DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL? WELL, DO YOU?
The topic of success is a highly contentious one. Many of us want and yearn to be successful. Well, that is not necessarily the case. Many of us only talk about success but oftentimes do not want to exert the effort necessary to obtain this success.
Success requires effort and sacrifice. If one reads biographies and associate with successful, affluent and wealthy people, the latter often sacrifice much in order to obtain their success. Successful people have their eyes on the prize. They are not loathe to make enormous sacrifices and/or endure privations.
Many go without the basics in order to achieve something much more worthwhile. They go to seminars, return to school, obtain further education, if necessary. They are willing to extend themselves and are not afraid of smart work and strategizing. Successful people are long-term thinkers, they just do not think of the present but of the future.
Many people are not successful because they do not want to make the prerequisite sacrifices and take the risks necessary for success. Yes, they purport to wanting to be successful but they refuse to walk the walk. It analogous to a person wanting to go to heaven but is afraid to die. There are conditions which are crucial and essential for success and many people simply refuse to take such steps. Let's discuss this.It all depends on your definition of success. Someone can be successful in having a modest home, spouse, children, food clothing and love. Success doesn't necessarily mean money. Money equals greed and greed equals evil. I am successful with a job, a home, food and clothing. I don't need diamonds and expensive furniture or have to eat caviar. I've rubbed elbows with the rich and famous and find them incredibly selfish and each one of them doesn't leave the house without a mirror in their back pocket.
Personally, I don't like people who have millions upon millions of dollars and spit on the blue collar worker (yes, this is in all cases). Didn't you state that if it weren't for the rich then the poor wouldn't have jobs? Tell that to the workers in Bangladesh who perished in sweatshops so that the rich corporations could save a few bucks so they (Wal Mart Corporate sitting in leather chairs) could make a huge profit and bigger bonuses. Had those jobs stayed where they should have there would have been safety measures taken in the mills.
If it wasn't for the blue collar worker there wouldn't be the richMs. Garrett, why do you hate the rich and highly successful so much? If a person has the talent and ambition to be rich, I see nothing at all wrong with that! Not everyone is one class. Not all rich people are bad and not all poor people are good. There are many poor people who could do better but they do not wish to do so but complain of their penurious socioeconomic circumstances, hating and deriding those who are more socioeconomically successful than they are.
If a person wants more and eat caviar, I see nothing wrong with that whatsoever. Having a lot of money is not equivalent to greed. That is impoverished thinking. People who view money as evil will never succeed nor obtain wealth. That is basic law of attraction. That probably explains why some people are poor while others are wealthy. One cannot hate money and wealth and expect to be socioecnomically successful. If one hates money, what is there to expect but poverty, penury, and constant socioeconomic struggle.
I have meant many poor people with that attitude. They deride money and wonder why they are constantly struggling and staying 1 paycheck away from homelessness socioeconomically. Money and success are not evil. Having a lot of money means that one can invest, be comfortable, travel, and enjoy the finer things in life. Ms. Garrett, please change your attitude regarding money, wealth, and success. If you do not, you will always be impoverished and living from hand to mouth.
I've always liked the quote, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."
Para, see there YOU go! Smart and on target as usual. That should be changed to the smarter I work, the luckier I get. Yes, there is a law regarding success. It is simple, logistic mathematics. Ratio of output to reward. More output, more reward. The problem is that some people expect immense rewards for a little effort-hmmm!
Which is a quote from golfer, Arnold Palmer, no doubt that was the same thought process Tiger Woods went through.
If I had to pick between success and happiness I know which one I would want.
Success is a debatable term as it means different things to different people. For example I would not see a big house and car as a sign of success as the person might not own them. Business wise success brings added responsibility for those who are dependent on you for jobs.
I dispute that it always follows that the harder you work the more rewards you get. There are other factors involved sometimes, let us for ease call it randomness. Maybe it is just because I see things from a different angle.In my opinion success *is* happiness. It is doing those things that support your happiness and that of your loved ones. Not just getting money.
I think success is an entirely personal thing. I was offered a large promotion a year ago. The job was a great one with a very large pay rise - however, I would lose the following:
-I currently work at home once a week during winter and twice a week during summer.
