SAT Style Research Paper

SAT Style Essay If a teacher asked a class of first graders, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?' How many of them would say they wanted to be an entrepreneur, or a stock broker, or a high ranking executive of a large corporation? The answer is none. Generally, children picture themselves helping others as Police Officers, Firefighters, Doctors, or Lawyers and so forth. This illustrates the natural motivation of people to achieve by personal satisfaction, but unfortunately, the influence of money and fame can radically change an individual's frame of mind when it comes to motivation. Although the media, governmental system, and corporations tell the average person they want money and fame, the great majority of people are still motivated more to achieve something for personal satisfaction, even those that are already rich and famous.
It's truly amazing what a person is capable of achieving when correctly motivated.
A person who is, without a doubt, the prime example of this truth is none other than cycling legend Lance Armstrong. In 1996, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs, abdomen, and brain. Doctors told him he had less than a 50% chance of survival. At this point in his career Armstrong had not won the Tour de France (the holy grail of cycling) but had won various stages. Unbelievably, Armstrong made a full recovery and went on to win a record seven Tours, and dominated the sport until his recent retirement, but his story does not end here. Back in 2004 Armstrong started the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation, raising money by selling elastic yellow wrist bands with the engraved message "Live Strong" to raise awareness. Despite only being founded three years ago, the foundation has raised over $15 million, and sold over 55 million "Live Strong" wristbands world
wide. In a variety of ways, this statement also applies to me and my schoolwork. Over the years, I have not garnered a reputation regarding me as a great student, but I work hard and try to do what I have to. It is much easier to get myself motivated to complete a task that is pleasing to me rather than doing it for pay. I also really enjoy helping others, whether it is a simple task on the computer, or helping my neighbor pack up their house to move. Lately, my parents and counselor have really pushed me to get more involved in school activities and clubs because they look nice on a college transcript. In my opinion, this kind of thinking is illogical. I would much rather be helping a friend, studying, or doing something else productive than sitting in Spanish club just to spruce up my transcript. In the long run, the name of the University on your degree does not make nearly as much of a difference as what you do with it, and what you do with your life. Especially today, there are more people that are motivated solely on greed, but that doesn't mean that the person is not motivated by personal satisfaction. In a sense, Wealth really does not bring happiness, and in time all people come to see that whether they are rich or poor. As for the teachings of history, Literature, and our own human nature, they tell us that our lives will be fulfilled by achieving a sense of personal satisfaction rather than money and fame, and hopefully, at some point in every person's life, they will come to know this wonderful feeling.