For as long as we can can remember, we have been told a number of times to study well and get good grades, so that we can be successful in life. First, it was our 10th grades, "it is the most important exam in our lives". But that was not the end, the next important stage was our 11th and 12th grades, if we just do well in our entrance exams at the end of 12th grade, "our life ahead would be set", they said. We could enjoy the rest of our lives. That was not the end either. We had to get good cgpa in college and ultimately get a good job, if we work hard for "only" four years, we could be happy for the rest of our lives. But that won't end there either, we have to always work to earn more, to get a good job and settle down to be "successful". Sure, all of these are important, having good grades and getting a good job ensure that we can be independent and be able to support ourselves. And can't deny that life is just climbing one mountain after another. For some people, these are goals to be achieved which is very good, but for others these are just monotonic instructions to be followed to be viewed as a "successful" person in the society. This is for the people who fall in the latter category.
When we are young, our parents tell us we can do everything we want if we are successful. So, we work towards this so called success. Once, we do get a job and want to do the things we want, all our wishes just become either a waste of money or irresponsible actions. We become adults and should not bother chasing after such childish and irresponsible things. We have to be responsible and focus on the more important tasks at hand, work from 9 to 5 and look ahead to the weekends to actually feel alive. Is this what makes us successful? Getting a 9 to 5 job and then successfully settle down? People might say there are many options out there. But let's face it, this is what the future has in store for most of us, even if we want it any other way. Once we do settle down, there would be no more time to do anything we want to because, well, ''important tasks at hand".
Is this what being successful means?