The pandemic has changed quite a few things, and one of them is the definition of Success.
Successful is a relative term. I was once told that Success is the distance covered by an individual from point A, his initial financial position when he starts to point B where he is today, convincing, however, materialistic. Does this mean being successful is only materialistic terminology? Again, an individual perspective. The definition of success varies from individual to individual and for an individual at different times.
Well, I don't have any definition or a secret formula of defining Success or how to be successful. That doesn't mean there isn't any! I am sure someone shall be able to define it. A definition that encompasses materialism, social acceptance, physiological stability and everything else.
If we, for a moment, give materialism a pass, then social acceptance is an important one. This is more of a function of where we were born and the way we were brought up. It's the culture and upbringing of an individual within that culture. The default reaction to do's and don'ts, acceptable and not acceptable, stems from this learning. It's this culture that defines what is termed as socially successful or failure. Thus, being successful in a society is based on the teachings and their implementation in that given society. If someone needs to migrate to another society, he shall go through a lot of unlearning and learning.
Therefore, the irony is we have nothing of our own. We behave, deal, react, earn and show as tutored by individuals around us. The individuals around us follow the same path, and our ancestors, to minor variations, did the same.
The struggle for Success is imposed on each one of us very early in our lives, academic results, certificates, acceptable behaviour, expectations to be outstanding by the time one is in his youth. One mustn't disgrace anyone associated with them (parents) by behaving in ways that unsettle them—no yelling, answering back. As a young adult, one must get ahead, build a pile of money, and find security in a respectable career.
It's no wonder we think we should chase Success what is defined to us. Other than that, we have no idea as to why and what we are doing. To think differently requires erroneous imagination backed by courage to break the shekel, which states, "I will strive my entire life to be successful in the eyes of others."
Deep down, however, we all know Success has more to do with love, fulfilment, and happiness than materialistic achievement and social acceptance.
And then comes a change that no one had expected "the pandemic," all moulds are broken, the materialistic definition changes from hoarding to sustenance. If you could sustain, you are an achiever, which means Success. Socially we are isolated; important rituals and festival are now digital just courtesies. Braveheart condolences are attended on Zoom calls. The defining consumer society advertisers hibernated. Then a new realization dawned on all of us. In months, less than ten per cent of the wardrobe has been used. Our social standing is no longer estimated by either your shiny armours or the great through breed horses we ride. (Clothes and Cras).
The materialistic definition further changed as we were hit by economic erosion. All our investments eroded and yielded so much lesser, with opportunities to supplement income becoming scares. Earning opportunities seemed like a long dark tunnel with little or no hope of light at the end of it, if it ever ended. So, did our scare of accepting a step down of materialistic standing. Then the truth dawned on us "nothing terrible will happen to you if you don't strive to be brilliant." You need not have a fantastic career title that wows friends and family. You don't have to impress anyone. In fact, not doing so might make others more comfortable. Individuals consolidated and settled in for less, stepping out of the race and arranged to forge on what they have for the rest of their days.
Now the fable was to find a new meaning to happiness alone, without giving a fig of what anyone might think of you? There wasn't any need to be successful, not in the ways we have been taught, at least. The definition of Success changed for many of us. The meaning of quality of life changes, expectations change to reduced needs. The new euphoric high is your contentment and isolation with the meagre needs of worldly gain. You are now in danger of becoming a success.
An afterthought
The sheer relief of not having to be or do anything remarkable gives you the freedom to break the mould of predefined Success. You start doing things you love rather than what you think you should do, and you shine, acquiring new skills.
With an assumption that from this new way of life shall emerge the new world. Where specialized individual and teams shall emerge, working on projects they enjoy, not the way we have been doing, they probably work remotely for an extended period without breaks, breaking off for a considerable period to hone their skills, only to come back and pick up another assignment. We all collectively have to redefine our way of existence and Success.
Leaving you with the thoughts of what it shall mean to be successful in the coming years.
