Success

SUCCESS

Written By: Madison Greenlief

To Overcome Challenges and Persevere

overcome human tragedy will represent one of the

The Impact of Charity

greatest successes of our time and a great example of our humanity.

Despite not personally knowing those affected, many people and groups donated to numerous charities in order to help out. As an example of this, a charity called GlobalGiving created a Hurricane Harvey relief fund that has since raised $5,097,443 for those living in Houston during the catastrophe (Hurricane Harvey Relief”). GlobalGiving

The evening news reports the effects of global warming and its immediate and future implications. In accordance to NASA’s research, global warming affects the formation of storms due to the increased water-vapor in the atmosphere.

Since 1880, the Earth’s average temperature has increased 1.4° Fahrenheit with two-thirds of this global warming happening in the past four decades (Carlowicz). With temperature on the rise the ability of intense storms, including hurricanes, to cause severe damage increases too resulting in a large amount of casualties.

2017 ranks as the most costly year on record due to natural disasters. It caused many people who to lose their homes and many are still fighting to regain their lives after a number of these disasters. Rebuilding will take a massive amount of time, money, and even more effort. The damage costs up to $306 billion and has affected millions of individuals (Mooney and Dennis). Due to the immense cost, many people came together in order to help and during this, built strong relationships with the affected. The act of working together to

addresses the issue of home-threatening flooding and hopes to help rebuild that city from the ground up. In addition to contributions from GlobalGiving, the IRS has also offered tax relief to victims of Hurricanes Irma, Harvey, and Maria allowing citizens to use more of their money to help their families and improve their homes rather than losing those additional funds to the government (“Help for Victims”). This tax break, along with the help of numerous other individuals will lead to a successful recovery of Houston in the future.

The best outcome of these tragedies comes from the relationships it has established and the people it has brought together. The immense efforts put in place to help people from anonymous donors exemplifies the best traits of humanity and may lead to lifelong friendships. Seeing these efforts and their progress inspires hope in all of us that teamwork can help overcome any obstacle. 2017 represents only a small fraction of natural disasters and yet it encompassas the true meaning of humanity: using our own generosity and resources to help those most in need. As humans, we owe it to ourselves to

explore other communities, learn about different

After identifying the ultimate goal, Tracy

cultures, and become the best versions of ourselves

recommends setting a realistic deadline. The goal

in order to one day gain the ability to help others.

and its milestones act as a subconscious form of motivation along the way to stay on track and not

The Secret to Success

lose sight of the ultimate objective. Without these steps, initial motivations may diminish in importance.

In the presence of a seemingly impossible goal, Tracy encourages making smaller, easier mini-goals or milestones leading up to the larger one in order to make it more achievable.

Next, Tracy advocates for creating a list of steps or milestones necessary to complete the

For generations people developed their own

ultimate goal. Doing so can provide a sense of

formulas in order to achieve success. According to

accomplishment along the path to achievement. The

research, many of these plans often did not possess

list reinforces the idea of checking on progress and

the structure to achieve the desired result. Personal

also allows for a temporary sense of pride to further

success comes from an embodiment of goal setting,

reinforce the ultimate goal. Moreover, this tactic

determination, persistence, and measurement. It

creates a clear and concise path towards the target

requires both structure and deadlines as well as

making it more accessible and easier to achieve.

motivation. Despite sounding intensive, according to

Organizing this list in order of importance

one of the top sales and personal success trainers in

helps designate which tasks to focus. Doing so allows

the world, Brian Tracy, it only takes seven steps to

for more rapid movement towards the goal in a

reach personal success.

limited amount of time. Focusing on getting the

The first step requires writing down

larger projects done first can help other parts of the

perceived goals and aspirations. This method

process move quicker while simultaneously creating

becomes even more effective when the goal setter

a “blueprint� and perceived projection of the time it

designs a method where they force themself to

will take to accomplish the goal and how to

review these goals on a daily basis. For example,

accomplish it.

placing the goals in a spot passed through often --

After all of the planning, action can then

such as in the kitchen or on a desk -- provides an

begin to take place. Specifically, Tracy recommends

easy reminder of the ultimate goal and provides a

not trying to achieve the goal immediately and even

sense of purpose as time passes.

encourages breaking it up to doing as little as one

objective per day towards the ultimate goal, no

left the state because nobody would hire a new

matter how small that task may seem.

graduate to manage others. I went into the Army

Every step counts. Whether a goal setter

where they seemed to accept my lack of experience

want to change the world or simply raise a grade in a

and told me if I’d just hold a rifle, I could manage

class, every effective goal must first start with a

their employees. After that, I went to work just like

plan. Procrastination limits success and the best way

everyone else.

to overcome procrastination comes from sitting

Over the years, I’m lucky enough to have worked

down, writing out goals, making plans, and taking

around a number of talented people that allowed me

action.

to learn and grow. From sales to business development, I’ve learned something from every

An Interview with Jeff Greenlief

person I’ve worked for or around. My best years were and still remain with when I set new company sales records. “ What made you decide you wanted to help fix failing companies? “​I believed that if you joined a good company you can only go down from there; however, if you work with a bad company you can only go up. In addition

What can you tell me about yourself?

