Barriers of Success
ENG4U
February 28, 2014
Barriers to Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited for having said “do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This means an individual who creates their own trail, will essentially produce their own success. However, success is not only a destination, success is also a rather difficult journey, littered with barriers and obstacles along the way. The obstacles encountered throughout the journey of success are major deterrents that most young people cannot overcome. Among the various obstacles faced; apathy, lack of confidence, and poor planning are the most substantial. Apathy, better known as laziness, is a prevailing character trait found in the vast majority of young people, which ultimately limits their success. Young people have a tendency to want far more than what they are willing to work for. In other words, young people will not give their best effort, which results in very little advancement towards success. According to a survey conducted in 2009 by the Pew Research Centre: “Two thirds of [young people] said older adults were superior to the younger generation when it came to moral values and work ethic” (Rampell WK3). The survey’s findings support the notion that most young people are not as hardworking as adults. Poor work ethic is a significant factor in a young person’s inability to be successful. Laurence Shames accurately illustrates the perspective of many young people, when he wrote, “why make things more difficult by reaching for the stars?”
A key to achieving success is confidence, yet the majority of young people lack a considerable amount of confidence which in turn, has become a barrier to their success. An individual with very little confidence has great difficulty trying to reach goals, as well as struggling to achieve success as they are always discouraged by self-doubt like a dull, grey cloud looming over them. In addition, a lack of confidence opens the door
February 28, 2014
Barriers to Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited for having said “do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This means an individual who creates their own trail, will essentially produce their own success. However, success is not only a destination, success is also a rather difficult journey, littered with barriers and obstacles along the way. The obstacles encountered throughout the journey of success are major deterrents that most young people cannot overcome. Among the various obstacles faced; apathy, lack of confidence, and poor planning are the most substantial. Apathy, better known as laziness, is a prevailing character trait found in the vast majority of young people, which ultimately limits their success. Young people have a tendency to want far more than what they are willing to work for. In other words, young people will not give their best effort, which results in very little advancement towards success. According to a survey conducted in 2009 by the Pew Research Centre: “Two thirds of [young people] said older adults were superior to the younger generation when it came to moral values and work ethic” (Rampell WK3). The survey’s findings support the notion that most young people are not as hardworking as adults. Poor work ethic is a significant factor in a young person’s inability to be successful. Laurence Shames accurately illustrates the perspective of many young people, when he wrote, “why make things more difficult by reaching for the stars?”
A key to achieving success is confidence, yet the majority of young people lack a considerable amount of confidence which in turn, has become a barrier to their success. An individual with very little confidence has great difficulty trying to reach goals, as well as struggling to achieve success as they are always discouraged by self-doubt like a dull, grey cloud looming over them. In addition, a lack of confidence opens the door
Cited: Harper, Craig. “Barriers to Success.” 14 Oct. 2008. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. Rampell, Catherine. "A Generation of Slackers? Not So Much." New York Times 28 May 2011, New York ed. WK3. Print. Shames, Laurence. “The Sweet Smell of ‘Success’ Isn’t All That Sweet.” The New York Times 12 Apr 1986, n. pag. Print.