Success, as a value, is one of the building blocks that comprises the foundation of the progress of American civilization. The ideal of success is firmly planted among our individual and social expectations, and what with the collective idolization of successful individuals relative to our culture and others, a message boldly rings clear – the achievement of success is important to us.

We live in a culture that values success, but we do not live in a culture that inherently promotes all of the ingredients that it takes to make one successful. In order for success to be achieved in any avenue, values such as determination, dedication, fearlessness, education, and drive must all be in effect. However, it appears as though largely we are expected to enact these values not within the framework of our personal passion, but within a framework that meets parental, social, or corporate expectations.

To an extent, we are socially receiving mixed signals – we should be successful, but we should not follow our dreams if they are considered “unreasonable”. The core values that comprise success itself are permissible only within a certain set of circumstances, which to an extent, limits their function within society, and debilitates the power of their capabilities in our lives. Truly, our personal ability to achieve success depends on our capacity to apply the aforementioned values to the pursuit of our own individual dreams, forsaking the cultural and social ideals presented to us, first and foremost utilizing the value of fearlessness. Only then are we able to enrich our lives with the full meaning of success.