The pursuit of success

Success is the buzz word in the modern world. Everybody is trying to succeed in their chosen field of activity. Olympic games, cricket matches, debates, singing and dance contests give us ample opportunities to succeed. All of us try to succeed in such ventures. Even otherwise, we try to succeed in our day-to-day affairs. When we succeed, we celebrate it. When we do not, we remain crestfallen.

Success has never been a destination. It is a journey. So, we have successful teachers trying to excel in legal studies. Some successful lawyers try to become politicians. Politics has attracted not only lawyers, but also Ayurvedic physicians, doctors, religious dignitaries and average citizens. This is because there is a notion that politics provides a sure path to worldly success.

Just what is this thing called success? Philosophers say that we should not seek worldly success because it is something shallow. However, the philosophers who make such statements themselves have become successful in life. Does it mean that philosophers are biased against worldly success? If we do not succeed in our chosen field, the whole purpose of living becomes meaningless. Yet, philosophers have a point.

Ozymandias syndrome

Most philosophers do not want us to be trapped by what is called Ozymandias Syndrome. As P. B. Shelley, in his well-known poem has said, the belief that power and wealth make you immortal will give you the false notion that you are above the herd of mankind. Shelley’s Ozymandias who was “King of kings” has been reduced to a couple of stumped legs and rubble. Maybe Ozymandias is an extreme example. Therefore, lesser mortals seek success in life, not to become kings, but to enjoy what they do.

Plato: Everything is perfect in the “World of Forms”

Armchair psychologists do not encourage us to follow philosophical ideals. They have conditioned us to do our best in various fields. Psychologists tell us not to give up the struggle but to be the best in our field. However, sensible people know that only one person can be the best. Perhaps too much reality can be bad at times.

Some psychologists want us to use the “mirror technology”. They want us to tell the mirror that we are going to succeed. A rationalist may laugh at people who converse with an inanimate object such as the mirror. Can we succeed in life simply by exposing our wishes to the mirror? However, people flock around such Sophists who may have a private agenda. What is more, all those who try to succeed do not achieve their target.

‘Excellences’

Despite philosophical views, the pursuit of worldly success can be a noble quest. If everybody loses interest in achieving success, the world will be a dull place to live in. As ancient Greeks said, we all have our own “excellences”. Some of us are good writers, others are capable dancers. So, there is nothing wrong in pursuing a rewarding career. If we know what we we are good at, it is one way of finding a meaning in life.

When success drives you, you are compelled to achieve something desirable. If we refuse to improve our skills in different fields, the world will not go forward. As such, external success cannot be dismissed entirely. For instance, an award-winning writer could sell his books easily. What is more, an award will drive him to do better in the future.

How much can we achieve? How far can we go in the path of success? As human perfection is a kind of Goldilocks phenomenon, we have to be well balanced. However, we cannot find people of perfect balance. They exist only in Plato’s “World of Forms.” Average people have a passion for excellence in a particular field. They may or may not succeed to achieve their target.

Are successful businessmen and academics happy in their family life? We might get different answers. Most successful businessmen have messed up their family life. This brings us to the inevitable conclusion that success is a relative term with a limited meaning.

A villager who never aspired to be a millionaire will be happy with his wife and children. He knows that a decent life on his own terms is the reward for his efforts. Those who try all the tricks of the trade to reach the top of their profession may have to exercise a little bit of introspection because everything is not hunky-dory when it comes to the pursuit of success.