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About this quote

What does it mean?
Achievement is internal satisfaction from hard work, while success is external praise. One should focus on personal effort rather than outside validation.
In plain terms
Focus on doing your best work instead of seeking praise from others.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize personal effort over external approval.

Where it applies

  • career planning
  • personal development
  • dealing with criticism

Putting it to work

  • set personal goals
  • evaluate own work
  • ignore external noise

Questions to consider

  • What does success mean to you?
  • Do you seek approval or mastery?

Another view

External praise can sometimes be necessary for career advancement.

More from Helen Hayes

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  2. One has to grow up with good talk in order to form the habit of it.

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  3. Mere longevity is a good thing for those who watch Life from the side lines. For those who play the game, an hour may be a year, a single day's work an achieve…

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