Inspirational Word: PROUD

Andy Andrews | May 14th, 2021

INSPIRATION WORD:  PROUD

Why are our personal lives so critical to our professional lives? May seem to have little to do with work, but our personal life dictates how we behave and perform in our professional life….

First inspirational word was YET. Provides realistic hope, the power of yet is in its simple truth.  

Second inspirational word: PROUD

  • The word PROUD is designed to erase doubt if you are on the right track
  • Story: Andy met up with an old friend who had become famous
    • Had been asking questions about his journey, how he got there, what he accomplished along the way 
    • Before ending the convo, Andy told his friend how proud he was of him and for him.  The friend didn’t reply at first, but then awkwardly replied, “me too” after the awkward moment Andy left
    • Andy thought the reunion went well until the last few odd minutes
    • Andy saw him again performing a year later
      • Friend asked the audience – who has made an impact on your life and they don’t know it? 
      • Friend began to cry on stage, but then furthered with “this has been the best year of my life and not just because of what I have done.  Sense of contribution and job well done was nothing I thought I lacked until my friend told me “I’m proud of you” he continued…
      • “I stand before you today as a relatively accomplished adult, with fame and fortune, but still as shocked about what I am about to reveal as you will be to hear it.  I am almost 60 and that was the first time anyone said they were proud of me.  Not a teacher, coach or father, but my friend.” 
        • Shocked at the difference it made in his life, it made him think….
        • “If no one has ever said it to me, how many other people are out there waiting for you to be proud and say it to them?”
        • Doesn’t take much or a big person to be proud of someone or to tell them
  • David Thoreau's quoted saying is "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
    • Indicates people are passive in relationships, complacent at work, succumbed to defeat, they don’t believe in who they are or what they do – they believe they don’t matter

Recognition
  • Not a gift or something to hang on the wall
  • Most valuable thing you can give someone is the acknowledgement of the value they add in the life we lead
  • Recognition – babies cry for it and grown men die for it
  • Maslow – studied hierarchy of needs in order to live successful
  • Physiological need | Safety needs | Love and belonging | Esteem | Self-Actualization
  • ESTEEM: Recognition – when an employee is receiving recognition on a regular basis, they are
    • More likely to do a better job
    • More likely to do more for the organization
    • Creates powerful brand ambassadors
    • Leads to stronger business in the future
    • People who build successful teams never forget each person contributes to the success of the team
    • 2017 – Study on pre-teens and teenagers and parenting behaviors
      • Children who are rarely or never told their parents were proud of them were more likely to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts


Proud of you, for you, proud of the difference you make in the world and for the people of the world.  The strength, endurance and power supplied by being told someone is proud of you is immeasurable.