After reading an excerpt from Self- Help by Samuel Smiles, I can conclude that some of his theories can be applied to life while others cannot. His theories about the mentality of successful people is absolutely correct, but he would have needed to discuss more realistic scenarios in order to improve his book. Firstly, he believes that in order for one to move up in society and become more successful, one has to work much harder than the competition. I agree with this concept, because I believe that effort and determination are the only two qualities one truly needs in order to lead a fulfilling life. In addition, one must to be independent and not expect others to help them in life. This is extremely crucial to recognize, because success can only be determined by an individual. Others are not willing to spend the time to help others, and people should not look for outside help. Each person needs to have the initiative to go far in life. I think that each person must take it upon himself or herself in order to create proper results. In all, I agree with the mentality that Samuel Smiles suggests each person should have in order to achieve a better quality of life.
While I concur with Smiles’s principles about successful people’s mentality, he mentions that people should not blame the institution that they are currently in for their socioeconomic problems. In other words, if one is of low- birth and extremely poor, then that should not become that person’s excuse for poor performance. One must not blame his or her socioeconomic status for a lack of achievement. While I believe that each person must take ownership of one’s life in order to create one’s destiny, one should have a pragmatic view about the possibility of moving up in life. I believe that each person has a maximum limit of achievement that is determined by a variety of factors such as birth, economic status, and education. People with low birth, low economic status, and a lack of education do not have the same potential that intelligent, rich people generally have. In other words, not everyone can have the quintessential “rags to riches” story that is promoted in the media. For example, an Indian man living in a slum with a gang without education, money, or family is not going to become the next Bill Gates, simply because he does not have the means to do so. Yes, he may get a proper job, but he will not make a true name for himself. A person living in New York City who has at least a high school education and a decent job that can pay for night school has a better chance of becoming successful. The idea of limitations on accomplishments is applicable to life nowadays but also to the Industrial Revolution. The revolution had numerous dead- end jobs in factories where promotion was impossible; therefore, there was a crucial restriction against all working people. Not only are there limitations to success, but a person’s success should only be measured relatively to that person’s original lifestyle. Therefore, one who is extremely poor may do very well (considering where one came from) but might end up of living as a middle class person. Even though that person achieved a lot in his or her lifetime, that person is not considered extraordinarily successful, because he or she is not at the very top of the socioeconomic ladder. Furthermore, if one is born into an extremely rich family but does not value education and does not achieve much, then that person is not very successful in comparison to his or her initial position though he or she is at the top of the ladder. In all, the journey of hard work and perseverance is more important than the end result. Over all, I believe that there are certain limitations to achievements; therefore, a person’s accomplishments (which can only be reached through hard work and personal initiative) should only be measured in relation to his or her original lifestyle.
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