-I currently start work at 7:30am and leave at 4:30pm.
I currently commute an average of 10 hours or so in Summer and 15 hours or so in winter (per week) - a total of 600 hours per year. With the changes to my work routing I would on average commute 20-25 hours a week - a total of up to 1200 hours.
So the increase comes to 600 hours for the year - that's effectively 600 less hours a year to spend with my family.
While the extra money and future benefits would have been great, we decided that the work life balance would tip totally the wrong way - I declined the promotion.
I consider myself a success (I still have a great job) as I put my family, health and happiness before my career...Goals are personal, yeah, so I agree with SimeyC.
There are givens too, you can't be a football player if you don't meet physical requirements!
Common sense and hard work do it all the time!Right, he/she "could" be a successful person; however, in this society, he/she is considered to be an abysmal failure to say the least. Maybe unforseen events beyond his/her understanding and handling occurred. Maybe he/she became sick, lost job, had no savings, lost home etc.
So many people are not in charge of their lives. Many have been so inculcated that they are victims of destiny and fate, instead of being proactive in their lives.In Cardiff, UK there used to be a man who sat outside a store in a mound of coats and blankets with his trusty old dog. You could pity him and think he was a failure. However, he was a very successful accountant (or Lawyer) who decided he didn't want to live in the rat race any more and dropped out - he spent his time watching life with his dog; he lived off small donations etc.
If you asked him, he would tell you he loved his life - no pressure, no debt, no worry - just him and his dog.
Perspective is an amazing thing....No, the man in question is seriously mentally amiss. No one in his/her thinking and/or correct mind want to be in that dismal situation. He is clearly pathological to say the least. This action is clearly avoiding any type of responsibililty.
The definition of a mature, stable adult is to live a supportable livelihood and to have a roof over his/her head. Anyone who chooses not to achieve and/or avoid responsibility by electing to be homeless is truly in need of some type of psychological help.Functional adults have jobs/careers-in essence, they WORK. They don't bum around and live off donations. That is the ultimate definition of sloth. People work, pure and simple. Immature adults are the only one who bum around and live off donations. Adult= work, making a livelihood, and taking responsibility for his/her own life. If one is unable to do that, then he/she is not the true definition of a functional adult in my book or anyone else with a functional, coherent mind.
"Functional adults have jobs/careers-in essence, they WORK."
I agree with this statement to a certain extent. However, just because someone decides to not work and to live off donations isn't necessarily someone with a mental disorder. Begging / living of the backs of others goes on in all walks of life - look at the people that attach themselves to celebrities; look at the beggars in New York who take home three or four hundred dollars a day - they chose to beg for a living and many earn more than minimum wage.
It may not be morally right, and may be considered immature by some - but it's something that exists and will not go away - part of being an adult is looking for opportunities to live and prosper - if that means sitting in a street and begin, then that's OK - it may be distasteful, may not give back to society - but it's a choice they make...I really do not have a high regard for people who choose to beg. There are other options available. There are jobs around. I see want ads everyday. These jobs may not be the dream jobs at the moment but they are jobs nevertheless. Anyone who chooses begging has to be lazy and lacking in work ethics. If you are able to work, you should do so. ANY job is indefinitely better than begging.
Agreed - just saying it's a choice they make - not one I would make or agree with! Although it would be nice to have a life without worry.
I guess that if I had enough money to live for the rest of my life, I could do something like this - any donations I get would then be given to charity......not sure if the wife would like living in a pile of blankets on the street though!People who are homeless and/or live by begging are often in a quite precarious situation. In essence, they live and/or endure a life of harshness and endless worry. People who are homeless are at the mercy of the elements for one and are at the mercy of predators who prey on the homeless. Being homeless is not a light matter at all. It is an extremely hellish existence. Pray that you never be homeless and always be socioeconomically comfortable or better with a beautiful home.
Yes, being homeless is a hellish exhistance, one of which I am sure you have never experienced. I don't loath the rich. I loath the rich who take from their employees in order to gain more themselves. Seriously, how much money do you need? When you die you can't take it with you. Good for some that can eat Godiva chocolates and eat caviar. I'm happy fishing, hunting, being away from the hustle and bustle of a large city (of which I worked in for over 20 years). I had a lot of money at one time, but money to some doesn't necessarily buy happiness. I would be happy with a job, a roof over my head and the ability to pay my bills. If I need furniture I find it and repair it and it's mine or I shop at thrift stores.
