The Older you Are, the Less Praise You’re Going to Get
But that doesn’t diminish the importance of your achievements
Have you ever thought about how the bar for what is considered an “achievement” rises throughout our lives? When we were young, learning to walk, talk, or ride a bike were milestones for which we were enthusiastically praised, no matter how many times we had "failed." As adults, there isn’t much tolerance for failure.
When we were curious and asked lots of questions, it was considered a sign of intelligence and a desire to learn. As we grew up, however, there was a sudden expectation to have all the answers, and asking questions became frowned upon.
The older we get, the less praise we’ll get, especially for those achievements that might seem “insignificant” to others because they misunderstand our intrinsic motivation. I’ve noticed an increase in cynicism and scepticism in my social circles. I’ve seen people question the authenticity of both mine and other friends' milestones.
My family stopped patting me on the back for my successes a long time ago. It has both crushed my ego and helped me in the sense that I have learned not to base my self-worth on external validation. It made me realise that often the biggest milestones happen in the silences, in the reflections, in the inhales and exhales between this moment and the next. They don’t need to be acknowledged by anyone other than myself.
You know your own battles. You know the victories in between, and you know they are worth celebrating. The work that shapes your character is quiet, but the resulting growth is powerful, real, and inspiring.
What steps can you take to become your own biggest cheerleader?
