What Society Has Wrong About Success

Sean Hwang ‘26 • Jun 24, 2024

Every generation inherits  a culture—a  set  of deeply   ingrained beliefs.    These beliefs are not merely incidental   opinions; they  are  the  norms that completely shape our   understanding of  the  world.  We don’t    typically question them until something  causes us  to  stop  and reflect.

However, it’s dangerous to stop critically assessing our dominant societal beliefs. Just because something is widely accepted doesn’t make it right. The culture I find most pervasive in our world is the one that dictates what a “successful life” looks like.

From  a  young age,  we  are told that if we graduate, secure a stable job, and reach   certain milestones,  we will have “made it.” Achieving one goal just leads us to  ask,  “What’s next?”  In  this framework, success is a straight line to the finish. But life is rarely linear.

By  all  means,  I  value  setting goals.  With  finals  approaching, having  clear  objectives  helps  to keep  me  organized  and  focused. Still,  I’ve  come  to  understand that fulfillment doesn’t come from simply crossing the finish line. It comes from the work it takes to get there, especially when it’s difficult.

I  have  learned  to  get  more satisfaction from the process than from external recognition. This shift in  perspective  was  challenging, particularly because I tend to be a  perfectionist.  There  are  times when I’ve questioned whether I’m “good enough” out of fear. We often procrastinate as a response to fear. I tell myself I need a break or I’ll feel more motivated later, but that only creates more stress. The term for  this,  “stress  tax,”  describes how avoiding work by “relaxing” creates a mental toll that comes back to bite.

SCA students attend the 2024 Youth Business Summit, New York City — exchanging ideas and developing business strategies on a global stage.

The simplest way to break this cycle is to take action, even if it’s just starting with a small task like opening a textbook. Success doesn’t wait  for  the  perfect  moment;  it occurs when you do things despite feeling uncertain or anxious.

Psychologists  Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert note  that  nearly  half  of  our thoughts are either focused on past mistakes  or  concerns  about  the future, leaving little room for the present moment. They explain that a wandering mind can contribute to unhappiness. When  I  focus  on  the  task  at hand—whether it’s a flashcard or a specific concept—I feel clearer and more grounded.

Ultimately, I’m trying to focus on the present. Rather than worrying about the grade on my finals or the opportunities I hope to secure, I’m concentrating on the tasks right in front of me.

This is where my life is happening, and it deserves my full attention.