However, even living a modest life is impossible. You try living on 20 hours a week at $7.25/hour, having to pay $500 rent plus electric, water, garbage. Then you have food to buy. Well, you could go dumpster diving for your food as plenty of convenience stores throw out good food on a daily basis. But don't get caught or you'll go to jail for stealing.
Why can't the super rich help with: Creating jobs for Americans, Providing shelter and a temporary home for single parents such as the program like Restoration House, Why can't they donate to help fix up a home in a neighborhood to update electrical or plumbing or putting on a new roof?
My brother has diabetes and the insurance company made him change his meds for a cheaper med.......which.....wait for it.....has just been recalled for containing powdered glass as it was made in a non-compliant facility in pakistan. Uh.......no wonder he hasn't been feeling well.
It's the Greed I loath. If we had jobs here in America we would be #1 and not #14 in the world. We wouldn't have the amount of homeless people on the streets as we do today. These people want to work, believe me, you try working less than 40 hours, no benefits, put food on the table for your family, have car problems, can't pay your heating or water bills let alone rent because the landlord just raised your rent, you end up homeless on the street anyway. get sick and can't pay your doctor bills, oh I forgot about having to be bilingual in order to get a job as well.
You wouldn't make it one night living on the streets of New York. It's so easy to help the homeless and I bet you walk by them everyday (quickly) Some have just given up because there is no hope. This doesn't make them bad people, it makes our government bad people! Read my latest hub
If you are super rich, good for you. Don't flaunt it and do something to help create jobs. Don't donate your money overseas, charity begins at home.Homelessness hangs over most people's head. An overwhelming majority of us, even the upper middle class, are paychecks away from that precarious situation. That is why when one works, please do not spend foolishly but $ave and inve$t as much as one can. With this precarious and tenuous employment situation, especially in at will states, at least when one gets fired, downsized, and/or laid off, one will have some type of ne$t egg. Each time I think about the situation, it totally unnerves me! The world is becoming darker and darker. There is a new paradigm coming, one either have to adjust, thrive, or sink.
Yes, there is a new paradigm coming! And if the world is becoming darker and darker maybe you need to change the criteria for your perception of it and the word success.
Open your eyes, there is still beauty, kindness, sharing, thoughtfulness and so many positive aspects to life on this planet but if one is so busy worrying about what they can accumulate, they rarely have time to enjoy anything. Sort of like the rich man with the 200 classic cars in a showroom with a staff to keep them pristine, will never have as much joy with a car as two sisters getting a used convertible and enjoying every mile they travel in it.
I think like me, many adults who have had more and would at one time have thought what they had was defined as success are now seeing that bling, materialistic binges and excesses have gotten old and tiresome and that simplifying your life is both healthy for your body as well as your psyche. To me success is being able to cover the basics, a healthy body, a happy family and a few good friends.Yes, the world is getter darker although there is much beauty in it. In order to survive in today's corporate environment, one must almost have to possess a predatory mentality. No, it is not pretty. It is the me or them mentality. In today's fast paced corporate world, one must pounce or be pounced upon. It is the killer mentality. It is more evident especially in the economic downturn. However, there are a few ethical people who do succeed despite the predatory morass.
Exactly. It is a very dark world we live in. But if We The People stuck together and helped each other We can make it a better place. A place where everyone helps each other such as we did 50 years ago. That's all I am saying. Just because one is homeless doesn't mean they are mentally ill or an alcoholic. There are so many families that have been seperated because of the lack of jobs as they are all being outsourced. This world is just not like it used to be which means everyone needs to get on the bandwagon and help thy neighbor. I just want to see this happen, yes, I was homeless and living in a tent, I am now living in a basement which I am so thankful for, but it's not permanent. I used to travel around the country going to trials and mediations investigating wrongful death claims for major insurane companies. Buy outs and downsizing and insurance companies only wanting to hire young people and pay them less. I'm trying to get my jewelry business started again, all I need is $25 to get started. I'm just too old and crippled to stand on the street corner.
