Is success determined by money?

What has a creative artist and an affluent businessman have in common? The answer is, however, simple. Both of them are employed therefore earn money. Nevertheless our society still stereotypically perceives the salary difference to be an indicator of the overall success. To an extent, it is common to perceive the higher reward as something that goes along with happiness, well-being or "luck". This is not the truth and can easily lead you into an endless forest of thoughts where contrasting opinions are written on leaves which fizz in the strong wind. Then you find yourself standing tentatively in the middle of all of that chaos.

Demonstrating this collision of reality and expectations on two people who work in different departments and have a different salary.

Our first subject is Dirk. This middle-aged man works as a businessman in his own company earning not less than 80 000 czk per month. His way to the current position wasn't easy since he changed multiple employers/jobs searching for someone who would trust him so that he/she would invest an honourable amount of money to support his idea. After long 10 years, he finally met his person who later made an investment in the seemingly strange unpromising idea of Dirk's. This particular idea, however, caught people's attention and soon after that, Dirk's journey to success was meeting its end. His customers now consider his sudden rise to a prominence as an accomplishment especially when the comparison of his former and current salary was made. Dirk is now a very wealthy as well as a successful man in eyes of many.

On the other shore stands Peter. A Young man in his late 20's who is a freelance artist struggling to make enough money through busking. One day he, as usual, takes his music equipment and hits the streets. Things spin around after the owner of the local theatre himself notices his talent and offers him to entertain the audience before the upcoming concert as a

pre-show runner though no money is promised. He cheerfully accepts this sudden offer.

In few days Peter finds himself standing in the bright spotlight on the stage of a sold-out theatre. People chatter at first but all of their conversations are interrupted as he starts to perform.

At the end of his performance, he is given a rather loud standing ovation which brings him to tears. He has just accomplished something very successful in his life, although the audience has no idea.

We have illustrated stories of two men who are familiar with the condition of being successful.

Looking at this example in greater detail we can point out the first difference. Dirk is known to be successful among people.

Peter, on the other hand, has experienced an achievement of a personal kind.

Another aspect in which they differ is the financial matter. Dirk's salary is above average whereas Peter does not get paid for what he does.

Penultimately, Dirk has no problem with lying to his customers in order to get more money- bigger profit. Peter, in contrast, does everything with heart and good intentions.

Despite all the differences, I am not afraid to say that money is not a good way to measure success since there are various types of it around us. Bearing this in mind, everybody should look at this issue from multiple angles before making a statement