How does achievement influence joy, happiness, and passion? How do our achievements enhance our lives?
How do we reach our success? Our formative years prime us for success; our life instructions start the day we are born. Our parents make sure we reach the normal milestones as we grow. We are their achievement. But they are training us to seek our successes. Then, we are sent to school for an education that gives us the tools to reach achievements in our lives.
In his book Reachable Moments: A Unique Perspective From the Desk of a Teacher, Randy Sexton states the students “began to appreciate my devotion to them and my desire to see them succeed where they have failed.” Teachers are one of the main foundations in our society; they guide our children on how to behave in social groups and contribute to their knowledge of how to become productive citizens and find their place in the world. Every person has the name of a teacher who influenced them far beyond their school years. Mine was Mr. Price; I hear his voice often, “Always try.”
A quote by Mia Hamm, “Success breeds success,” highlights a positive cycle of achieving a goal and overcoming challenges and setbacks. This journey, filled with small victories, leads to the motivation and drive to push even further. What were your early successes? What achievements pushed you forward? As a child, they were small; I learned to bend backward and touch the ground, ride a bike with my hands in the air, ice skate, and swim. All achievements, though small, built my confidence that I was capable. The joy of overcoming these challenges is a testament to our resilience and strength.
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and thrill of creative effort.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
What is achievement?
The dictionary defines achievement as a thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill. It is about reaching a goal important to you, a goal that you exert effort to achieve. We could be talking about a small achievement like passing a test or accumulating your life experience, a body of work such as your career. What are your achievements up to this point? Did you graduate from high school or college? Are you holding a good job? Do you contribute to your community or church? Are you a parent or a caretaker? Are you a productive member of your church or a team member? Something you have done that has added value or made a noticeable difference.
The building blocks of our achievements structure our lives. Achievement is not just about the big milestones, but also about how we have made it through challenges and setbacks. In your life, it means you are moving ahead and are proud of what you have accomplished. But it’s equally important to look at our future perceived achievements to put this into perspective. What do you want to do in your life? What is next? What goals are you establishing for the next chapter of your life?
Areas of achievement
Our achievements give us a sense of our place in the world. Reaching our achievements becomes a passion, whether a hobby, job, social cause, skill, or invention. These accomplishments can bring us joy and happiness. Accomplishments help our self-esteem by boosting our confidence. They help us see value in what we do, helping us to find meaning and purpose in our lives. Let’s look at a few areas where you might have accomplishments.
Work is a significant area in which we find our achievements. Our work is more meaningful when aligned with our values and beliefs. We work for more than a paycheck, and our achievements become a part of our identity. Work allows us to pursue interesting tasks that have a positive impact, and it helps us move up to better positions. Hopefully, you find a sense of pleasure, pride, and joy in your work. If not, here is a possible future goal; to seek meaningful work. Do you have the opportunity to create value?
We find achievement by attaining promotions, awards, and acknowledgments, which crown our wins. A professional qualification or a degree and an award that shows our achievement.
Service to others; many find rewards through their jobs or volunteer roles. Teachers, doctors, fire and police officers, scientists, and government officials. People who take these jobs are usually passionate about their profession. These people hold together our communities and our societal structures. They show a desire to help others through their chosen profession.
Just think a minute about teachers. They spend their time helping others to learn and grow. They are responsible for our children and young adults as they enter college. Their jobs are more than a job; they provide services for those who have children. Or for ourselves as we gain a college education. It is not about money because most people work for the care and joy they have to give. Most could find a better-paying job. It is not about the money.
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy where the leader’s primary goal is to serve others. This differs from leaders who focus on the company’s financial success only. In servant leadership, the approach is people-first, prioritizing the needs, growth, and well-being of the team. They practice empathy and listening, community building, and ethical behavior. Servant leaders help to empower and develop employees or church congregations through knowledge and guidance. They provide opportunities for this growth. Servant leadership is an achievement because it focuses on the growth of the entire organization or community, not just profits. It is not about the money!
You may have achieved goals regarding your health and fitness. Losing weight or building muscles may be the goal, but the achievement is that you change your lifestyle and habits, eat healthily, or exercise to improve your fitness level.
We perform in sports, the arts, and music. Our performances bring awards and trophies; they show that we have contributed or added value to groups or communities.
Maintaining a happy and healthy family life and career. After all, isn’t this what we want? Balance is critical in our lives. Parenthood and marriage are our foundations in life, often our reasons for being.
How does achievement enhance our lives?
Achieving goals, small or large, boosts our self-esteem and confidence. We see we are capable. We feel stronger and able to tackle the next challenge in life. A new job, going back to college, becoming a coach or a community leader.
It provides a sense of meaning. Having goals and working toward them gives us a sense of direction and purpose. Achieving our goals has a positive impact on our mental health. It provides a sense of control and self-mastery, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Do you provide value? Value in the workplace, in your volunteer roles, and in your communities. Where does your achievement lie?
Happiness is the Fuel of Achievement, by Jean Moroney
Success and Happiness, Yes, You Can Have Both, by Lynda Kenny
Conclusion
If we connect monetary value to achievement, then the foundation of our society would be based on the entertainment industry and corporate America. The actors, musicians, athletes, and CEOs of large corporations. It is not about the money; it is about our contributions to our communities. We are the foundation; our achievements hold up the pillars of our communities.
Achievement is a powerful force that can improve our lives. It might be reaching a personal goal or a challenging project. The sense of accomplishment can profoundly affect our well-being and life satisfaction.
By integrating service into our achievements, we enhance the value of our accomplishments. We also enrich our lives with purpose, motivation, and connection. By focusing on how our goals can bring others alone on the journey, we create a more meaningful and fulfilling path to success. Our service to others needs to be balanced with our self-achievement. It requires self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.
Promotions, awards, and acknowledgments crown our achievements. A professional qualification or a degree. Yet the true joy of achievement is not how others judge you, but how you judge yourself. Or that we are accepted by a group we truly want to belong to, such as a sports team, a dance troupe, or a military unit.
“Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.”
– Tim Fargo
Achievement is connected to joy, happiness, and passion
10 things successful, happy people do differently, by World Economic Forum
Recommended Reading
The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Jack Canfield
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth
Stumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert
Reachable Moments: a Unique Perspective from the Desk of a Teacher, by Randy Sexton
Citations
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash