Success

I’ve always believed that success is more probable for those individuals that set goals and then work hard to achieve them. I know it sounds logical, but it’s a well known fact that there are individuals out there who believe they are entitled to something only because they want what someone else has. Unfortunately most of them are unwilling to exert any effort of their own to attain these coveted somethings. I realize there remains a great number of inequities in most aspects of life (a product of our diversity and individuality), but in those cases where everyone has an equal opportunity there still are those who refuse to earn anything by their own efforts.

At what point in our development is this risk-reward behavior learned? When and how do we adopt a personal work ethic? What responsibility, if any, do each of us have to ensure that the next generation understands the importance of working hard to achieve goals – or success – as I define it? Do people need to be guaranteed a minimum standard of living? How about a maximum standard of living? If I could answer these questions I could probably fix a lot of the problems in this world. Obviously I can’t.

What I do know, in my experience of working with young college students, is everyone is different. What works for one individual isn’t guaranteed to work for another. The formulas for success are not the same. Despite how society might label them, I’ve learned never, ever to write anyone off. We may give these students an equal opportunity with their education, but it’s up to them to utilize what they’ve learned to achieve the career and success they desire. Nobody can guarantee it. It’s their responsibility.