<p>This essay prompt is from the jan 2009 qas. What would you give the essay. Also notice the examples I use. Lets see if you can catch what im saying :)</p>
<p>Prompt: Do highly accomplished people achieve more because they set high expecations for themselves?</p>
<p>It is true that those who succeed in life are the ones who set high expectations for themselves. By doing so, these individuals strive to reach the highest peak or enter the stratosphere. Literature, athletics, and architecture all exemplify this statement.
In literature, The Life of Jeremiah epitomizes the definition of success. The novel is set in the late 20th century suburbs of Chicago. Jeremiah is a student who goes to an average high school among average students. Life is well for Jeremiah, his family, and his friends until an economic rescission hits his town and decimates the local businesses. After a year passes in the novel, Jeremiah’s neighborhood is riddled with crime and the education system became shambles. Most of Jeremiah’s friends set out to better their lives and bring the halcyon times back to their urban Chicago town. However, the recession is resilient and does not back away immediately. Everyone except Jeremiah believes that efforts to improve are futile and essentially toil in their failures. Jeremiah, who is struggling every day to scrap a few pennies to support his malnourished family, is resolute on escaping destitution. He believed that by studying hard and becoming a doctor at the state hospital, he would be able to live a comfortable life once more. Jeremiah sets his expectations so high that everyone shuns him for being disillusioned. Jeremiah works hard for the rest of his career and is finally able to become the head surgeon at the state hospital. At the end of his life, Jeremiah was glad that he embarked on an arduous but fullfilling journey which others would not.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the field of athletics also exemplifies that those who set their expectations high succeed. In the NBA, Michael Jordan captivated the world through the illustrious displays of his skills. Jordan’s accomplishments were so momentous in the basketball world that he was frequently asked about the source of his success to which he answered “to be the best.” Although other players in the league strived to be the best, no one had the intensity like Jordan did. He didn’t just strive for one championship but multiple and eventually one six. He didn’t just strive to lead the league in scoring he also lead the league in steals and assists for many years. Other players who were just more talented if not more than Jordan had complacent goals and essentially did not set the bar high enough. Jordan’s ravenous hunger and high expectations propelled him to be regarded as the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. When looking back in his career and general life, it was clear that Jordan took everything to the next level while others were smug.</p>
<p>In addition, Marco Venzatti was a superb architect from 16th century Italy. Venzatti lived around Sicilly Italy and designed numerous statues, cathedrals, churches, and buildings. His designs gave one a sense of peace and unity and combined the sacred elements of architecture. Although celebrated greatly later in his career, he was far less revered in his early years. Many of his architecture proffessors and compatriots had accomplished far more in short amounts of time. These individuals went to become smug and conceit. Venzatti on the other hand was criticized by his classmates for having lofty expectations to construct great cathedrals and churches. These individuals would later divulge into obscurity for Venzatti accomplished great feats of architecture and became renowned. Venzatti epitomizes what one can achieve when one sets high expectations.</p>
<p>In conclusion, lofty goals preclude success. The ones who dream of extravagant things are the ones who achieve the most. Complacency ultimately leads to failure while high expectations lead to success as shown by individuals in literature, athletics, and architecture.</p>