Relationship between the processes we undertake and their results

Question for you: How did you interpret the “>>>” sign in between ‘process’ and ‘results’?

Did you choose 1) “leads to” or 2) “greater than?”

Our first instinctive choice would likely be option 1: “leads to,” meaning we believe that the relationship between the processes we undertake (especially to achieve a certain goal) lead to intended or desired results.

Outcomes including success, money, and approval are often viewed as direct and constant results of our endeavors. Although this relationship is not entirely false because our efforts often do allow us to reach our goals, basing our mindset solely on this will be harmful in the long-run. The reason is this: When the results don’t match the ones we aimed for, we begin to question why we even ‘tried’ or ‘worked hard’ in the first place and/or blame ourselves for not being competent. These thoughts and feelings are likely to linger and thus negatively impact our other endeavors and change how we strive for our goals but for the worse. We might lose confidence in our own abilities and courage to take on another task successfully, which significantly hinders our chances for improvement.

Criticizing ourselves for an undesirable outcome, like falling short of a goal, is often a result of embracing the idea that hard work equals success, too much. Again, our efforts can and often do help us achieve our objectives—just not always. It’s crucial for you to realize this because you must be willing to accept failure or shortcomings (even if you worked constantly, diligently, and incredibly long for a goal) that happen in order to learn and move on from them, while continuing to make progress in the future.

So let’s consider option 2: “greater than.”

The processes we undertake are greater in value, purpose, and meaning, than the outcomes.

This interpretation, contrary to the first, always holds true because it tells us that the result of something, regardless of ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ does not negate the journey we took to reach wherever we are. We should focus on the value that the journey and the processes that constitute it bring us.

Sometimes it may be difficult to realize this immediately because we don’t want to accept undesirable outcomes; however, from almost any situation, we are able to gain experiences and learn important lessons. In other words, we obtain the most value from the processes that we underwent—regardless of where we eventually reach. We learn to become strong, resilient, mature, and much more, which help us grow in ways that ultimately benefit ourselves, our well-being, and our future.

For instance, if you finished an arduous project at work or school yet you didn’t receive the grade or comments you had hoped for and others do not appreciate your effort, it may be unclear at first as to why you should even pay any attention to how you got there, since that process did not yield the outcome you aimed for.

Sure, if they did in fact appreciate your contribution and you did receive approval from others you would feel much happier and satisfied, but your hard work and what you learned while completing the task, are much more valuable than the actual outcome. And to be frank, such appreciation is often short-lived and your feelings do not last forever, so focusing on what you experienced to reach that point benefits you more and holds so much more purpose for you.

You should always be proud of your efforts and perseverance—no matter how others try to evaluate it.

Just because you didn’t achieve the desired results or weren’t “successful” in an endeavor, the processes you went through to reach wherever you are, are more purposeful because they provided you with opportunities for personal growth and left you with meaningful lessons, knowledge, and skills that endure. Therefore, what we gain from every experience is never defined by the outcome. It is, though, defined by how we choose to interpret them and let them impact our lives. We should always choose the best for ourselves.

Remember, hard work and commitment are indispensable for success (whatever we define this as), so keep trying your best to reach your own goals!; however, success is not an inevitable result of—nor is it always proportional to—the time and effort we invested in trying to reach a certain objective.