Does trying hard really count in the end?

Yes but one must learn how to try hard.  Those who never try hard cannot.  It is a valuable skill because sometimes trying hard yields success when anything less will generate only failure.

Therefore trying hard counts not only now but also prepares us for the future.

This is also why it is good for children to develop skills which are difficult to master like playing a musical instrument or a difficult sport skill.  This gives them an opportunity to learn to try hard.

Trying hard to do your best makes you a better person no matter how much people criticise you.

Even in failure you learn if you try hard enough and take advantage of the failure to gain more knowledge.

Unfortunately, this is changing.  Children are rewarded just for participating, nobody loses, everybody wins.  This is a HUGE diservice to our kids, because, as you stated, that's not how adult like works.  Thanks to these people who say that you can't take away a chair while playing musical chairs we have an entire generation growing up with an sense of over-entitlement.  They think the world owes them something, just because they were born.

The old "Everybody gets a trophy!" trick, Elizabeth.  After teaching for years, I can assure people that even the youngest of kids are on to this game, and they really don't buy into it.  They actually look like they go along with it more for the adults involved.  Kids know when they've really done something worthy of admiration, and when they haven't. 

I have heard actually, those kinds that were treated like that are causing problems for large corporate employers... They have mothers who call up and complain about their child's poor evaluations, or how they are treated at work. So much so, they are having to train their HR people in how to deal with these type of mothers! Gesh how bad can it be? Their mothers are largely responsible for such a mess.

UGH - yes it is sad how this is happening. 

They also don't understand why they can't take a week off right after they start a job.  Or why they can't just NOT show up and keep their job.

In the wisdom of Yoda, "Do or do not. There is no try."

I love this one.  It is so apt and I use it all the time.

I can almost hear Yoda say that in his cute little voice. :-)

Bill, great!

Excellent quote - I know a few people I am going to say this to!!!!!!

I'm with Bill on this one. I had a professor in college who forbade the use of the word try. He said to him to try gives one a built in excuse for failure. You either do it or not. No trying. Simply do it. With that in mind I set a goal and do it. Has nothing to do with trying harder or not but ony completing the task.

I agree with Spencer.

If you really do try then you learn.  You can fail and learn - to succeed a different time.

Some things in life are mostly just luck, so you have to plug away at it again and again, and polish your game.

That's a tough lesson to learn while sky-diving, Peter. :-)

For a lot of things like that, I'm sure.  And for other things, you really can try and try until you do succeed.

I guess it just depends on what it is.

I remember my elementary report cards had two grades next to each subject - one for 'effort' and one for 'grade'.  I guess it is good to make sure kids learn that they will never succeed at something if they do not put in total effort, and that even if you get an "A" for effort, you still could fail.  But, life is full mostly of times in adulthood where effort matters little - you either succeed or fail.  And failure could have disastrous consequences.  So, I guess the lesson is that your practice should be well-chosen in those areas, and private, so that you do not end up hurting yourself and others along the way.  Otherwise, medical students would be allowed to practice on live humans, rather than dead bodies. 

We would all like to believe those who try the hardest are rewared in the long run.

But probably not in most cases. Our society has become to obssesed though, with the bottom line. Life is the stuff above the bottom line..

Try telling that to my clients if I was to screw up a trade in their IRA, Dexter.

Or the SEC, for that matter. :-)

 Well, first off, your in the wrong job... the really wrong job..... have you ever thought about a meaningful carrier? Money is just a minor part of life and your stressing out trying to help people who really don't need any more money. Simplify your life and concentrate on the things that are really important.. and I promise you, they are "not" things or superfisal friends. When you come to the end of life and  look back it will be sad if you keep your values in such a shape. There is really not much sadder than your type of carrier in the long run.

MY type of carrier?  WTH?  Yes, I have my own investment business...but my clients are not rich.  They are people trying to save for their retirement because there are no longer things like pensions.  They are responsible human beings, not wishing to be destitute or depend on their children for food when they are older.

And, Dexter, I DO do a lot of good things.  I put on an annual concert series, free to the public, because of my hard, free-of-charge year long effort to gather up sponsorships, negotiate with performers and be there with a handful of helpers to do all the work.  I volunteer every Sat to tutor disadvantaged kids and take them on field trips.  I am a dedicated Rotarian that works hard to raise money to help kids go to college, fight poverty, provide water to those who do not have it, fight polio and do a whole lot of other things. 

I've raised two wonderful, successful children who can fend for themselves and are truly good people who also work to help others.  I live frugally, in a modest home, growing veggies in a garden, and working hard not to impact the environment in a negative way.  I give alot of my money to human rights and environmental causes, helping personally whenever I can.

So, please don't assume that I'm something other than I am...and in the 'really wrong job'.  Glad to meet you.

You still sound very stressed.. maybe you just need to chill out more, live life more simply. Nice to meet you too... But the financial industry is not good for a persons metnal health, in my book. I was in it once upon a time .. and looking back at my age I probably would have had a better life if I had spent that time playing a piano in a whorehouse.

Well, that's hard to comment on, Dexter.  I was a professional musician for years, but never played piano in a whorehouse.

And my life is full - and that's just the way I like it.  I'm accomplishing a lot.  I guess I could be sitting at home, chillin' out.  I like helping people, either manage their finances (we're a fee-only, long-term investment advisor - I don't do any active trading like you see on tv), or with their education, or as a fantastic, ethical group collectively trying to wipe out poverty, disease and suffering in the world. 

People enjoy different paces, I guess.  I am happiest when I'm busy doing things that are positive for my family and for others.  I am unhappiest sitting around thinking about my own problems.  To each his own.  I may sound stressed to you, but I'm not 'stressed'...I'm leading a full, and fulfilling life.  And my mental health is just about as good as anyone else who is considered 'sane', thanks.  :-)

I TRIED really hard to come up with a witty comment, but I couldn't, so I didn't. (but I TRIED...)

Some get too caught up in the saying, "Try and if at first you don't suceed, try and try again."  It implies that if you try enough times you will eventually succeed and no one can suceed at everything they try.

If one never "tries" anything, they will never "do" anything. I think people are getting hung up on some blurring in the definition of the word "try." I don't think I was very successful the first time I "tried" to ride a 2-wheeler, but after some time, I mastered it... my parents taught me the most important grades on my report card were the ones that had to do with effort & citizenship. Through effort, one learns which things they can be successful "doing."

You can try REALLY HARD to pound a nail into a chunk of marble.  Nothing useful will happen, but you can work really hard at it.

I think trying hard should count, if the person was really trying.  The catch is, you nor I can know what the other person is really doing.  That's why there's that Bible scripture that says "Judge not."  It seems to me if someone does try hard and fails and others don't give them credit, there's no reason to try again.