It’s 2025, and I’m still grappling with the same question that’s probably been echoing through human consciousness for centuries: “What would you change about modern society?” The answers are endless, of course. Climate change, inequality, political polarization – the list is long and daunting. But if I had to pick just one thing, one fundamental shift that I believe could ripple outwards and positively impact so many other areas, it would be this: I would dismantle our society’s unhealthy obsession with success.
Now, before you reach for the pitchforks, let me clarify. I’m not advocating for a world without ambition, without striving for improvement, or without celebrating achievements. Far from it. Innovation, progress, and personal growth are vital. What I’m talking about is the relentless, often brutal, and deeply ingrained societal narrative that equates individual worth solely with external markers of “success.”
Think about it. From the moment we’re toddlers, we’re subtly, and sometimes not-so-subtly, being fed this message. Good grades, competitive sports, prestigious universities, high-paying jobs, perfect bodies, lavish lifestyles – these are the rungs on the ladder we’re all expected to climb, often at breakneck speed. Social media, in its infinite scroll of curated perfection, amplifies this pressure to an almost unbearable degree. Everyone, it seems, is either “crushing it” or pretending to. And if you’re not, if you’re treading water, or worse, if you’re failing, there’s a pervasive sense of inadequacy, of being “less than.”
This obsession manifests in countless destructive ways. It fuels a relentless pursuit of more, leading to burnout, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of never being enough. We sacrifice genuine connection for networking opportunities, creative passions for lucrative careers, and personal well-being for the elusive promise of “making it.” The fear of failure becomes paralyzing, stifling experimentation and risk-taking. We become so focused on the destination that we completely miss the journey, and often, we arrive at our supposed “peak” only to find ourselves hollowed out and unfulfilled.
Consider the mental health crisis gripping our youth. A significant contributor, I believe, is this relentless pressure to perform, to excel, to constantly be on an upward trajectory. The idea that it’s okay to struggle, to take a different path, or simply to be without constantly doing is often lost in the noise. We’re raising generations who are conditioned to believe their value is transactional, tied to their output and achievements rather than their inherent humanity.
What would a society look like if we loosened our grip on this obsession? Imagine a world where intrinsic motivation was valued over external validation. Where the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, the joy of creating, the richness of human connection, and the quiet satisfaction of a life well-lived were held in higher esteem than the size of one’s bank account or the number of accolades on one’s resume.
It would mean a radical redefinition of “success.” Perhaps success would be measured by the depth of our relationships, the kindness we extend to others, the contributions we make to our communities, or simply the ability to find joy in everyday moments. It would involve a cultural shift away from constant comparison and towards genuine self-acceptance. Education would focus less on standardized testing and more on fostering curiosity and critical thinking. Workplaces would prioritize well-being and purpose alongside productivity.
This isn’t about promoting mediocrity or discouraging ambition. It’s about fostering a more compassionate, more resilient, and ultimately, more human-centric society. It’s about recognizing that true fulfillment rarely comes from external validation, but from within. It’s about creating space for different definitions of a good life, allowing individuals to flourish in ways that are authentic to them, rather than conforming to a narrow, often unattainable, ideal.
So, if I could wave a magic wand, I would dim the blinding spotlight on external success and instead illuminate the myriad, often subtle, ways in which a life can be rich, meaningful, and deeply satisfying. I believe that by liberating ourselves from this obsession, we could unlock a tremendous amount of human potential, not just in terms of what we achieve, but in terms of who we become. And that, to me, would be a truly revolutionary change.