“I was adopted and raised in Frankfort Kentucky by an Engineer and a housewife who later retired from state government. They also adopted another sibling a year later, Vivian, who before Aimee (my wife), was my closest friend over the years. Our parents’ marriage ended in divorce when we were teenagers.

My birth parents were Irish Protestants and according to my maternal birth family, my father died in Vietnam and my birth mother she passed from colon cancer. “

to this, I loved idea of going into a company that's in trouble and working with people to turn it around and make it successful again.”

What accomplishment do you take the most pride in? “​I can say that I’ve positioned and closed some very big deals within my lifetime, but the most significant one I ever landed was convincing Aimee to be my wife. I saw in her an attractive, young, college graduate who valued most of the same things as me, was challenging at times and, spoke funny too. She was interested in exploring and trying new things in

What do you do workwise?

“After graduating High School and attending UK, I

her life from travel or living in different places, I think we’ve lived in 6 different houses together but, besides being the most beautiful woman I ever met

inside and out, she’s given me two wonderful

luck. Growing up homeless forces Murray to take

children. “

control of her own life working numerous low-paying

Who are your idols?

jobs, moving from house to house, balancing school

“I admire George Washington because he believed in

work with devoting time to find food and, in many

everything in moderation as I do. He also believed in

instances difficult choices that most of us will never

upholding certain standards and wanted his legacy

need to make. Murray gives valuable insight into the

persevere well past his life. Also, he continuously

lives of the homeless, showing the struggles many

delivered credit where it was due. I hope to do the

like herself find to climb out of poverty. She allows

same throughout my career”.

others to witness her life struggles and ways of

Do you have any advice for others seeking to

overcoming these obstacles. Murray works her way

go into the same career path?

up from the bottom and eventually reaches her goal

“​Think big. Whatever you're dreaming of its not big

of getting into Harvard after writing a scholarship

enough. Don’t be satisfied just getting a job, try to

essay and gaining media attention from the New

fix one of the worlds problems.”

York Times. Murray’s story exemplifies her determination to achieve her dreams, inspiring hope from others in similar circumstances to follow her.

Breaking Night​ vs ​The Traveler's Gift

The Traveler's Gift ​- Andy Andrews Andy Andrew’s fictional novel, ​The Traveler's Gift,​ promotes the idea of success as a mindset. The main character, David, appears to work a stable job supporting both himself and his daughter when suddenly, he gets fired and his life takes a turn for the worse. With an unexpected plot twist, David finds himself unconscious and meeting face to face with figures from history such as Harry

Breaking Night -​ Liz Murray Starting out homeless and becoming a Harvard student, Liz Murray’s 2011 autobiography Breaking Night ​shocks readers with its tense and hard to imagine human circumstances. Murray’s best seller tells the struggle of someone experiencing a life of poverty and in many situations incredibly bad

Truman and King Solomon. From these meetings, David experiences a realization about the meaning of success which he begins to use in his personal life in supporting his family. After implementing his new knowledge, David finds himself happy once again.

This story sets the idea that in order to achieve success, people need to exert bravery, utilize their experiences including both victories and failures, and

take advantage of opportunities placed in front of them. Andrews aims to inspire failing businesspeople in order to convince them to take greater risks in

​Forrest Gump​ vs ​Apollo 13

order to achieve much larger rewards.

Both of these stories illustrate determination to get out of a difficult circumstances but Liz Murray does the best job because she makes her story relatable to others. Murray provides eye opening content to express the struggles to achieve success while getting out of poverty. She tells all of the sometimes gruesome details she endured which evokes sympathy from those who never experiences struggles to encourage them to help those most in need. Unlike in ​The Traveler's Gift​, Murray takes the reader into the story and creates vivid imagery and stimulates difficult conversation topics that make it more interesting. Above all, Murray creates a gripping book with an ending plot that renders readers unable to put it down.

Forrest Gump ​- Winston Groom Created in 1994, Winston Groom’s ​Forrest Gump​ comically demonstrates how good outcomes can come from difficult circumstances. The story begins with Forrest talking to a stranger on a bus bench about his life. His story first begins when he arrives to his first day of school in Greenbow, Alabama. With his scoliosis, Forrest wears a leg brace which leaves him unable to walk properly. Due to this, Forrest becomes the target of many bullies.

However, one day, this all changes. While Forrest runs from his bullies, he breaks out of his brace and revealed as a fast runner. His exceptional running ability then leads to a scholarship to the University of Alabama leading to his later enlistment in the U.S. Army where he befriends a man named Bubba.

During an ambush, Bubba passes away and Forrest saves many individuals in his platoon and got shot in the process, awarding him the medal of honor.