I just ask if each person helps one person then we would all be in a better position. Please read my latest hub.
Just a couple of comments, Sarrah, in reply to your questions.
The uber rich DO donate, and in quantities far more than most people will earn in a lifetime. It may not be to where you think it should go, but they do donate. The problem is that it's never enough. No matter how much they give the cry will always go up that it's not enough. Were I rich I know I would get very tired of that.
For the rich to create a job, there must be a market for what the job will produce. That isn't easy and often isn't possible at all unless you want the rich to simply donate more money while calling it a job. If a product CAN be found, there is fierce competition, meaning that either wages are low or it becomes another charity operation, paying out more in wages than it takes in.
Fixing up the homes can be done, but by whom? Should Bill Gates provide $10,000 to fix up an apartment complex that someone else owns and that the residents won't lift a finger to improve themselves? If a rented low income home needs a roof, why isn't the resident up there swinging a hammer? It's not rocket science - I did my own this year with a little guidance from a roofer and while it's work, anyone can do it.
Just a couple of thoughts, what you are asking for isn't as simple as you make it out to be.I understand that, just like habitat for humanity, the home owners need to put in their fair share of the work as well. What I'm talking about is helping the elderly, or the single parent. People who will keep up with the work that is done and does help do the work but doesn't have the $ or the know how. Yes, there are many lazy people out in the world who won't lift a finger. If you can't try to help yourself then you are destined for a bad life.
But together, we can help. What about the teenager who is now out on his/her own after being in foster care. They may not have skills or know what love is. They are lost and alone and need advise and help. There is an organization called Restoration House who takes in single mothers for 2 years and under the supervision of social workers that helps these mothers put together a life plan. AFter 2 years at the house they are able to be on their own with a job and are self sufficient. Some times people just need a little help and guidance. We are not born with these qualities nor are we born with coping skills. These are skills that are learned. If we don't have them growing up some are lost.There is a problem with a renter doing the work from the legal standpoint as well. I'm a retired electrician and would be glad to donate my help and knowledge to re-wire a building, but the law states that unless you are a licensed electrician you can't touch a wire unless it is your own residence. I would have to do the entire job myself - not possible in an apartment complex.
There ARE some great programs, but they are very limited. People here can team together to actually build their own homes, and there have been a handful built that way. The problem is that it's just a drop in the bucket of what is needed.
There are also programs like the Restoration House, but very, very little for the single male. That's an area that most definitely needs to be addressed but it doesn't carry the emotional appeal of a woman with kids and is simply ignored for the most part.
No generally it is definitely not a choice they make. A very large proportion are suffering from serious mental illness and should be in a treatment facility, not on the street. Many of the rest have substance abuse problems and should again be in a treatment facility or at least managed such as on a methadone program. Some of the rest are runaways from abusive homes and someone should be helping them too.
Mental illness and addiction means you actually cannot make rational choices and you need someone to come in and help. As a society that is something we should do. Because expecting this group to make good choices is like expecting a person with two broken legs to walk.
The balance are simply absolutely broke and as a result cannot get tenancy anywhere, or a job. because they system actively reject people who don't have a residence. If you literally have no money how to you make and print a CV, dress nice and attend an interview? If you are disabled and can;t work you can't get a benefit without a residential address (which is a lovely Catch 22). How do you get references for a landlord? I assure you elderly who worked all their lives and decent families, even with their kids, are now living in homeless shelters and tent cities in the middle of winter. It's appalling.Yes, decent people are in shelters and can't get jobs because lack of clothing and residence. Now, if the more fortunate would donate their clothing to the less fortunate such as work clothes, a way to clean up etc (see my latest hub) then maybe, just maybe they could find a job. Everyone needs help at least once in their lifetime. If you don't have family or friends there is no one you can trust and turn to for help. Hell, our veterans who are returning home now with no arms or legs are living on the street, not because of mental health issues, it's because they can't find a job.
Clothing should not be a problem; people donate uncountable tons of clothes every year.
