achieve moral perfection, he writes “I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” (Franklin, par. 19). This sense of determination has many admirable qualities, but one must be careful to keep this determination from turning into arrogance. For, modern Americans have stemmed from this sense of self-determination, into a more self-gain-centered
"Society never advances. It recedes as fast on one side as it gains on the other. ... For every thing that is given something is taken." Emerson, "Self Reliance", p 169
In the end, what we learn from this article is very realistic and logical. Furthermore, it is supported with real-life examples. Culture is ordinary, each individual has it, and it is both individual and common. It’s a result of both traditional values and an individual effort. Therefore, trying to fit it into certain sharp-edged models would be wrong.
Many of the reasons behind this have already been discussed throughout this essay by stating the reasons as to why hard work and career are both more important. One of which is because social status can lead to negative affects in an individual. It is often shown through texts such as television films how a high ranking social status can ruin one’s morals. Films such as James Cameron’s, Titanic, show how people with higher social statuses can often lack the ability to show any respect at all to those whose social status is lower than their own. Due to this, a social status does not hold any information as to what kind of person someone truly is. Based on this, social status should not be viewed as more important than either hard work or a
One positive argument about social stratification is that it is necessary in order to get difficult tasks performed, because only people that are trained to do certain tasks can do them. Another argument is that people naturally tend to accept a status hierarchy and their place in it. Life is said to be more stable and serene in stratified societies. The culture found in a stratified society is more satisfying than in a homogenized society, some say. On the other hand, “A society that encourages status striving produces in contrast a good deal of brushing, disappointment, and ugly