The Difference Between Entitlement and Understanding: A Tale of Two Posts
Are you a snowflake?
The Difference Between Entitlement and Understanding: A Tale of Two Posts
Entitled Post (Snowflake Style):
“I can’t believe I didn’t get any recognition at the awards ceremony just because I didn’t put in as many hours as everyone else! It’s not fair that people who worked harder than me got awards while I got nothing. I showed up! Isn’t that enough? Why should only the so-called ‘best’ get trophies? Everyone deserves to be celebrated, and I’m tired of being left out just because I didn’t go above and beyond like some people. What kind of message are we sending if only the top performers get recognized? What about the rest of us who are just trying to exist?”
---😁---
Non-Entitled Post (Human-Centered View):
“At first, I felt a little down after the awards ceremony because I didn’t get recognized, but it made me think more about why those who put in extra effort deserved their trophies. I showed up and did my part, but I also realized that working hard and going the extra mile are things that should be celebrated. It doesn’t mean I’m less valuable for not winning an award… it just means there’s room for me to grow if I want to achieve more. I guess it’s less about getting recognition for just existing and more about setting goals and pushing myself. Everyone’s on their own journey, and that’s okay.”
In the end, how we approach situations like this makes all the difference. When we come from a place of entitlement, expecting rewards for just existing, we close ourselves off to personal growth and understanding. On the other hand, when we take a step back, acknowledge the efforts of others, and reflect on our own actions, we open the door to self-improvement. It’s not about whether we win or lose or whether we get recognition… it’s about how we handle those moments and what we learn from them. A little humility and perspective go a long way in building a stronger community and, honestly, a better version of ourselves.
Your "there’s room for me to grow" statement made me recall this: Whenever I'm asked to fill out a survey on someone's job performance, I (almost) never give them a 10 out of 10 (or 5 out of 5) because that suggests that there's no room for improvement. And, the fact is, there's 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 room for improvement. When I worked for Circuit City, back in the 1990s, the company made sure and recognize the achievers each and every month, then again at the end of the year. It felt good being recognized for doing a good job. On those months and/or years where I didn't receive an award, I remember thinking, "Maybe I should work harder, smarter, and more resourcefully". It apparently paid off as I have a nice collection of awards including my favorite (which you will appreciate) a unique "Innovator Of The Year". No one before or since ever got one of those. I'll be happy to share the entire story next time we head out on a long walk.