I overheard a student and a professor in the hall. The student was handing in a paper that was apparently overdue and incomplete. I assure you that the hall is not where this type of exchange should happen and leaves one wondering why the student did not hand in the paper during class time. However, that’s not the point.

The student said, “Here’s the assignment that was due yesterday. I ran out of time and didn’t get it finished.” The professor said thank you and presumably took the paper. The student said, in a cheery voice, “Well at least I tried”.

That surprisingly self-satisfied exclamation reminded me of another instance. A student of mine handed in a poorly worded paper that failed to address the assigned issue beyond a quick personal opinion. He was shocked and angry that the resulting mark was abysmally low. He told me the assignment was stupid and my instructions poor. Clearly he felt that he should not receive a low mark for something that was, in his mind, not his fault. One has to conclude that he felt he should have been rewarded for “trying” against such extraordinary odds.

I am reminded of Yoda’s famous saying: “Do or do not. There is no try.” Or Nike’s inspirational, “Just do it.”

At some point in our lives we have all been admonished, “You didn’t even try!” As parents we have begged a reluctant child, “At least try it!” It seems that some people have taken this as an indication of something worthy of reward.

Certainly, when it comes to new experiences we cannot say we do not like something if we don’t try it. In this sense try means to sample.

You cannot say you can’t do something if you have never attempted it.

So it is possible to try something and not like it. It is possible to try something and fail. And clearly it is necessary to try. Without attempt or effort nothing happens. But rewards for merely trying should only be extended to very small hesitant children.

I’ll repeat it – because it is important. It is possible to try – and fail. In fact, as we attempt new things and take on greater challenges we should expect to fail. That is how we learn, that is how we test our limits. Trying is necessary. Trying is worthy of a personal sense of satisfaction. But, rewards, if any, come from doing and succeeding.