The value of effort

I like this phrase that says "luck is when preparation meets opportunity." We live in an Instagram world where it seems like everyone achieves everything effortlessly. But that is not real.

Our children see the results, but not the path. They see the athlete winning, but not the hours of training. They see the famous artist, yet not the years of practice. And this creates an unrealistic expectation: that things must be achieved quickly and without effort.

And when they discover that this is not the case, they get frustrated. They give up. They think they are not good enough. However, value is not only in achieving things. It is in the process. In getting up every day and trying. In not giving up when it is hard. In discovering what we are capable of when we persist.

How can we teach this? First, by valuing effort over results. Instead of saying "what a good grade!", say "I’ve seen how you studied, I’m proud of your dedication." Instead of focusing on whether they win or lose, ask "did you try your best? Did you have fun?"

We can also share our own struggles. Tell them when something is difficult for us, when we have to try many times to achieve something. Let them see us making an effort and also making mistakes.

And above all, teach them that effort is what is in their hands. The results, not always. But if they try hard, they will always be able to be proud of the path taken.

Because in the end, it is not what we achieve that defines us, but how we achieve it. Until next month, and may you “ThinkThrough” a lot.