Coffey 1 Catherine Coffey Ms. Serensky AP English Language 20 April 2018
Coffey 2
Failure and Personal Growth Enrich Success The Japanese Proverb “fall down
what does work, one must find out
seven, stand up eight” reveals the
what does not work. Failure gains a
reality that every successful person
new found value when viewed in
must confront (Japanese Proverb).
these terms. Success consists of
According to a 1995 report, “25
persisting through and learning from
percent start up businesses” failed in
failure. In the process, one develops
the first year in action (Seth). Twenty
a keen appreciation for the
during a shooting. In response, she
three years later, this number has
intricacies of life and the suffering
learned the importance of forgiveness
remained “a little over 20
that ends in the desired gain. This
and started the Julian D. King Gift
percent”(Speights). In fact, only
process requires a person to build
Foundation. This foundation supports
around half of all businesses make it
character he or she may not have
children of all backgrounds to
past the 5 year mark. These daunting
possessed before the long passage of
maximize their potential as they grow
statistics indicate the dedication and
struggle and dedication. Those who
into adults. Jennifer received an
persistence it takes to make a
choose to simply give up after their
honor at Do Something Awards for
business succeed Moreover, in order
first few attempts will never truly
her tremendous contribution to the
for one to truly reach success, they
reach success, not because they did
community. In spite of the fact that
must endure failure and accomplish
not achieve the sought for goal, but
she could do nothing about losing her
achievement along the way. The road
because they lost the chance to
family, she showed incredible
to success actually constitutes
transform themselves. Furthermore,
achievement in learning to forgive
success more than the final goal.
success should not possess any
and overcome tragedy.
Failure actually improves the
relation to the way others classify or
In summary, I write to those
prospects of success. So many well
define it. The definition of success
who prove too frightened to take
known people have embraced their
cannot come from anyone other than
chances and to fail to encourage them
weaknesses, learning from the
the the individual nor can it signify
to take these chances; every
failures along the way. For example,
any one concept, ideal, or goal.
successful person takes these steps.
Thomas Edison, one of the greatest
Not only does success come
Also, I write to those devastated by
inventors of the modern era, told
from failure, but it can also arise
tragedy or damaged emotionally to
himself, “I have not failed. I've just
from tragedy. Jennifer Hudson, at the
persuade them to take the high road
found 10,000 ways that won't work”
age of six, lost her mother, brother,
because learning to forgive and
(Edison). To this end, in order to find
and nephew in a span of three days
overcoming personal loss constitutes
Coffey 3 a profound and valuable achievement in itself. Those who embrace their failures and learn from their mistakes and struggle to change themselves to survive or to meet their goals appear the true success stories.
Coffey 4
The Myth of the American Dream At times, many lose track of or
Success
were never schooled to understand the
appears only
true meaning of success. Entire
sought when one
societies can suffer from this
achieves a true
ignorance. Societies and individuals
sense of
course, that money appears necessary
become obsessed with riches, fame, or
happiness. For example, Georganne
to gain access to security and
power rather than the emotional aspect Moline, a member of the world
education, it cannot appear an end in
of success. Considering the
champion 4x400m relay for team
itself. It is enjoying the process that
idealization of celebrity in America
USA, states, “success means
leads to greater fulfillment later in life.
today, it appears surprising that many
happiness”(Moline). To this end,
realize that that does not constitute
success means waking up excited and
In all honesty, success has no
Americans said the American Dream
relation to money: Money appears just grateful for where one appears to sit in one perk of success. One of the most life. It means never to have regrets, well known female runners for team
correlated with success through hard
knowing everything that happened
USA, Emma Coburn, states, “success
work” (Huddleston). Also, a national
happened for a reason. Success means
has nothing to do with trophies and
study conducted in 2018 by Strayer
growing through self reflection and
medals, rather it is all about what got
University reported “90% [of
actively striving to reach set goals
one there” (Coburn). Emma
Americans] believe that success is
while enjoying the process. Tony
emphasizes the importance of putting
more about happiness than power,
Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos and a well
in work and constantly striving
possessions, or prestige” (Smith).
known entrepreneur, defined the way
towards goals and knows that
success. In 2018, “44.24% of
Reaching true success means achieving to success perfectly when he
reinforcing objects like money have no
self-fulfillment and achieving a sense
exclaimed, “Stop chasing the money
relation to success. Likewise, Justin
of happiness rather than obtaining
and start chasing the passion” (Hsieh).
