“Success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles one has overcome”, Booker T. Washington, spoke of that success cannot be measured based on a person's wealth and status, but by the hard work and commitment they put in to achieve their goals while overcoming challenges along the way. Washington makes a brilliant point, although there are others who would disagree, instead viewing materials as a measure of success. Since when did success start to be measured in an acquisitive way? Modern society has forcibly inculcated people – through television, social media and iconic celebrities – that being successful has everything to do with the materialistic objects, luxuries, money and fame a person has. In contrast, success has nothing to do with money and fame, but rather with the characteristics needed - dedication, perseverance and motivation - to overcome obstacles, achieve personal goals and find happiness within oneself. For someone to be successful they must overcome challenges. and the obstacles they face on their journey to success. Most people confuse this concept by believing that success is determined by the amount of money a person has in the bank, and when faced with an obstacle, that money can simply be thrown into play to solve any complication. This concept, however, lacks the ideas of courage and dedication in facing problems head on. Money can buy comforts and luxuries, but it cannot replace hard work and the experience gained by overcoming what life throws at us. For example, Oprah Winfrey is one of the best-known, most iconic and richest people in the world. She is recognized worldwide as a successful woman for being a millionaire and a celebrity...... middle of paper ...... have created the unrealistic idea that money and fame can be used to buy oneself the path in life, leaving them with no goals to achieve; this is not a success. Success consists in finding motivation and directing it towards a set goal, then with patience and perseverance over time reaching that goal. For example, the hit television show The Biggest Loser shows the lives of many overweight people and their goal of losing weight over a 17-week period. Every contestant on the show is a successful person because they had a set goal in mind and used their knowledge and motivation to achieve it. Although some contestants lost more weight than others, everyone tried the challenge and lasted as long as they physically could. Instead of spending money on buying liposuction or high-quality diet pills, they put their heart and soul into a set goal and achieved it, thus achieving success..