what qualities do you think are essential for success?

for me, true success is not measured by wealth or status but by forging a path unshackled from external validation, a concept nietzsche perfectly captures when he wrote, “you must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” this idea has always resonated with me: success lies not in avoiding chaos, but in embracing it to create something transcendent. at its core, success is the will to power, not as domination over others, but as the relentless drive to overcome oneself. it demands rejecting conformity, resisting complacency, and embracing struggle as the catalyst for self-transformation. as a neurodiverse individual, i have lived this philosophy intimately. my neurodivergence made me non-conforming by default, which felt extremely isolating, because i just wanted to fit in but couldn’t conform. growing up, i learned to use that difference as a strength, a way to define myself, not a flaw to fix. this journey is deeply individual. success isn’t found in accolades, but in the authenticity of one’s existence. it is built on continuous self-interrogation and the courage to confront life’s “abysses,” knowing they’ll leave you stronger. if you can stare into the chaos and still choose to dance, that is success.