My title pretty much sums up what I will be going to talk about today. Results. Yes, many people are very result-oriented, and I admit I am pretty much one of those people. However, are results all that important?
Recently, I have already had a few tests. For these few tests, like the recent unseen poetry and mathematics test, I witnessed many of my classmates studying really hard for their tests, some even making thick, comprehensive notes for themselves in order to study in a better and more efficient way. For example, I have seen many classmates studying for their mathematics many days before and practicing a lot, even staying in class during recess to do their revision. Yes, this might be a little exaggerated, but it is true. They are willing to sacrifice their break time just to squeeze in that last bit of revision to get favourable marks and meet their expectations.
Yes, this can be said to be a very "kiasu" attitude held by these people, and it has also been a very prevalent trait in Singaporeans. Many Singaporeans are very afraid to lose and live in a very competitive society, thus putting a lot of pressure on themselves. But what for? What is the point of being so competitive? Does being this competitive help you to get better grades? Does putting this extra pressure on yourself let you obtain better grades?
This then brings me to my point with regards to Singapore being an overly-competitive society. I feel that people should not be this "kiasu" and being so result-oriented. For example, if one focuses only on their results, what is the point? I feel that one should not only be too fixated on their results, but on the character development as well. What would be the result if one does not show any gentlemanly behaviour, but has stellar grades? Would he still be able to become a successful person in the future? Personally, I feel that if you do not show any traits of being a gentleman, nothing you do in the future will succeed. The certificates are one thing, but the character is another and it is definitely much more important in the future when it comes to job interviews, etc. Thus, I feel that being too result-oriented is not necessarily a good thing, because having very good results does not guarantee you a high post in society in the future.
Next, I also feel that one should not put so much pressure on themselves by being so result-oriented. If one is too result-oriented, he would just have unnecessary pressure, which is something I admit I have occasionally. But what is the point of having this pressure? Does it help you with your grades? I do agree that putting this pressure on yourself would force you to study harder, but at what cost? You could have the grades, but psychologically and emotionally, would you be able to take the burden and pressure? Over the years, there is this sentence you hear extremely often by your teachers and coaches, "Your opponent is not your enemy, but you are your own enemy." I could not agree with this sentence more. What is the point of competing with others and giving yourself pressure? Why don't you just do your best and strive for the best by yourself, and overcome yourself instead of comparing with others. Only if you are able to do so, would you be able to study happily and carefree, constantly trying to get better grades by competing with yourself, but not so result-oriented that you would have to get the best in class for everything. This is something I have been trying to achieve all this time.
In conclusion, I feel that results are not everything. Character development is also something you need to have. If you feel that results can give you everything, you have to change your mindset. In addition, what you should aim to achieve is not to beat your friends, but instead, to better yourself every time and strive for excellence, just by studying hard on your own and not because you are trying to compete with your friends.
What are your opinions on this topic? What do you think about one being too result-oriented? Do you share the same opinions as me?
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