"Becoming Your Own Cheerleader" By Aditya Singh

Since our childhood, we have been taught often without realizing that doing something well brings appreciation. When we drew something nice or helped at home, our parents praised us. In school, we were applauded for scoring good marks, ranking high in exams, or doing well in sports or debates. Over time, this created a pattern in our minds: If I do something well, I will be noticed and appreciated. 

This becomes a deep-rooted part of our personality. Many of us continue to seek approval sometimes without even knowing it. We work hard, not just because it matters, but also because we want someone to acknowledge our efforts. We want a pat on the back, a “well done,” or simply to be seen. 

But then comes a turning point usually when we enter the working world. Whether it’s a job, business, or any professional space, we begin to realize that things are different. No matter how hard you work, appreciation becomes rare. Instead, criticism often comes easily, and silence is more common than praise. This shift can be emotionally jarring. 

Suddenly, the belief we held since childhood begins to crack: “If I do good work, I’ll be appreciated.” The truth is, after a certain age, you must become your own source of encouragement. You must remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. You have to learn to find value in your own actions, even when no one notices. 

This is not to say that appreciation isn’t important; it absolutely is. But relying on it too much can be dangerous. Psychology tells us that human beings thrive on validation, but over-dependence on external validation can damage our self-worth. It can leave us feeling empty when recognition doesn’t come.