Lately I’ve been going through a change of heart. They say that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but only that you tried. I don’t believe this anymore.
I don’t want the doctor to just “try” and heal me from a life-threatening illness, I need the doctor to succeed! My bank will not accept that I “tried” to pay my credit card bills, my payments must be timely received or else my credit score gets affected. For these types of cases, simply having the intention will not make up for the failure to deliver.
This line of reasoning is making me think more results-oriented and focus more on the bottom line. It also got me to ask myself a more fundamental question: is it who you are or what you do that really matters?
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
Let me clarify my belief on trying - it’s definitely important to try. Success can only happen as a result from trying. I just think that winning should not be completely devalued. I believe that intent manifests into action, and action leads to success. The right intention doesn’t always produce the right action, and also, the right action doesn’t always produce success. However, if you repeat the right actions over time you will eventually achieve success. Likewise, your accomplishments over time will ultimately reveal your character. This statement is important - who you are will ultimately be revealed by your achievements. Do you know anyone that thinks they’re a nice person but their actions show they’re not so nice?
Can You Believe the Facade?
What about the people that do things for show? The ones that don’t act with sincerity but instead for the sake of their public image? A good example are the politicians that visit soup kitchens and inform reporters well ahead of time to maximize the PR opportunity. If one is conniving enough, one can effectively shape their public image, which may not necessarily be consistent with their true self.
Ask the Right Question
As I asked myself these questions, I came to the conclusion that I was not asking the right questions. There are two questions here. First, is who you are or what you do that matters with respect to public perception? Second, what is the answer with respect to the Truth? Sometimes the Truth can be openly seen and the public perception is the same, but in many instances they are not.
You can choose which question is most important for yourself, but I chose to answer the question with respect to the Truth. In my humble opinion, intent leads to action which then leads to achievements. Over time, if I honestly assess my achievements and they’re not consistent with my beliefs, then I was delusional and I am not who I thought I was. Others may or may not see all that I’ve done, but I would know and that’s how I keep myself accountable.
Can You Judge a Story Before It’s Over?
I also believe that the record must be long enough to make a good judgment. Looking at a small snapshot can be misleading. In fact, I don’t even consider looking at my life history to be sufficient to judge me. I’m not done yet! My story is still being written - you can’t judge a book before you finish reading the ending. Likewise, there are many stories going on with me now, and even more that I have not yet started, which brings me back to full circle. Who I am might already be defined, but I also care about who I want to be. My beliefs, values, and goals will continually manifest itself into actions and achievements, and if I continue to act with integrity, then who I will be will become consistent with who I want to be.
译文:
你是谁或你怎么做，哪个更重要？
最近，我经历了一场心理变化。人们都说输赢不要紧，你努力过就行了。但现在我不这么认为了。
我不想医生只是“努力过”来医好我的致命之病，我要他成功医好我的病。银行不会同意我只是“努力过”去付帐单，我必须按时支付，否则信用就受影响。所有这些例子说明，只是有努去做过是于事无补的。这样的分析让我更注重实效，更多关注底线。我也问了自己一个更深层的问题：你是谁或你怎么做真的那么重要吗？
行动比大话更有效
我试着将我的观点归类--尝试当然也重要。你试过才会成功。我只是认为不应该将成功完全踩低。我相信目的在行动中体现，而行动带来成功。正确的目的不一定有正确的行动，同样，正确的行动不一定会带来成功。然而，如果你不断重复正确的行动，终究会成功。同样，你长期的成就最终会体现你的性格。这点很重要--你的成就终究会显现你是谁。你知道有人认为自己很友好但是他们的行动却不那么友好吗？
你相信外表吗？
那些做秀的人如何呢？那些为了公众形象而不真诚的人们呢？那些政治家们就是一个好例子，他们参观汤厨房，通知记者提前到来达到公共关系最大化的机会。如果够奸诈，还可以改变自己的公众形象，大可不必名副其实。
问对问题
我问这些问题的时候，就觉得自己没有问对问题。这有两个问题。第一，公众的看法对于你是谁或你怎么做很重要吗？关于这个真相的答案是什么？有时候真相是明摆着的，公众看法也一样，但是大多数情况不是这样。
你可以选择问对你最重要的问题，但我可以选择回答与事实有关的问题。以鄙之愚见，目的导致行动，行动带来成功。久而久之，如果我老实评价一下我的成就，而它们与我的信仰不符，那么我就会痴心枉想，我不再是我了。别人也许看到或者没看到我所做的一切，但我自己知道，而且那是对自己的交代。
故事结束之前你会下定论吗？
我也相信记录要保持得够久才会有好的定论。匆匆下定论会误导人的。其实，我甚至没有考虑到我的生命历程足以来给自己下定论。我的人生还没有结束！我的故事仍在继续--你怎么能在还没读完一本书之前就去评判它呢？同样，我身边有很多故事，更多的我还没有开始，那些故事将填满我的人生。我是谁也许已经不能改变，但我关心我想变成谁。我的信仰，价值观和目标将不断体现在行动与成就里。如果我做得正直，那么我就会成为我想要成为的那个人。