Success is a beacon that attracts the best qualities from within young people. During a time when the path leading to adulthood seems like a dark maze, the feeling of achievement acts as a guide to show us where to keep going. On the other hand, those who do not face success immediately are encouraged to try harder when they see the happiness of their peers who have done so already.
We have always been taught that hard work never fails to yield success. We have been told that simply putting in enough effort will bring achievements and change in your life. This is true on some level. However, in the real world, there are so many more variables added into the equation, and success becomes much rarer to gain. Inequality, competition and a negative environment all determine whether you achieve your goals or not. Thus, success is never immediately accomplished by a person just entering into a new field because the process of finding the way to accomplishments by itself requires a certain level of experience and wisdom.
Recently, I found myself getting quite impatient while attempting to complete a simple task – making dinner. I had dumped a packet of noodles into the boiling water and it seemed to remain uncooked for much longer than usual. As I prodded at the hard mass and checked to see if I had accidentally turned off the stove, it suddenly occurred to me to check the package. I then discovered that I had purchased a new type of noodles that was of higher quality and was less processed. Hence, it took a few more minutes to cook than usual. I had gotten so used to cooking instant noodles that its better version was suddenly a hassle for me to prepare, regardless of the fact that it tasted much better.
Our generation has taken a similar approach to life. We have grown so used to “instant success” whereby simple efforts are rewarded, that when the world of work and tertiary education only offers reward for extended periods of hard work, and in some cases does not offer reward at all, we become discouraged. While it is extremely important to reward children for persistence and perseverance, it is also equally important to show them that recognition must not be the sole motivation to pursue a goal. Sometimes, the achievement of a great personal goal is never acknowledged, and sometimes, persistence and hard work is not rewarded for a long time.
Young people today have grown dull and unmotivated, not because they are unskilled and not because they experience a lack of opportunities to find success, but because they overestimate the value of the time and effort they put into each endeavour. Our children are being raised to believe that excellence is the same as trying one’s best, and that recognition is the same thing as success. This is leading them into believing that they do not need to leave their comfort zone to make achievements, and the disprovement of this notion when they enter into the real world shocks them. Every young generation at any point in history will have the opportunity to grow up with the best technology and opportunities that are present during that era. As time progresses, these technologies and opportunities have become better and better, and made the chance to innovate more accessible. While we provide our young generation with tangible tools to lead our world into a better version of itself, let us not forget to provide them with the tools to navigate through failures with the right attitude as well.
Renika Anand is currently a student at Marian Academy.