"Success" is a universal goal. It's the feeling of satisfaction that you get after besting a struggle, after victory. Success is the reward for triumph. Success is defined by the individual. My definition of success differs from yours and your version of success may include fewer puppies in your home than my view of success.

So, we agree success is good because it's literally up to you what it means. But are the ways we get there also good? Is the path to happiness itself worth the journey. I think one common interpretation of success is to be in good health. To have a successful body may not be possible for those who want a successful life.

For many, at least in our American culture of glamour and celebs, success means $$$$$$$ (getting paper, moolah, cold hard cash). People are willing to sacrifice a lot in order to reach that goal. People who work hard jobs sacrifice sleep. Sleep is so important, it's literally how we can have the energy and ability to do anything and yet people stay up for days to complete what they need to do to acquire the money that translates to "success."

So, is pulling an all-nighter to finish that paper worth the potential success that a good grade could bring you? Is the business meeting that will seal the deal for your success worth stress-eating three chocolate bars?

Lately there's been a bit of a cultural shift. More and more people are trying to change the notion of success to mean happiness over money. Would you have a greater net happiness if you skipped the all-nighter and got a good night's sleep instead? Or, are the consequences from slacking in fact worse for you over all.

Let's examine success from the words of hip/hop artists, true cultural icons.

Exhibit A: Kid Cudi

In his song, "Pursuit of Happiness," he pushes for success to be based on our experiences in life: "If I fall, if I die, know I lived it to the fullest" (Scott Mescudi, 2010).

Exhibit B: 50 Cent

50 Cent, his name being an indicator, would perhaps argue using his song "I Get Money" that money is the defining characteristic of success: "I did play the block / Now i play on boats / In the south of France" (Curtis Jackson III , 2007).

What we have to decide is, what in life is going to make us happy. For many people, money is the goal and so they'll be digging for goal. For others, money is cheap, and worth less than a good sleep with a nice dream after a good day with good friends. Both schools of thought are successful as models of success. Once one successfully assesses what defines their success while ignoring the excess, they'll be on the express to success without stress; but I digress.

If money is your goal, then staying up all night to perfect your craft is going to be important. You'll be more willing to sacrifice your own initial happiness and well-being as a future investment. On the other hand, people who determine their success as sort of utilitarian (meaning based on total happiness) might decide that the stress of striving for monetary success just isn't worth it. That was never the focus.

I will leave you with a quote from my favorite thespian that always inspires me.

Don't let your dreams be dreams.

Yesterday, you said tomorrow.

So, JUST DO IT.

Some people dream of success,

But you're going to wake up and work hard at it!

-Shia LaBeouf