Enjoy your victory

Today I was reminded how emotionally sensitive we can be in the things that we hold valuable. Through two different experiences, I saw the elation and the disheartenment of two friends who have invested great lengths in their life’s work.

Business associate number one had been working for the past few days on a problem that had proven itself a formidable opponent. He set his face like flint and was determined not to allow this task to get the better of him. After a couple days of focused attack, I was startled with a “Woohoo!” and a set of hands thrown toward the sky in victory. He had won the battle. The look and sound of elation were obvious in the room.

On the contrast, a fairly new compatriot had spent the last few years of his life and a great portion of his resources working on a separate project. He had the great honor and joy of releasing this project to its final recipients. Over 90% of the people in the organization for which this project was created and delivered, received it with open arms and great exuberance. But, there was a shallow 5% that began the process of criticism and the offering of deriding words. The heart of my compatriot held deep excitement about his accomplishment and yet, in the elation of its completion, he had to deal with the sourness of others’ criticisms. These opponents had no idea what it took for him to complete his task or the great cost it carried. They simply felt the freedom to be critical. Sound familiar? These two experiences draw a giant truth to the surface.


Although volumes could be written from the perspective of the critical, I want to focus on the side of the worker. We are responsible for enjoying our victories-whether small or large. We must be able to encourage ourselves irrespective of the masses. If you have poured your heart and your soul into a project, be the first to enjoy the outcome. Look at what you’ve produced and determine in your own heart and soul that your victory is just that, your victory. Don’t let anyone take away the joy of your task or your desire for continued growth. Don’t grow embittered or angry with someone else’s observation or with their criticisms of your progress or finished product. Choose to find something in their criticism to propel you forward in your next project. If you hear things like, “They are no Einstein.” Be grateful. What an amazing genius to be compared with. They could have chosen a much lesser know personality. By their offering of criticism and their attempt to expose some fault or lack on your part, they have done nothing more than ensure that your next outcome will be even better than your latter. Just don’t give up!

Do you know someone that could benefit from this article? Why not send it to them? Bryan Hurlbut is the author of Making It Count: Putting meaning in business and relationships. This topic and others like it can be found in the book Making It Count: Putting meaning back in business and relationships.

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