Timberlake uses repetition when
wealth. Success may lead to riches, but We should immerse ourselves in the
reflecting on what makes him a
riches do not define success.
process of achieving passion, not
success saying, “I felt I had to achieve,
money. Although one may argue, of
achieve, achieve” (Timberlake).
Coffey 5 Although critics might argue it appears your goals there. Moreover, I write to easy for Cobrun and Timberlake to say adults following the illusion that success has little relation to money
amassing wealth brings happiness and
since they already have wealth, both
defines success, to explain to them
stress that the road to fame and wealth
that money in itself means almost
appear where success lies.
nothing in the world when it comes to
In summary, I write to young, naive students to search for what matters most to them: justice, beauty, equality, humanity. Look into what you feel passionate about and make
defining success.
Coffey 6
Letter to the Editor Catherine Coffey 180 Kenton Rd Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
20th April 2018 John Wurzel CEO, Capital 123 Prosperity Street Success Hill, CA 12345
Dear John Wurzel, Your article, “Earning Enough to Buy What Makes You Happy,” presumes that success and happiness result almost exclusively from how much money one can accrue. I would like to kindly bring to your attention that the premise of your article proves false. Many highly respected and introspective figures insist that, once within a stable financial range, success has no correlation to money. J.K. Rowling, the author of popular series Harry Potter, reported as worth 7.7 billion dollars, proves an excellent example of how achieving great success monetarily appears merely by the product of true success. Before writing her works, Rowling suffered from depression. With a new baby in her hands and facing divorce, she began to lose hope and suffered thoughts of suicide. Persisting in spite of her despair, she attended therapy religiously. In her view, she reached true success by overcoming the many painful obstacles in her life that prevented her from self- fulfillment. More evidence of what it takes to prove a unique and creative success appears in Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech, published in book form as Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination. The self-improvement guide offers personal anecdotes and advice on how to embrace failure and use your imagination to succeed”( Biography.com). Although critics might argue Rowling had no choice but to overcome her family issues and that this has no relation to her success, Rowling reached genuine achievement through having the grit to overcome loss and to work through painful mental illness. Another extremely wealthy entrepreneur, Walt Disney, considered by all a great success, experienced the “fringe benefits” of many failures along the way. During the road toward reaching his goals, many doubted him. The Kansas City Star editor fired him, exclaiming he “‘lacked imagination and had no good ideas.’”(Horowitz) In addition to the Kansas City rejection, several of his films failed before he finally produced the acclaimed animation,“Snow White.” Today, Walt Disney has had so much influence on so many through his works that he appears one of the most wellknown producers of all times. His true goal emphasized creating a unique work of art and to entertain, not to become rich. Failure did not bring him down. Instead, failure became a guide to how to succeed.
