872 - Accomplishment - what are you proud of?

Were you ever excited about something you accomplished only to have someone else minimize its value?

As a young woman entering the (at that time) male-dominated world of classical music, I encountered many obstacles.

In retrospect, I've come to recognize that those who diminished my achievements often struggled with their own self-esteem, finding it difficult to accept a woman excelling in a field they considered their own.

These experiences led me to downplay my accomplishments and conceal my successes. When presented with new opportunities, such as landing a new job, I found myself minimizing its significance to avoid appearing arrogant

How sad to go through an entire career, keeping milestones to myself.

There was also an element of imposter syndrome that haunted me.

Those days are over!

I now recognize my accomplishments and applaud them. I still don't wave them around like a flag on the 4th of July, but I don't hide them either.

One of my greatest accomplishments from the past was being accepted as a French horn student to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia back in 1977.

There were 400 applicants for one position. I WAS ACCEPTED!

It's taken me over 45 years to recognize the significance of that accomplishment.

Don't wait so long to share what you have done that you are proud of. We can still be humble, not arrogant.

Let's all learn to embrace our accomplishments and encourage others to do the same. By doing so, we can create a culture where achievements are celebrated and potential is unlocked.

Share your successes with pride, for they are a testament to your dedication and hard work.

What have you accomplished that you are proud of?