Have you ever thought that if you work hard then your work will automatically get noticed and you will get the credit due?

Have you also then got disappointed when that did not happen?

We have all said, heard, read, taught and been taught that there is no substitute for hard work, that hard work always pays off, that let your work speak for itself, and so on. I feel that while these statements are true, they are not complete. Hard work alone, well most of the time, is not enough. Hard work can determine how well you can do your work, how effectively you can contribute or how dependable you can be to do a job at hand. But it doesn’t determine the returns of recognition or reward that you get for your job well done.

I feel that in the give and take of hard work and recognition, there are two actions that we have to do. When we give in our hardwork into something, its also important that we ‘take’ the recognition for it rather than wait for someone else to realize and give that reward or recognition. And its a part of this ‘take’ that we have to make ourself aware of what reward we should/can get for our work, who can give it, ensure that these right people know about our work, and then ask for the reward. The ‘take’ is like speaking up for yourself, and is not only important but is almost mandatory if we want to ensure that we get what we deserve. I have seen it often at office promotions, pay increases, in school recognitions, friends and family appreciations, that the people who do not speak for themselves often get passed over, or even worst someone else takes the reward for their work. While there are cases where people do get recognized otherwise as well, but I feel speaking up helps in increasing the chances of being fair to ourselves.

So next time you catch yourself thinking or saying that someone else will recognize your efforts, remember this and take an action for yourself.

This is how I feel, how about you?