No!!! This is not another inspiration speech on how to attain success in whatever you do. This is more an observation on what I think nowadays holds the key for people who are successful in the modern world. Also, this is not a piece where I am pouring out my jealous for anybody, anyone.
My dad always used to say, “Son, whatever we do in life, we should do it honestly, be true to yourself and we would achieve what we have set out to achieve, attain our destiny”. As a kid, I had no alternative but to listen and follow my dad’s work. So I began my life’s journey, took on both sorrow as well as joy in whatever I did. The tension of studies, the emotions of a good/bad score, I had everything in life. Got good marks, attended college, did my degree, got recruited into a good company. In this short journey, I had the usual ups and downs with the ups playing a dominant role. However, when I look back now, 3 years since my graduation, I don’t think the ups in my life hold any value. I wonder, what is it that has led me to this position in life?
People say that the foundation of your success is laid down in the early years of your life. Well, in that case, in my early years, I have been a dedicated student, always completing my homework, being disciplined when it comes to exams and studies. I carried this attitude into college. Being a regular student in college, having 90% attendance, being a teacher favourite, being on top o my game, I thought I had laid that foundation well. But now, looking at the situation, I feel lost! All the friends/acquittances I had during my study years, those who were exactly opposite me, have achieved something in life. Something big, something interesting, something which even I couldn’t achieve. They have achieved success!!
So, what is it that drives a person to success? Is it the financial backing? Well if that is so, then unfortunately I didn’t have that. Was that a mistake on my part? Should the amount of money in your family’s account determine how your success should be? Bottom line: Can Success be bought?
The answer is a complex one. It’s a yes and no. Yes because, money allows you to secure the tools (degree, skills etc) to attain success. Money can also help you buy yourself a job, something which is also considered as a corner stone for getting success. No because, there is a limit to which you can use cash to go up the success ladder. Wait, does it mean one has to buy aka bribe i.e use the dishonest path to glory? As I said the answer is a complex one. But I will try to explain this.
Success is like a linear equation. You need to balance both sides. It’s a system. The amount of inputs you provide, based on the nature of the input, you get an appropriate output. People who make use of money and other negative means to achieve success might get it eventually, but what they fail to see is how much grander the success would have been if some amount of money was substituted with hard work and honesty! As for people like us, well, once we really come face to face with success, our life has come full circle.
