What Success Means to Me at This Stage of Life 

By: Shikhar Kumar

Today, success is less about being better than the person next to me and more about being better than I was yesterday. In my earlier years, I was afraid of making mistakes because a “B” felt like a failure. Now, I realise that true success comes from the learning process.

If I struggle with a difficult math concept for three days but finally understand it on the fourth, that is a victory, no matter what my grade is. Success means:

• Having the resilience to face challenges.
• Maintaining the curiosity to ask “why” instead of just “what is the answer?”
• Taking ownership of my education and making choices that reflect my interests, not just what looks good on a transcript.

The Value of Balance

I used to think success meant being busy every second of the day. I believed that if I wasn’t constantly studying, practicing my instrument, or training for a sport, I was falling behind. At this point in my life, I’ve realised that success is actually found in balance.

High school brings a lot of pressure, and I’ve learned that being “successful” means nothing if I’m too exhausted to enjoy it. Maintaining my grades while also making time for a hobby, spending time with my family, or just having a quiet afternoon to recharge is a much greater achievement than burnout. Success involves having a sharp, focused mind but also a calm and healthy heart.

Impact in the “Small” Moments

Finally, success has become about how I treat the people around me. I’ve stopped looking for “greatness” in big, dramatic moments and started looking for “goodness” in my daily life. 

As Winston Churchill once said:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”