A shower IS a problem though. Few will invite a homeless man into their home to clean up and for very good reason - see Psyche's list of the type of people who are homeless. I have twice taken in homeless people I knew until they could get on their feet again - laid off and lost their homes as a result - but would never simply open the door to a homeless stranger that I know nothing about.Let cities and larger towns bring in shower trucks. They are not expensive and there will be less sickness among the homeless. I bet with a shower shave and haircut (which can also be donated on site) these homeless will feel more like human beings and have more self worth so they can go out and look for a job.
As far as the clothing goes, very little goes to the actual homeless. They are donated to thrift stores. They need to be handed out to the homeless. Due to the lack of room the shelters won't take clothing.
psycheskinner - sorry to mislead - I (we) were discussing a particular case where an accountant in Cardiff, UK chose to drop out - there are some other similar cases.
I agree - the majority of the homeless are not there by choice.
Psychologically what matters is the proportion of income given to charity (that is a reasonable measure of 'degree of sacrifice'). A measure where Americans are near the bottom of the list of first world nations.
And an area where the Gates's excel. Just their provision of rotavirus in Mexico has saved thousands of lives.Clothing is still a problem. Especially warm coats, job interview clothing, and clothing in large sizes.
In 2010 over 20 billion pounds of clothing and over 300 million pairs of shoes were thrown in landfills. These are clothing that have ‘gone out of style’ or just are not selling through retailers and wholesalers, not to mention that they come from our own closets. Instead of retailers and wholesalers donating these items they are destroyed and thrown in a dumpster.
Empty your closets. If you haven’t worn it in a year the odds that you are going to wear it again are slim to none. Donate these clothes and weed out your closets.
Homeless people do not have the ability to purchase clothing. Remember, they are homeless and don’t have any money. Thrift stores ‘sell’ their clothing and clothing articles so how is that helping the needy?
Homelessness is a choice for some. I have met some very interesting people out there who chose this rough route. In general, though speaking with them I learned that choices shape one's perception of the situation. Those who are vagabonds by their own choice are serene and well aware of their predicament. They are empowered and happy (though that may sound crazy to others in this forum) and those who are not, are generally depressed and full of worry. In the end, to each his own. Life is full of mystery :]
I jthink success is a state of mind.You have what you have by earning it through learning and hard work.It alludes many people because when they have it they don't see it until it is gone.I think a successful person is one who enjoys what they have and has learned to help others with his knowledge .In return contributing to society making the world better with their help;I also think their success can be any variety of ways.A mother who raises her children to do the right things in life is a wonderful success.A husband who sees that his family is taken care of by doing his personal best to provide a good home with lots of love and support.A child is a success when through every problem in life they find a way to overcome and rise above.A successful grandmother is rich well beyond wealth when she can give the right advice in any given situation. Successful people with money can help the world.A successful person without money take lead the world.A very interesting hub that raises many questions and food for thought.Thanx so much for sharing.
Success is a nominalization. It means in truth to succeed in something. In truth, if you want to "be successful," you need only succeed in something. Now comes the million dollar question. What should you succeed in if you wish to become a successful person? In my opinion you must succeed in both your conscious and subconscious goals. Please be aware that these are different for different people thus the subjective nature of the topic.
Success and mental illness are two different topics. If a drug addict scores by selling herself for cash as she lives on the street, she is successful. She is mentally ill, but she has what she wants. There is a social definition of success based on the society in which we live. These are based on the answer to the question, what should we succeed in socially? For social success we need to succeed in acquiring an income stream, a house, a car and etc. Social success indicates mental health, though they are separate intellectual queries.
Wealth and success are two different topics. Wealth is not determined by hard work. This is easily proven by listing a counterexample such as an heiress who hires a manager to maintain and grow her wealth. My hypothesis is that wealth is a measurement of how much service and how many products, of value to the society, you can supply for the society. Products and services of value produce joy or prevent pain. The more of these you produce, or help produce, as well as the more people using what you produce, the wealthier you are. Thus being successful leads to wealth only when the goal of that succeeding process is a product or service of value to the society at large.
I find wealth generation to be an exciting topic. I am inspired to create an intelligent system that functions as a wealth generator. My research and experimentation is the source of my crazy ideas. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.I think wealth is a measure of nothing more than wealth. Many of the people who have the most of it just happen to be the offspring of someone who did something. All they did was invest that money in stocks and cash the checks. Which is something any monkey could do.
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