Ironically, while in recovery, Forrest develops a talent for ping-pong which he then begins to compete competitively. Grooms compelling story takes one miraculous twist after another tied to

history, each one more quirky than the last. His

about sometimes difficult circumstances. Of these

story proves how an optimistic mindset can help

two, I prefer​ Apollo 13​ because it tells a true story

anyone overcome their own challenges.

and appeals to the audience some of who may even

Apollo 13 ​- Ron Howard

recall the days of the space program landing on the

Ron Howard’s 1995 film ​Apollo 13​ recreates

moon.​ Apollo 13​ provides inspiration to anyone that

the events of the well-known space tragedy that

we are all capable of solving the world’s and even

threatened the lives of our astronauts and the

universe’s most difficult problems, no matter the

miracle the astronauts and engineers of the space

distance, and succeeding together as a human race.

program achieved together. ​Apollo 13​ starts off at Jim Lovell’s house party where guests watch his predecessor, Neil Armstrong, as he takes his first steps on the moon. After this, Lowell, who previously orbited the moon, stated that he intended to return and walk on it. Later, Lovell gets informed that he and his crew will take flight on Apollo 13. The astronauts then need to undergo rigorous training before they can leave on their mission to space, this training can take up to two years (“Astronauts in Training”). During the mission one of the tanks on the aircraft explodes and another leaks. This sends the aircraft tumbling off course and quickly running out of oxygen. After a few days in space the recovery ship allows the crew members to shift their resources that will eventually save their lives.​ Apollo 13 encompasses the pressures of dealing with dire circumstances. The astronauts involved exert determination, quick decision making, caring, and most importantly hope. These qualities make this thriller definitely worthwhile to watch.

While both films demonstrate success in vastly different ways, they both feature the characteristic of perseverance in order to tell stories

Mooney, Chris, and Brady Dennis. “Extreme

Works Cited

Hurricanes and Wildfires Made 2017 the Most Costly U.S. Disaster Year on Record.”

WashingtonPost​, 8 Jan. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-env ironment/wp/2018/01/08/hurricanes-wildfir es-made-2017-the-most-costly-u-s-disaster -year-on-record/?noredirect=on&utm_term =.11a10b65e35a.

Murray, Liz. ​Breaking Night: A Memoir Of Forgiveness, Survival,and My Journey From

Andrew, Andy. “The Traveler’s Gift - From New York Times Bestselling Author Andy Andrews.”

Andy Andrews - Bestselling Author​, 23 Oct.

Homeless To Harvard​. New York : Hyperion, 201. Print.

Tracy, Brian. “Seven Steps to Success.” ​Brian Tracy

2011,

International​,

www.andyandrews.com/ms/the-travelers-gi

www.briantracy.com/blog/personal-success/

ft/.

seven-steps-to-success/.

Apollo 13​. Produced by Ron Howard, 1995.

“Astronauts in Training.” ​NASA​, www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/fe atures/F_Astronauts_in_Training.html.

Carlowicz, M. “World of Change: Global Temperatures.” ​Earth Observatory​, NASA, 2010, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldO fChange/decadaltemp.php.

Forrest Gump​. Produced by Winston Groom, 1994.

“Help for Victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.” ​IRS​, www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaste r-situations.

“Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.” ​GlobalGiving​, www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-ha rvey-relief-fund/.

Living in separate locations allowed me to see a variety of people from different walks of life. I learned that every person has their own difficulties and many of which we often are unable to see. I also learned that despite how we all begin, all people can grow and achieve their goals.

About The Author

A few years ago a doctor diagnosed me with ADD -- Attention Deficit Disorder-- which hinders my ability to focus. After hearing this, I felt like teachers

I grew up in multiple geographic locations

treated me differently and separated me from my

and experienced a variety of trying circumstances.

classmates. Teachers often neglected to treat me like

In itself, moving from place to place never helped

the other children in their classroom. They spoke to

me to make friends or keep up other children my

me as if I could barely understand or was incapable

age. Due to my location changes, I learned the true

of learning anything at all. I hated the separation

impact of reaching out to someone different than

from my friends. I found all of this attention very

myself. Sometimes when I moved, I joined a new

embarrassing so I changed my circumstances. I

group of friends automatically, other times it took

worked hard on all of my school work and gradually

time for me to get to know others and for them to

grew to where I did not need any additional

accept me. However, no matter the situation I

assistance. I now take Honors and Advanced

started with, I always left with a group of friends of

Placement courses -- something people previously

whom I am still in contact with today.

thought unattainable for me-- and learned how to do

What we experience during our childhood

my work with minimal distraction. However, my

turns into a part of who we become. I grew up in a

story does not stop there. I plan to study electrical

circumstance in which living in a stable home

engineering or computer engineering in college and

seemed nearly impossible. My father who used to fix

hopefully change the world.

company’s always changed roles which caused my

My greatest success comes from my ability

family to move to different places and I was forced

to overcome and learn from the challenges I

to adapt. Due to these changes I became more

previously faced. My past inspired who I’ve become

aware of people who lived in different circumstances

and showed me what I am capable of. I’m excited for

than me and even others who were experiencing

my future, the opportunities to come, and the

poverty. Like others who had no control over their

chance to help others change their own

circumstances, I grew even more accepting of

circumstances as well. I hope to one day make the

broader people from other backgrounds and cultures.

world a better place.