If you’re like me, you love getting gold stars, check marks, A+’s, smiley faces… I really like being recognized because it shows me that people value me and the things that I do. From the big (a tough project at work) to the small (the dishes), it feels great when someone says “thank you” or “great job.” I really appreciate it when people appreciate me.
But…
People don’t always recognize your efforts. It happens. But I find that I want that credit! It’s not enough to enjoy the feeling of doing good, I want someone else to call me out.
Sometimes if I don’t get recognized for something, I feel resentful and the good feelings I had about my accomplishment go out the window. This can happen when I’m helping someone, too. A selfless act can turn selfish when my efforts aren’t appreciated. If I do someone a favor and they don’t say “thanks,” I take it very personally. And sometimes when I do anonymous good, I want that star so badly that I end up telling someone just to get that pat on the head.
I think the reason I crave approval so much is because I actually deny giving it to myself. It’s time to let other people off the hook and start recognizing myself. If I were to start giving myself credit for all the things I do, I wouldn’t need that outside approval. It would still be nice, but I wouldn’t be resentful if I didn’t get it.
Besides, only I know all the things I do in a day. No one else can thank me for everything. Only I can. So I’m going to start giving myself credit… even for putting the dishes away.
