Success is in the eye of the beholder

  Like beauty, success is in the eye of the beholder. Someone’s success is formed by their own initial goals, not by money, appearances, relationships, or most importantly, other people’s opinions. If someone’s dream was to work in the corner shop, if they achieve that then they are no less successful than the CEO of a multi-million pound finance company – the level of ambition may be different, but if everyone was the same, then there would be no more corner shops.

  With the influx of modern media in the twenty-first century, being presented with constant images and stories of the perfect lives of the rich and famous is enough to make most people wonder what they had done to deserve their merely average, routine lifestyle. Let me tell you, there are plenty of people out there who would love nothing more than to know where their next meal is coming from. Has the Western world enhanced our opportunities so much that there is in fact no way to reach our full potential, making anything less than perfect feel like a failure?

  If you asked someone what they wanted more than anything, there are many aesthetic and material things that would rank very highly on their list of desires. And rightly so, because who doesn’t want a beautiful house, holidays in the Caribbean and a gorgeous partner? What many people would overlook is the most basic aim of all – happiness. Because, as much of a cliché as it is, money doesn’t buy happiness. Of course it may mean you can be unhappy in a nicer place, but there is a reason why a huge regret for popular celebrities or workaholic business people is that they didn’t get to spend enough time with their friends and families.

  Making smaller expectations in the long-run will mean you achieve a better result overall. By all means have long-term career and relationship goals, but don’t let them define your success. Make your aim to be happy – do something everyday to put a smile on someone else’s face and it will do the same for you. Spend time with people you love, indulge in your favourite pastimes and don’t beat yourself up over a slice of pizza. If you can consider yourself truly happy, then in my opinion, that’s as successful as you can ever get.

By Danielle Kent 
@IAMdaniellekent