SUCCESS

Everyone's ideal is to achieve success. People are frequently taught from childhood to adulthood to aim for success. However, the majority are unaware of what success actually entails. Why? Because our definition of success is heavily influenced by the social environment around us. We begin to shape our own ideas based on what other people consider success, sometimes even without our realizing it. The majority of people today believe that success entails a well-paying job, a beautiful family, and a happy face on social media. However, success is actually much more personal. It is, quite simply, achieving what you want to achieve.

Don’t get me wrong—if your dream is a stable job, a loving family, and peaceful evenings, and you manage to achieve that, then that is your success. However, it is essential to recognize that this is not a universal formula. The definition of success varies from person to person.

Take for example an Olympic runner. He may define success as winning a medal, preferably a gold one. His dream came true when he stood on the podium while the national anthem was playing and millions of people were watching. On the other hand, a young entrepreneur’s success could be raising funds for his startup and building a brand from scratch. A writer might define success as having readers connect with their story or making it to the bestseller list. For a street musician, it might be the day someone stops, listens, smiles, and drops a few coins.

Let me tell you a second story about a girl named Rini. She was never a top student. While others were busy with engineering dreams and government jobs, Rini was quietly painting in the corner of her room. Her parents were worried, teachers often ignored her, and neighbors assumed she was just wasting time. But she didn’t stop. Years later, one of her paintings went viral online, she got offers to exhibit her work, and now she makes a living doing what she loves. At first, no one applauded her success, but now everyone sees her shining. Why? Because she defined her own success, not borrowed someone else’s.

And let’s not forget about those who are still on the way.

I myself want to be an engineer. Right now, I’m trying hard to get into a good university so that I can pursue that goal. The moment I get accepted will be a success for me. It may not be the end goal, but it’s one important step closer to it. Success does not always have to be the ultimate goal; it can also be the smaller achievements. Every move forward and every improvement matters. Sometimes, we think if we don’t “achieve big” quickly, we’re not successful. But honestly, success is often built slowly—brick by brick, day by day. Hidden steps to success include studying late into the night, surviving rejection, and recovering from failure. Even though no one sees them, they matter. And you'll feel a rush of happiness when you finally get to the top of your own mountain, big or small. To be precise, dopamine. It will rush through your body and make you feel alive. And if not, why not? Perhaps you've been consuming too much dopamine recently. But here’s a twist—not everyone will recognize your success. You might be mocked, questioned about your choices, or silently compared to other people. That noise is irrelevant. Because success is not something you wear like a badge. It’s something you feel inside.

(The journey may be difficult, but the destination is just as satisfying.) So, don’t let others define what success should look like for you. Don’t fall for borrowed dreams. If your path is different, you shouldn't be ashamed of it. Additionally, don't overlook the significance of your smaller victories because they serve as a foundation for larger ones. And if you're not doing well right now? Avoid going to hell. Instead, take a pause. Rethink. Reset. Rewrite your narrative. Success doesn’t come to the lazy, but it always comes to the persistent.

Therefore, define your success, strive for it, and rejoice at each step. because you are the only one on your journey. And remember, the only person who needs to clap for you... is you.