What Wikipedia Can't Tell You About Success
Wikipedia in the recent times has assumed the form of an edification demigod. A snappy Google search and a paragraph of Wikipedia later, I was both amused and dreary at what I learned; quoting it as follows:
Success may refer to:
- Attainment of higher social status
- Achievement of a goal, for example, academic success
- The opposite of failure
The antecedent two points are relative and ever-changing based on your current standing and the third point reeks of tenacious disconsolateness. In this newfangled society, full of YouTube millionaires and (self-proclaimed) entrepreneurs, your acquisitions never suffice. The sense of achievement is oscillated by an equally paramount yearning for more.
Homo-sapiens unlike all animals long for the best they can do, but lag behind in terms of satisfaction. Look at our fellow primate mammals - the chimpanzees; they work hard towards food and shelter and upon procuring it, often play and spend time malingering any stressful situations. They work hard and then bask in the glory of their achievements till they are ready to do it again. Humans, on the other hand, will have another project on the way even before they wind up one. So, who is the clam here? The workaholic or the chimp? For all I know, the apes may never even attack us. Who wants a war towards the bequeathing of all this discontent? Not the apes, they surely know better than this!
That is one content chimp! Pic courtesy: Ryan Mcguire
Backtracking to success and learning from the wild, I would say success is serenity - the placidity that comes from a day of hard work, the tranquility that comes from following rules and the predictability of doing what makes you happy. Working hard is not bad, but taking a break every now and then to celebrate is need of this hour. And while you celebrate with the people that matter, appeasement will find you in that moment, and you will have uncovered the mystical modern-day equivalent to the fountain of youth. This is what Wikipedia can't tell you about success and this, is the pursuit I wish you the best for. May the force be with you.