When I was a kid, I remembered people say “Try and try until you die” more than “try and try until you succeed.” I know it’s a joke but I think that narrative has lead to many of us shaming people who are “trying hard.”
In writing and making videos, I get comments saying how “trying hard” I am.
- “Nagpapaka-trying hard kasi!”
- “TH masyado!”
- “Trying hard sumikat!”)
At work, when my output wasn’t good enough, I would receive constructive feedback like, “Thanks for trying hard,” “Good thing you tried,” or “Keep trying!”
There are people who would recognize the effort, and there’s another who would call you out for trying hard because they don’t see failure as part of success.
People look at your mistakes. But mistakes are proof that you are trying. There is no shame in putting in the work. It’s better than do nothing at all.
Can we normalize trying hard?
Trying hard means making an effort. And making an effort is hard work. So, in effect, they could be similar.
“No human ever became interesting by not failing. The more you fail and recover and improve, the better you are as a person. Ever meet someone who’s always had everything work out for them with zero struggle? “
Chris Hardwick
So there is nothing wrong with trying hard, okay. You can only do your best. If other’s can’t appreciate that, it’s their problem.
The right people will always appreciate you.
Keep trying. One day, God-willing, you will reap the fruits of your hard work.
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Top photo from unsplash
