Life, to a large extent, is unpredictable. In some instances, efforts put in place to achieve a purpose prove effective with the purpose achieved while in other cases, the efforts prove ineffective.
We can't shy away from luck also. In a case where you have two people putting in equal efforts for similar objectives with varying results may be considered as both not being fortunate or lucky to the same extent.
In all of these, I make sure that I give my best in whatever that I am trying to achieve. If I give all my efforts to achieving an objective and it doesn't work, I won't be hard on myself because I would be convinced that the fault wasn't mine. I would try and learn from the failure. I would only feel bad if I spot where I have failed to put in possible efforts.
One experience that I had in failing to get expected results after putting in maximum effort was when I graduated from highschool and was seeking admission into University. I was deliberate about studying hard to get admitted by merit.
I prepared intensely for the University Matriculation Examination, as it was then referred to, an entrance examination for all students seeking admission into any undergraduate degree program in Nigerian Universities. I bought a book of past questions and answers in each of the four subjects I was to take and started preparing with it. I didn't rely on my knowledge alone, rather I consulted my teachers and university students that were available to put me through some difficult topics.
I wrote the examination and got a good score and it was followed by a post-UME examination conducted by the University that I applied to. The result of the post-UME examination was released and I came second on the list of students across the country that were seeking admission in the Electrical Engineering department of the University. With such results, I was confident that by whatever criteria they were going to use, I would get admitted on merit.
Behold, the admission list was released and my name wasn't on it. I felt sad immediately but on a deeper thought, I was convinced that the fault of not getting the admission wasn't mine. I took it that it was never meant for me at that particular time. I moved on in my pursuit to secure University admission.
The following year, I wrote another UME but wasn't admitted. I applied again the following year, this time around I changed my choice of university, and I was admitted.
From my first day in the institution, I vow to give in my possible best to my studies and graduate with an excellent grade. I heard many stories about how impossible it was to get a high grade from the department.
"Many had tried it without success," I was told.
I didn't give in to such discouragement.
All I was convinced of doing was giving the best of my efforts and whatever comes out of it, I would take it proudly. I read like my survival is dependent on reading. Friends around me were telling me to take it easy on myself but I told them that what I was doing was within my power and I didn't see any reason not to do it.
After about five years in the university, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree. The most fulfilling part is that I achieved my aim this time around. My efforts paid off. I graduated top of the class with a First Class degree. I was elated that I got what I worked for and I used the same achievements to tell those who were close to me but pessimistic about their potentials to see possibility in every channel of growth.
The two experiences taught me many lessons. One of the lessons is that in whatever I do, I should put in my best efforts and after doing that, I should accept the results whether good or bad and move on.
Not all efforts will lead to success. Some successes would come without any reasonable effort put in place.
Whatever the case may be, one should avoid a situation where you see the fault of yourself leading to failure of any sort.
What is worth doing is worth doing well.
