Help? I don’t know the answer Success: Fact or Fiction?
by M. Schadt
I read an old editorial that appeared in a newspaper in 1915. The author, G. K. Chesterton, believed there
were too many books written about success. At my age, I don't think it matters how many books I read about
success because being successful is about working hard. I believe I am successful in school with my grades. 1
decided that if I want to live the life that I want when I'm older, I needed to start practicing now, in the 7th
grade.
So, first, I wrote down the goals I want to achieve, and I put dates by them because some of them, like getting
awesome grades, need to be achieved now and some of them, like what I want to do when I finish school, are
longer term goals. I want to be a veterinarian.
Next, I brainstormed different activities, events, and books I could pursue now that would help me later, and
wrote them down in different categories. For example, every Saturday I volunteer at an animal shelter to help
animals and learn more about the different situations that bring them to live at the shelter.
Finally, I wrote down a study routine for my homework. I must make really high grades now so that I can get
a scholarship later and get into a school that is popular for animal sciences. I realized, in the past, I put off doing
my homework, so I could relax and hang out with my friends. Now, I stay after school for a study club. We all
help each other with our homework; the school calls it "peer tutoring." Since I've been in the club, I've noticed
that my grades have gone up and some of the other students have been asking me for help with their science
homework. That's what I call "successful!"
So, in the end, I don't think it matters how many books have been written about success. What I think
matters is, do people really want to define what they consider success and then make a plan to achieve that
success? If yes, then they will be successful in whatever they choose