Do Trophies Help or Hurt Achievement?

Challenge: Trophies and awards aren't always a measure of success.

Science: Many experts decry the overuse of trophies.

Solution: You need to define your own success.

Success can be subjective. Yes, there are measurable goals to determine a level of achievement, but success is often in the eye of the beholder. In fact, some folks who are universally considered to be winners never stop pushing the envelope and working to achieve even more in their fields and beyond. This is why you see tennis players who don’t retire after winning a single Wimbledon and entrepreneurs who make millions selling one company only to start from scratch on a new invention. They are internally motivated and driven to achieve. They aren’t reacting to outside trophies.

Take Oprah Winfrey, for example. Winning a daytime Emmy wasn't enough for her. Encouraging and promoting reading through her book club wasn't enough. She continued to expand her range and her corporation. While others might think of the Emmy as the ultimate trophy, she accepted it and moved even farther to create her own television network.

Personal Achievement

Most people will live their lives without an Oscar, a Pulitzer, or a Nobel prize, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have successes. In sports, a personal best during your weekly run or a few extra points scored during your league volleyball game are successes. You don’t need a trophy each time you spike a ball if you hold the achievement as your trophy.

The same goes in business. A promotion or raise might be the only reward you want. A plaque acknowledging all you’ve achieved for your organization in the past year or two is a nice bonus and a visible show-off-able token, but does it replace the need for a bigger paycheck?

And, remember that not all trophies are statues. In the workplace, a higher-level title, a designated parking spot, and a corner office are considered valuable trophies.

Trophies for Everyone

Participation trophies are controversial for some folks, but consider the child (or adult) who doesn’t enjoy sports. He isn’t particularly skilled, but he continues to show up to the practices and matches. He doesn’t add any points to the scoreboard, but he’s getting exercise and building muscle mass. This is a success — keeping him healthy — so what’s the harm if he also gets a participation medal to document his involvement? In this age of increasing childhood obesity, isn’t just showing up for a match all for the good?

Well, some experts believe that the participation trophy discourages those who actually accomplish the win. According to the New York Times, “The science is clear. Awards can be powerful motivators, but nonstop recognition does not inspire children to succeed. Instead, it can cause them to underachieve.”

Perhaps the takeaway message is “nonstop recognition.” Some recognition is beneficial, but a gold star for showing up at school on time might be excessive. The same might go for sports team participation, but it’s important to establish your guidelines and stick with them. Everyone appreciates knowing what the rules are.

For more on participation trophies, check out what Psychology Today has to say.

Group Awards

Maybe your greatest achievement will be as part of a team or group or organization that is successful. Great advancements are rarely accomplished in complete solitude. Everyone—from astronauts to world leaders to novelists—gets help and assistance from other people. Though you may never be awarded your own individual statue, you know that it was your electrical work that helped create an award-winning movie performance or it was your attention to detail in the accounting department that helped your company emerge unscathed from an audit. Sometimes this is just part of your day-to-day job, so you might not think of it as award-worthy or a success, but remember that it’s your success if you say it is. Just be careful how you phrase this on your resume. For example, “I was an important part of the team that supported the Olympic gold-medal winning ice skater,” rather than “I basically won the Olympic gold medal in ice skating.”

Your Success

Ultimately, you are responsible for defining your own success—in your life, with your work, and in terms of your activities. Whether you get a trophy, a pat on the back, a plaque, or a rush of endorphins, as long as you’re content, then it’s a definite win. And there’s no need to diminish any trophy that you have won. Display it and enjoy it! Just remember to continue on to the next challenge.


Author Bio

Jeffery Brauer is a freelancer pseudoscience writer based in San Luis Obispo, California. He enjoys going to the dog beach with his golden retriever, Max, and even has a few engraved trophies of his own.

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Don't Miss The World’s Most Powerful Women In Tech 2016

Women have changed the way the world looks at the workforce in today’s business as a whole. Why? Since time immemorial technology had always been monopolized by men. But not until 1853 when the first woman in the person of Ana Roque de Duprey defied the notion that women belonged only in the home. At age 13 she started a school and wrote a geography textbook that was later adopted by the government of Puerto Rico. Her second book, the Botany of Antilles, gave way to women’s right to vote in Puerto Rica.

