Be A Quiet Achiever
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Hey friend, In a world where everyone is posting their progress at every step, there is another option. To be a quiet achiever. Most people feel the need to broadcast their achievements. The trouble is, we often become addicted to the praise that comes with it. I’ve fallen into that trap before. Striving to achieve only for the approval of others—letting their praise fuel the next pursuit. But there’s nothing wrong with achieving quietly. It comes back to our own sense of internal motivation. Can you achieve something and be okay with the fact that no one else acknowledges it? Can you forgo the likes, the applause, the external validation? You still get the achievement. But you’re happy to do it for yourself. This doesn’t mean removing the internal satisfaction of your work. I’ve struggled with acknowledging my successes along the journey, rather than constantly thrashing myself to achieve the next thing without pausing to reflect on what I’ve already accomplished. I find myself pushing through tough challenges because they speak more to who I am rather than just what I’m doing. In Adelaide, I recently ran the Snake Pit, a 500m snake course, running it for 5km without stopping, and then ran up Mount Lofty (3.5km uphill) the next day. Why? Not because anyone told me to. But because it spoke to who I am. I did it for an internal sense of achievement. I almost couldn’t leave the country without having done it. I wasn’t going to get a huge physical benefit, nor someone's approval, but because I wanted to know I could do it. Because I want to know I am someone who can do hard things. When you focus on the internal reasons for why you’re doing something, you can’t lose. You always win. You always find fulfilment. That’s the heart of being a quiet achiever. Because external validation—being a loud achiever—is easy. But it’s never guaranteed to provide real fulfilment. What if the praise you were hoping for never comes? What if the validation fades as quickly as it arrived? That’s why being a quiet achiever in a world obsessed with noise might be the real mark of success. Quote I likedYou’re so in your own head you can’t enjoy where you are. Recommendation for youSupersetting at the gym - huge time saver for me recently. Require the additional focus and effort but maintaining the gains. PodcastI have a podcast that helps you build a stronger mind to take on life. Like me, it's a work in progress. Subscribe to the podcast here. (p.s. If you can subscribe on Youtube that would be amazing.) I'll see you later, Lewis P.S. Im looking for athletes to help with my research at the moment here (check the 3 criteria beforehand) |
The Game Plan
Take on the next week with lessons, perspectives, or insights for your mindset.
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