Coffey 7 Instead of advising others how to succeed by providing tips on amassing great wealth, perhaps you should consider the wisdom of those who already have tremendous wealth. They would tell you that you run on the wrong track and that your assumption that wealth appears the ultimate success that provides everything a person requires to evoke happiness proves a fallacy. Sincerely,
Catherine Coffey
Coffey 8
Interview With Dr. Ronald Coffey Dr. Coffey grew up with almost next to nothing and now thrives as a retired doctor in Moreland Hills, Ohio. Always having an open,curious mind, Ron loves to explore new passions such as learning to play the piano and increasing his knowledge on quantum mechanics. What does success mean to you? “Being creative, having goals, and making substantial progress towards those goals. In other words a growth mindset.” Do you consider yourself successful? “Yes. I don't mean to say that I have highly exceeding expectations, or even that I have reached them, but I have made some progress towards my notion of success. I enjoyed medical school. I was a great teacher. ” How did you overcome not having a lot of resources at a young age? “It just never occurred to me. When I was your age, and through college and med school, I was still poor; I went to school for nothing. I got scholarships for everything. I wore other people’s clothes, worked in the summer time, and did some part time work as did my brother. I had no problem with other people having great stuff. I went to high school with guys that were wearing Brooks Brothers shirts. I went on with my life enjoying every minute of it.” Name a low point in your life and describe how you overcame it? “I had a pretty painful physical ailment for two years. Hard work. That is all there is to it. No pains no gains. Now it’s gone thanks to a lot of good doctors. I overcame it by going through the procedures doctors performed, and thinking the pain is going to end, which it did. Did not drive me to be successful, rather allowed me to be successful.” Do you feel you have reached your full potential? “No. I am 81 years old and I feel that I might someday. I would have preferred to be a decent pianist just for my own enjoyment. Plus a physicists. However, these were not presented to me as opportunities, and therefore I did not consider them. But looking back and based on the interests I still have, if someone could guarantee me that I would live to be 125, I would buy a 9 foot Bosendorfer and I would start right now with a teacher and practice everyday.” Should success mean having money? “Having money does not guarantee success or happiness and it is not true you can not buy happiness. Money did not matter to me. I was just poor as a church mouse and I was happy as can be! My mother worked as a maid going to work every day. She used all the money earned each day to ride a bus and buy groceries. Without her it would not have happened.”
Coffey 9
Advice Column: John: Regarding the article that success means achievement and failure, as a current college student, I have always dreamed of becoming a successful doctor. how would you define reaching success as a doctor? Catherine: I would say, first off, success should have no relation to income made. I should say, rather, that it appears about the lessons learned from your career. I have also always hoped one day to become a doctor. Helping sick people and giving them a second chance while learning not to judge, I think we both can agree, makes for a life well lived. Additionally, I would define success as working hard to perform the best in the moment and learning to appreciate every second one has to live on this earth, enhancing and developing his or her understanding and knowledge while helping others. The medical profession creates the perfect opportunity for this definition of success.
Lisa: Reading your interview, I found Ron truly inspiring. As a young girl born into poverty, I can relate to him. I do feel I have the drive to work hard to achieve a great future for myself; however, I have not received any scholarships and appear beginning to lose hope. I have always dreamed of receiving a college education. Any advice on how I should approach my future? Catherine: First of all, I do not ever want you to doubt yourself. Not all successful people have had a college education. For example, take Bill Gates, working out of a garage as a teenager, and inventing the iphone, something so miraculous it has changed society forever. He remained confident and must have persisted intensely to achieve such a brilliant invention. Make sure you haven’t missed any opportunities to get help for college. Seek out a mentor. Start learning on your own. Access to free college courses found online will help. Define your strengths and remember to never give up enjoying and learning from the process over time, instead of concentrating on one goal.
Jerome: I have always wanted to have the prestigious label of “a great success.” Your article on failure and achievement drew my attention. I wonder what qualities should one have to achieve success? Catherine: Possessing a keen interest and following your passion appear qualities most associated with success so that, in the end, your will feel satisfaction with the years of devotion you needed to devote to your goal. In the end, that proves the key. Note that, passionate interest and satisfaction with doing something increases as one gets better at it. Even those who have interest and satisfaction to begin with--if interest and satisfaction lags, might decide it’s not worth doing and give it up when just two steps away awaits the sudden burst of interest and satisfaction that would have carried them through.
Coffey 10
Catherine O. Coffey Catherine always brings a
intricacies of a Bach Fugue has led to
wound up as back-to-back state
passion to her every effort.
her sense of possessing an exquisite
champions, but, more importantly, in
Furthermore, her family’s creed,
treasure -- one that she can share with
the process of gaining “success,”
strive and drive, has become a part of
others through performance. Such
Catherine had made friends for life
her character and has led to her
hard won achievement also applies to
and had come to understand the
personal fulfillment. For Catherine
the academic spectrum; Catherine
profound value of a caring mentor. It
and her family,excelling appears not
currently take 5 AP classes. Many
underlined the grit and hard work
only a goal in itself, but a conduit to
people say she overloads herself with
needed to achieve success led to her
personal fulfillment and character
work; however, their concept of
growth, both within herself and
development. For instance, the study
overloading translates for her into an
through her connection to others, and
of piano,which requires not only
opportunity to achieve greatness.
that growth proved the true prize.
technical skill but also emotional
Athletics also has proven a
Art, Academics, and Athletics
sensibility,has given her insight into
valuable part of Catherine’s life.
have enriched Catherine’s life, and
her own feelings and character. And
When she joined the cross country,
the struggle to excel in those areas
her dedication to athletics has taught
track, and swim teams, she did not
has taught her that the growth and
her the value of cooperation and the
expect much from herself other than
wisdom attained through them
nature of human bonding and love.
the satisfaction of working to her
appeared the ultimate success.