Though some women may say that male dominated corporations and key level positions may be intimidating at times, there are still other women who make aggressive decisions to overcome their fears and doubts. They are very good at what they do and can even beat the men in terms of better performance ratings and higher revenue turnarounds. And this includes women in the tech field.
Let us help each other and future generations create purposeful lives and give equal opportunities to women. Then, everyone in the community will be doing their part in making this world a better place. Today, discrimination against women workers from top to bottom positions has become almost inconceivable because many women have closed the gender gap and proven that they are worthy of the jobs they hold. Such fearless women in tech are not afraid to meet the men head-on. Featured in the following visual are some of the world’s most formidable women in the technology arena of 2016.

From the image below, learn the ropes of how powerful you too can be at your work.

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Does body building or weight loss motivation push you to sweat out in gym? Research finds the one to increase your attendance at gym!

Generally, there are two kinds of people who join a gym. One, who wants to build his body by adding flesh and giving shape to body, and one who wants to lose weight by reducing excess flesh particularly belly fat. Body building motivation and weight loss motivation are two forces that drive these two kinds of people. But, it is possible, you might have some different motivation that works only for you. Anyways, whatever the reason is, in case you fail to maintain a decent attendance in a gym, you should search for a catalyst to give thrust to your motivation force.  

Recently, researchers from the university of Lincoln have published their study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, which reveals that people who are serious about health and fitness are also one who are sincere and punctual to their daily visits to the gym. This research has a new insight which revolves around a man’s body attitude and his conscious and non-conscious motivations for pushing him to a gym.  

Below is the findings of the research, which clearly demonstrates that health and fitness factor dominates over other factors for which people join a gym.

• 60% - Health and fitness is the main reason for exercising. Weight loss is the major health priority.
• 16% - Their appearance or amateur bodybuilding as their motivation
• 8% - Training and competing in amateur bodybuilding is the driving factor.

Weight loss motivation being primary factor compels people to sweat in the gym or they feel bad about own body fat and risk to feel guilt and shame around others. Some people admit, they feel under pressure to exercise or work out regularly from people they know well.

Research specialist Dr. Keatley advice to Coaches, trainers, and gym buddies, if they want to increase the attendance to the gym, they should identify the motivation and reasons for attendee's work out. People who worry about body fat are more likely to attend sporadically unplanned workouts. These fatty people are sometimes motivated by guilt, shame or pressure of peer and spontaneously join the gym. But, this motivation doesn’t live longer and they might discontinue anytime, so it is important to focus on positive feelings of outcomes and encouraging them to attain long term healthier change.

This weight loss motivational video will ignite sparks in you to start over gym workout

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Experts do warn people who are driven by competition and will to have an ideal body. These conceptions can hyper-motivate one to attend gym more regularly and do excess exercise than a body can bear. This can risk body and can be dangerous for wellbeing, moreover, it puts a pause to your routine exercise. So avoid an excess of anything, including work-out.

What is your motivation behind regular gym attendance? Please share your best practices in the comment box below.

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Epiphany - The Three Kings Day Festival - History, Meaning, and Facts Why and When We Celebrate

What is the Epiphany?

Epiphany also called Theophany or Three King's Day is a Christian festival that will be observed on 6th January 2017. It falls on the 12th day of Christmas and regarded as the official end to the festive season for many Christmas. It celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as a human in Jesus Christ. Meaning of epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).

Why is Epiphany celebrated?

As per history, the old Christian feast day is critical as a festival of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, and also a more broad festival of his introduction to the world. The six Sundays which take after Epiphany are known as the season of indication (time of manifestation).

The Twelfth Night (Epiphany) likewise denote a visit to the infant Jesus by The Magi, (the three Kings, or Wise Men). "Epiphany" originates from Greek and signifies 'manifestation'. It praises 'the disclosure of God in his Son as a human in Jesus Christ'.

