Reward effort, not outcomes

As we approach the end of the year, it feels like a good time to reflect on personal goals and achievements. Psychology experts say that enthusiasm is experienced in relation to our goals. Therefore, in the logical sense, we should all want a goal that we can never attain. A timer that never runs out. But here lies a great psychological conundrum. Because for some people, failing to achieve an intended goal can lead to great frustration, disappointment, and embarrassment. Literally nothing in nature blooms all year round, yet we expect ourselves to? Not unlike machines, we focus solely on outputs when measuring our performance. Perfectionists and high achievers lose the most in the end. If a person equates his or her core human worth to the value of his or her investment portfolio, then that person’s self-esteem will rise and fall with the stock market. This is a phenomenon fueling the mental health crisis around the world.

Sundar Pichai recently shared a piece of controversial advice when addressing Stanford Business School. Pichai said, “Businesses should reward effort, not outcomes”. On the contrary, many companies today reward outcomes, instead of efforts. As a result, employees are afraid to fail, they take safer bets, and the organisation becomes more conservative and less innovative over time. The same is true of life. We set our goals high. We try to do the impossible, and sometimes we fail. The important thing is never to stop trying. To never lose your spirit and your audacity for change.

In reminding you, I remind myself. Sometimes trying is enough.