Step out of the spotlight

 

Give Up The Spotlight

The “all about me” movement has been going strong for quite some time. I feel like that message started in the late 90s, when we started to really make more noise about taking pride in who we are. 

It’s about the same time that everyone started getting a trophy. The same time that parents would demand their kid’s grade be changed to passing despite failing the requirements. The same time red ink became too scary for the children. 

These things along with many other examples have brought us to where we are today. A society where “I deserve the spotlight” and getting mine before you get yours… and I’m not just talking about Gin and Juice. 

The current marketing plan for society could be titled “about me”. I have to be in the spotlight. I have to get the accolades. I have to be the first to be thanked. Even those who are supposed to be helping others develop, have this need to be in the spotlight. 

A good coach doesn’t need excessive praise to feel like they are successful . A good teacher doesn’t need an award to feel self worth. A good manager doesn’t need to be employee of month. They should get satisfaction out of helping others. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the spotlight. I don’t mind getting up in front of people, but I’ve noticed that as I get older, seeing people that I have helped or put in charge of something get accolades is much more rewarding. 

I’m one of the founders of a great event. We’ve done it for 15 years and it for the most part is a well-oiled machine. We get lots of compliments on it and it feels good, but I know it’s not me. It’s the team. I’m part of that team and I do enter the spotlight more, but it feels good knowing that WE can do such a fabulous job. I love hearing them get compliments. 

I don’t care if my name is written in a history book. I expect I will be forgotten after my daughter's generation, but I hope that along the way I can help others be more and grow. I hope that I can find a way to teach others to do things and be better than I ever did. 

We need more examples of humility and hard work without accolades. If you read this long post, I hope that you will step out of the spotlight and help others to walk up to it.