We have all felt it. The brief chant of approval from the crowd. The promotion. The plaque. The prize.
Applause is a powerful drug. It is euphoric. It is addictive. It is deceiving.
Applause gave us “Balloon Boy”.
Our quest for applause often leads us down murky paths. We follow a career ladder based on prestige rather than passion. We spend our money on things, resulting in less time to spend on living. Like helpless addicts, once we have tasted the fleeting rush of applause, we chase after it, forever seeking that next “hit”.
Even if we know the applause wasn’t really earned. Even if the success is not of our own definition. Even if the echo is empty.
Accomplishment is something altogether different. Accomplishment is personal. It is diving into a difficult task, and following it through. It is crossing something off of your life list. It is helping out someone less powerful and less fortunate than yourself, without any expectation that they could ever pay you back.
Accomplishment is trying. And failing. And learning.
The problem with personal accomplishment is that it is rarely followed by applause. The outwardly visible benefits of accomplishment, if they occur at all, often show up months or even years down the road.
But the inner benefits from authentic accomplishment are immediate, and they stay with you forever.