In the West, Christians started praising the Epiphany in the fourth century, partner it with the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus.

As indicated by the Gospel of Matthew, the three rulers discovered child Jesus by taking after a star over the betray to Bethlehem.

The three rulers - named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - took after the star of Bethlehem to meet the child Jesus. As indicated by Matthew 2:11, they offered typical endowments of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The blessings were typical of the significance of Jesus' introduction to the world, the gold speaking to his imperial standing; frankincense his celestial birth; and myrrh his mortality.

Amid the medieval period, Christmas was commended for the 12 days from Christmas Eve on December 24, until the Epiphany. Indeed, even up until the nineteenth century, January 6 was as large a festival as Christmas Day.

Orthodox Christians celebrate the holiday on January 19 every year.

Over the world, the day's merriments fluctuate. In the Spanish talking world Epiphany is known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day). In Mexico, for example, swarms accumulate to taste the Rosca de Reyes - Kings' bread. In different nations, a Jesus puppet is covered up in the bread.

When is the Epiphany celebrated? 

Click Image for Epiphany wishes, quotes, saying, poems, lyrics, and greetings 

Epiphany - Three King's Day is a Christian festival that will be observed on 6th January 2017.

For some Protestant holy places, the period of Epiphany reaches out from January 6 until Ash Wednesday and the begin of Lent. The last Sunday of the Epiphany is commended as Transfiguration Sunday. 

Others, including the Catholic church, watch Epiphany as a solitary day. Some Catholic sees in the US check the Epiphany feast on the Sunday after January 6.

Ten interesting facts about the Feast of the Epiphany 

The three Kings (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) presented Europe, Arabia and Africa separately.

Many years prior, dish sheep was generally served at Epiphany to pay tribute to Christ and the three Kings' visit.

Whoever finds the little statue of an infant Jesus covered up inside their cut of the Rosca de Reyes sets up a gathering on Candlemas in February.

In some European nations, youngsters forget their shoes the prior night to be loaded with blessings, while others leave straw for the three Kings' horses.

As indicated by Greek Orthodox Church's customs, a cleric will favor the waters by tossing a cross into it as admirers attempt to recover it.

In Bulgaria as well, Eastern Orthodox ministers toss a cross in the ocean and the men make a plunge - contending to get to it first.

In Venice a conventional regatta that began as a joke in the late 1970s has been fused in the festivals of Epiphany Day.

In Prague, there is a conventional Three Kings swim to remember Epiphany Day at the Vltava River.

In New York, El Museo del Barrio has celebrated and advanced the Three Kings' Day convention with a yearly parade for over three decades. Thousands partake in the parade highlighting camels, vivid manikins and buoys.

The day's exercises include singing holiday carols called aguinaldos.

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Celebrate Epiphany with quotes, lyrics, poems and wishes 

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Take away from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s Inspirational Speech to 16,000 students celebrating young people changing the world

PM Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire delivering inspiration speech (Photo courtesy: the star)  

Justin Trudeau speaks about change, leadership, and high self-esteem 

Justin Pierre James Trudeau, the 23rd and second youngest Prime Minister of Canada and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, addressed 16,000 students and educators at WE Change in Ottawa, Canada. The sensational speech by PM has a great ability to ignite a spark in us and encourage to take a leadership role.  His speech revolves around the change. The change which we are seeking to transit the world starts with an individual. First, we have to change self, then we can change the rest of the world. We have to take action today not tomorrow. We can become leaders today itself. We don't have to wait for tomorrow.  

Each word said by Justin Trudeau has a great weight. Each line said by him equals to an inspirational quote. So, I have compiled his speech in form of quotes. Hope, this takeaway will inspire everyone who even just read these quotes for once.

You can change the world. Do things to help make the world a better place.

Don't think about yourself as leaders of tomorrow . . . this is about you being leaders today.

Each and every one of us is powerful.

Respect your self-esteem and put the great efforts to keep it high. Overcome your depression and eating disorders for a transition in yourself.

