When Orienting to Success, and Success Only, Can Be A Trap

"Mom, what do I submit for the Doodle 4 Google competition?" my tween daughter asked yesterday as we were driving home from her volleyball practice.

Doodle 4 Google is a national competition where Google selects the best artwork submitted by kids from around the country. The artwork that wins goes on their search engine website, and monetary prizes are given to the winners and their schools.

"The Theme is Life on Earth in 20 years", she continued. "I have some ideas, but should I draw a positive or negative outlook?"

I said, "Draw what makes you happy".

"But Mom," my kiddo responded, "what do you think the judges would like the most? I want to win."

Wow, finally, a chance to transfer some hard-won wisdom to my child.

So, I said, "Well, winning this thing is not as important as growing your confidence and finding your voice that is authentic and independent of what other people think. It is far more important to grow yourself into a strong presence on Earth, and that strength can only come from listening to your heart and developing your own beliefs and convictions.

Living to satisfy the expectations of others can be a dangerous game.
In the short term, if you fit what you do to what others want you to do, you will get ahead in life. It just won't be YOUR life."

My daughter fell silent and then replied, "People-pleasing is no bueno. If you live for others, you don't live for yourself."

"Something like that", said I. "You can live to serve others, but your own heart and dreams should be your guiding North Star, not what others expect of you."