Once a student from the University asked me my definition of the word SUCCESS. My answer was very simple and fast……. Success means achievement.
Again he asked me, and what does Achievement mean? Taking a little more time I said Achievement means Effort. And again he questioned me saying, and what does Effort mean? My response was a little slower, and confusing…
It is very difficult to define the word effort, because everyone has their own concept, for some it means sacrifice, for some others perseverance or dedication, for others it means reaching a goal and for others… (I don't know…)
After thinking about the concept, we conclude that the effort does not have a universal definition, no one is able to catalog other people on the subject, There is no quantitative or qualitative definition of Much Effort or Little Effort (when what we analyze is not a physical task).
The value of people's effort must be evaluated in isolation, that marathoner who always came in fourth or fifth place has more merit and after making an effort manages to come first, and not that who always came first and without more effort comes again in the first place, (the definition of effort for these two marathoners is totally different).
Here the fourth question arose,
- What does the effort depend on? Does it depend on knowledge? Does it depend on experience? Does it depend on…?
My answer this time was more secure, because throughout the talk that student was convincing me of what I should answer.
and my answer was…
Effort depends on Attitude. But before you ask me again I want to add that:
- Attitude is a consequence of the satisfaction that people feel for what they do and…… Satisfaction is a consequence of the fulfillment of individual goals.
In other words, the only one who can qualify the effort is the one who makes it, because the only valid comparison is with oneself, in relation to the objectives we have set for ourselves.
It was up to this moment, when in the face of that student I perceived conviction of my answer; and that is…
… even I was convinced, but more than convinced, I felt that I could breathe easy.
