What is an achievement?

I've been asked this question quite a lot recently. Maybe people are wondering whether they're actually worthy of a nomination. What have they achieved really?

Well, as far as I'm concerned, an achievement is extremely personal to us as individuals. An achievement cannot be determined by someone elses success, nor should it be set by someone elses benchmark.

The dictionary definition of an achievement is:-

'The act of accomplishing or finishing.
Something accomplished successfully, especially by means of exertion, skill, practice, or perseverance'

How broad is this definition!

For myself, I could say that I have achieved many things.

From being a teenage single parent and having people look down their noses at me, saying that I had thrown my life away - to having two fantastic intelligent children that I am so proud of.
That is an achievement.

From being in a council flat to owning my own properites.
That is an achievement.

From working in kitchens cleaning other people's plates, to now being a professional Employment Advisor, running two businesses and putting on the first ever 'Black Youth Achievement Awards'
Now that is an achievement!

I feel proud of myself, and I feel no way in saying so.

That is not boasting or being bigheaded. Why are we the last ones to pat ourselves on our own backs?

We're ready to give props to other people who we deem to be successful because they might be driving a certain car, or seem to be rich and famous, but lack the ability to recognise what we have done ourselves.

When I'm out and about, and stop and talk to young people about the awards I'm actually met with shock and embarrassment when I tell them that they should nominate themselves for an award!

'No, I can't do that. I can't nominate myself. I'll get someone to nominate me'

'Yes, that's all good, you can get whoever you want to nominate you. But why won't you nominate yourself?'

'Bwoyyyyyy......I dunno you know!! It's just not right to nominate yourself. That's wrong....'

NO IT ISN'T!!!

Start looking at yourselves.

Remember the definition:- Accomplishing. Finishing. By means of Exertion, Skill, Practice, or Perseverance.