Ahamadi Afsana Shaik
Keith Aubrey
English 101
October 31, 2024
Definition Essay
What is success? Success to me is not only defined by recognition and outer
achievement, but rather one feeling accomplished and proud for themselves as well. My
definition of success has two concepts to it. The first being how society views success, and the
second being personal or inner success. In my perspective both sides play important roles in the
broader picture.
Societal success only acknowledges the work of someone, but we as a society don’t care,
nor ask about the struggle it took for oneself to accomplish said work. Every mentioned success
has a common factor, in which being achievement, and recognition for one’s work. For example,
if one succeeds in getting an A in their class; then said success would be acknowledged and
congratulated by the person’s peers, but they would not ask about the hard work one had to put
into achieving that A. Even though someone accomplished something major society would not
know about the struggle that went into completing such a task.
Personal success is feeling successful for the growth and learning one feels they had
gained, but it is not entirely about the subject where oneself is getting recognition from. For
example, when I was in 10th grade, I had ended the year with straight A’s. My family and my
peers had all congratulated me in my success, and it had made me feel content. But to me passing
the year with straight A’s wasn’t the only accomplishment. I felt as if getting straight A’s was
expected of me, and the pressure of my peers in making sure I get said grades by the end of the
year had motivated me. What felt like a success to me was the fact that I got full points on my
math final. I had struggled in my math class all year long, I was frustrated that I could not get a
good grade in that class, but I had worked hard during the weeks leading up to my math final.
Accomplishing something as small and trivial as getting an A in a specific class that had been
difficult to me counts as success rather than the broader accomplishment being the only
individual.
Success is a journey rather than a destination, and the journey is full of responsibilities.
For instance, the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost depicts the
pull between rest and duty. In the poem the narrator is on horseback, and while he is riding he
pauses to admire the beauty of the snow-capped woods. The narrator is compelled to stay and
watch the beauty, but has responsibilities to fulfill.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. (Frost, 20)
This poem resonates with my definition on success because it reflects a journey that
balances external responsibilities with internal fulfillment. Success, to me, goes beyond societal
acknowledgement and external accomplishments; it also encompasses on personal growth,
dedicated effort, and inner fulfillment that shapes one’s journey. Both external and internal
measures of success are equally valuable in the broader picture of achievement.