Ask yourself the question, how are you when you’re alone with yourself and nobody else in the world is watching?

I encourage you to really, really love yourself . . . because you’re all amazing human beings!

Each and every one of you is powerful. You don’t have to wait until one of you in this room (and I know there’s at least one of you out there) becomes prime minister to make a difference.

The inspirational couple with Craig and Marc Kielburger (Photo courtesy: the star) 

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Inspirational To Know

The event, which was helped to establish by Craig and Marc Kielburger, commends the commitments of youngsters and urges them to get mingle with their community.

Free the Children, the philanthropy behind We Day and We Schools, was helped to establish by Craig Kielburger when he was only 12 after he read a Toronto Star article about Pakistani kid Iqbal Masih who was killed subsequent to turning into a youngster work dissident. 

Subsequent to perusing that story, Kielburger persuaded Craig to begin crusading to end youngster bondage.

You can listen to Justin Trudeau's inspirational speech and find more information related to this event here.

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September 11 attacks! What triggered terrorists to plan it? Did negative motivation embark on their minds?

September 11 comes every year and reminds us of a brutal attack on World Trade Centre in the year 2001. Till now many theories, thesis, and research papers have been released to find out what triggers negative personalities to commit such awful deeds. They cause more damage than they think of causing to us. Let’s dig deeper and do some analysis.

Forget body, it just minds. 

The type of motivation which terrorists carry, prepare them mentally strong and bold enough to take big decisions. Master of a body is mind. They conquer the  master and rule over the body. Extended exercises, push-up, shooting practices, airlifting, martial arts and other strength building training they take to build their reloaded body-machine. But question is, had you taken all these pieces of training and achieved the same personality, Could you take the same steps even after getting into the influence of their master’s mind?

Never.

I hope this is what you said. But they do it, so what is the reason?

A terrorist's heart is cloaked, love is alien, peace is hell.  

When these culprits planned September 11 attack, they had completely lost the feeling of soft touch, love, and peace. The only thing was the mind that too working under guidance and influence of master. The debatable thing is whether they never fell in love, felt the soft touch of a baby, never breathed air that smelt life. Had they had their life partner and family, surely they couldn’t have done this? But the shocking fact is that almost all terrorists have the family, children and good experiences of life, love, and lust. But still, they are not fearful of committing such crimes and losing what they have. We still do not have the answer.

Did Negative motivation trigger September 11 attack? 

Negative motivation works on the base of negative feelings and thoughts. Negative feelings like fear, anger, hatred etc trigger a person and give extraordinary strength and motivation to do anything. This ‘anything’ can have positive or negative outcomes. But negatively motivated persons never mind the cause, they just focus on the outcome which they want. Terrorists have immense hatred, anger, and distress that make them semi-blind and they only see what they want to see.

Vengeance! This what they often seek for and always practice those things which help them attain it.

The spiritual cause behind the occurrence of terrorism and hatred in the world

Picture courtesy of ssrf.org

According to Spiritual Science Research & Foundation, the spiritual root cause is also a significant factor for the occurrence of  9/11 terrorist attacks and similar activities on earth. Spiritual research reveals that human factors contribute 70% among the causes of the destruction of our Earth and rest 30% are spiritual.

If you are an atheist, it is not a problem for you but it will surely release free energy that will boost up negativism.

Social Factors and Education 

Many famous terrorists are from good society and highly educated. Some even post graduate and reached to a high standard of qualification. And they left their study or job and joined a group of militants. Today they are doing a phenomenal job to ruin the world’s peace and security. Now the question is why education, social values, and even moral ethics couldn't teach them. We have several assumptions, hypothetical views, and clues. But what is actual nobody knows. 

Motivational Takeaway 

If the world has to die today, today is not the end. People will remain on earth even if the earth blasts. Watch the mars - the next destination of ours. 

That said, we got to have a positive attitude for our love, life, and society. Stick only to good thoughts which you have. Let the evil have their mindset with themselves only. Their wrong intentions never going to flourish. If we unite as a whole and live with integrity. We will never let a second 9/11 happen.

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