Process or Result? What matters more?

A master accompanied by his assistant was attending to his seekers in his usual abode. One by one, each seeker entered with a troubled face and left with a smile, having found the clarity they needed.

A man came in and he declared, “Master, I want to win the annual archery competition of our village, please suggest how I should go about it”. The master said, “Keep your eye on the preparation for the competition. Show commitment in your efforts every single day. You will get what you want.” Having got his answer, the man walked out with much confidence.

The assistant looked at his master in awe as the master wonderfully explained why results are not important but the process is. He took notes on this revelation – “Process is more important than the result” and summoned the next man in.

The next man came in and said. “Master, I practice archery every single day and I am damn good at it, but nobody respects me as a great archer, please suggest how I should go about it.” ?The master said. “Keep your eye on the upcoming annual archery competition. Show your drive towards winning it. You will get what you want.” Having got his answer, the man walked out with much confidence.

The assistant was now obviously perplexed. He took notes on this new revelation – “Result is more important than process”. But unable to contain the contradiction, he spoke, “Master, to the first man you said keep the eye on the process and result is less important but to the second man you said keep the eye on the results and the process is less important, which one is true?”

The master smiled and replied, “Son, that’s why you have two eyes”

The assistant having realized the valuable lesson now, re-wrote his notes which read – “Keep one eye on the process to ensure the result lasts, and one eye on the result to give the journey purpose.”

(C)KannanManoharanWithTheWords