Results,results,results, what about effort?

I got this sudden urge to write about this topic as my exams are finally over! I feel that people are obsessed over results and not so much emphasis on the learning process. While results are important, we must not forget the learning process. Results are meant to justify the effort one has put into it. Achieving good results make the doer feel good about himself and can be seen as a motivation to do better the next time.

Results is everywhere. From good grades in exams to business success to winning the World Cup in soccer, I feel we are overly obsessed in getting results. Some view results so importantly that they will do whatever it takes to achieve the best results. They say money can't buy success. But for Chelski, as we all know, has spent hundreds of millions on players,all thanks to Roman Abramovich. Quite amazingly, last season, Chelski clinched their first Premiership title since who knows when... I am sure Roman would think they that the finances he has pumped into the club is worth it.

However, what if one do not achieve the desired results. What if even after he has put in so much effort and time to reach his goal, but still fail to get it. Will the person immediately be deemed a loser, a failure. In Singapore, it is somehow like that. This can be seen in the education system. Children as young as 10 years old are being streamed accordingly,namely-special, express, normal(academic), normal(technical). At such a young age, they are being segregated all because of one exam. For the next few years to come, a sense of inferiority will surely manifest among those streamed to the 'not so intelligent' classes. This will in one way or another hinder the branded ' not so smart' child's other talent budding process.

You can say that results is the best way to classify success and failure. But is the effort put in equally important. In other words, is Effort+Time=Successful Results? Of course, it is hard for other people to see the effort and time put in while results is often the first thing people want to see and know. Puttin lots of effort into something does not guarantee reward. More often that not, it does not happen this way. In terms of education, there is a saying, 'Study smart, not study hard.' However that too requires effort. This simply means that to achieve results, a certain level of effort is definitely still needed. The point I am trying to drive through is that effort is often not being glorified. At the end of the day, results still matter cos no one is going to care how much effort you put in.

I feel quite sad that this is the way the world works. On the brightside, this means that people will be motivated to achieve the best results in whatever we do. I guess this is what makes the world tick...