From Blank Spaces to Standing Ovations

In my almost 10 years of corporate life, I believe this was my first time to receive an award through a nomination from a leader. I know, I know, it sounds weird but my previous accomplishments were derivate of meeting or exceeding certain performance metrics, project entries, and award as a group. 

But as an individual, it was my first time to actually get recognized, nominated, and awarded. Hurrah to that!

An intersting thing to note is that I was in charge for the nominations and awards. Seeing my name on the nomination submissions felt like huge relief. Finally, my efforts were not in vain!

During deliberations, the leaders even made a joking banter of losing the element of surprise from my end as I already saw my name. Little did they know that hearing my name called, getting up on-stage and receiving the award elated me.

For the first time after a long time, I felt validated. Some may react that to it but hey, all feelings are valid, right? Since we are from different walks of life, different experiences that shaped who we are. Also, I know I did not step on anyone just to get the recognition. 

For me, it was a product of almost a decade of navigating through the harsh corporate life. 

Whenever there were these kind of awards from my previous companies, I already had an expectation that I won't be part of it. This would often leave me heartbroken and disappointed with myself. Then, I would fall in a cycle of self-loathing, anxiety, and depression.

Despite performing your best, a single mishap that don't even have an immense impact the operations such as, getting hospitalized due to an injury, getting one constructive feedback out of the many commendations that you had, or simply the manager prefers someone else over you, is considered a dealbreaker. 

The corporate is not an easy world to please and as someone who was raised to be a people pleaser with narcissist parents, a corporate girlie life is low-key exasperating. 

Of course, I should not get complacent just because I got recognized; this one genuinely motivated me to always strive my best without losing my sense of self. 

One of the many things I learned especially with my current company is that showing your best and authentic version of yourself can take you to places. 

How about you, what are your memorable experiences with recognition at work? I'd love to hear about it, too!

Cheers!

This photo best describes what I felt. LOL. 

Photo from: https://www.stocksy.com/210870/woman-jumping-in-silhouette-city-lights-behind-on-sunset