Athletics, running especially, taught
greatest personal potential. Putting
Catherine had pushed herself,
her what it feels like to appear alone
her best effort into every day of
struggled, and sacrificed until a
with herself, striving and mentoring
practice with hard working
strong work ethic and the will to
herself, bringing out the feelings of
teammates by her side, she obtained a
excel became an inherent part of her
power and entitlement that lead to
new sense of appreciation for what
character, and it appears that which
confidence.
she had joined. She felt that she could
now comprises her most profound
not let down the school’s legacy or
success.
Catherine has played the piano since the age of 5. She believes
her coach, who worked hard to help
she has grown from mastering an art
her develop into a true athlete. The
form capable of expressing such
personal bond that she developed
compelling emotional reactions
with her teammates and her coach
without words. Mastering the
appeared far more gratifying than the
Nocturnes of Chopin, or the
gold metal they won together. They
Coffey 11
Works Cited
Biography.com “J.K. Rowling.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 27 Feb. 2018, www.biography.com/people/jk-rowling-40998. Coburn, Emma. “Emma Coburn Is a World Champion, Olympic Medalist-and Now a Race Director, Too.” Runner's World, Runner's World, 2 Oct. 2017, www.runnersworld.com/races/emma-coburn-is-a-world-champion-olympic-medalist-and-now-a-race-director-too . Coffey, Claire E. CFXC State. Chagrin Falls, Aug. 2016. Edison, Thomas. "Thomas A. Edison Quotes." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2018. 15 April 2018. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/thomas_a_edison_132683 Horowitz, Alana. “15 People Who Were Fired Before They Became Filthy Rich.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 25 Apr. 2011, www.businessinsider.com/15-people-who-were-fired-before-they-became-filthy-rich-2011-4. Hsieh, Tony. "Tony Hsieh Quotes." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2018. 19 April 2018. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/tony_hsieh_412218 Huddleston, Cameron. “Survey Reveals the True 'American Dream' - It's Not What You Think.” GOBankingRates, 21 Mar. 2018, www.gobankingrates.com/making-money/new-american-dream-survey/. Japanese Proverb. “Quote from Japanese Proverb.” The Quotations Page, www.quotationspage.com/quote/36285.html. Moline, Georgeanne, Georganne400h.“Georganne’s Definition of Success.”* Instagram,14 March 2018, www.instagram.com/georganne400h/?hl=en. Paper Boat Creative. “BaMan's Hand Climbing Stairs Made of Wooden Blocks.” Getty Images, Getty Images Europe, 2017, www.gettyimages.com/license/164210725. RichVintage. “Young Boy and Girl Imagine Flying On Skateboard.” Getty Images, Getty Images, 2017, www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/young-boy-and-girl-imagine-flying-on-skateboard-royalty-free-image/49573 1108. Seth. “Startup Business Failure Rate by Industry.” Statistic Brain, 20 Sept. 2017, www.statisticbrain.com/startup-failure-by-industry/. Smith, Jacquelyn. “This Is How Americans Define Success.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 3 Oct. 2014, www.businessinsider.com/how-americans-now-define-success-2014-10.
Coffey 12 Smith, Patrick. “16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 - Day Eight.” Getty Images, Getty Images Europe, 2017, www.gettyimages.com/license/830416794. Speights, Keith. “Success Rate: What Percentage of Businesses Fail in Their First Year?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 21 May 2017, www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/small-business-central/2017/05/21/what-percentage-of-businesses-failin-their-first-year/101260716/. Timberlake, Justin. “Justin Timberlake Quotes.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, www.brainyquote.com/authors/justin_timberlake.