Efficiency and caring at work – an awareness-raising campaign

Theme 6: Learn how to recognise and appreciate your efforts

As you may have read in the Bulletin, part 6 of the Work Well Feel Well series looks at the importance of developing inner self-recognition. 

Learning to appreciate the efforts, energy, and work we put in can help rely less on praise from others

At work and in life, it's easy to focus on everything that there is still left to do, overlooking the effort and experience we've already gained and forgetting that the journey is just as important as the destination.

From a young age, we're used to seeking praise and a pat on the back based on results, like good grades, rather than the energy we've invested. This mindset can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation when our efforts go unnoticed.

In the workplace, performance is still mainly measured by whether goals are achieved, with less recognition for the extra tasks we take on, such as covering for colleagues or adapting to sudden changes. This lack of acknowledgment can create a constant sense of dissatisfaction, as many of us have not learned to appreciate our own efforts.

Our society often overlooks the importance of recognising the journey and the effort involved, making us too dependent on results for personal satisfaction. While external recognition is a feel-good factor, it is never enough to fully satisfy our need for acknowledgment. The true challenge lies in developing inner self-recognition, learning to appreciate and value our own hard work, regardless of whether others notice.

Gain more awareness on your own efforts through this illustrative exercise.

Here are a few more resources that may be helpful in building your inner self-recognition:

• Creating “done” lists: By regularly noting down what we have done, we not only realise how much we have accomplished but also learn to value our achievements and feel proud of ourselves. When a task has been completed, we can take a moment to appreciate our efforts.

• Building new habits: Throughout our careers, we will need to reflect on and value our achievements, whether we are applying for a job, preparing for a yearly appraisal or seeking a promotion. Getting into the habit of celebrating our own successes will help us to prepare for these career milestones.

• Taking training courses: The CERN training catalogue includes courses on performance management and giving and receiving feedback that can help us to self-evaluate and appreciate our own efforts.

The campaign, Efficiency and caring at work, designed by psychologist and specialist in burnout prevention, Catherine Vasey, invites you to explore the topic from different angles, deepen your knowledge, share your experiences and complete exercises made available on this website. We encourage you to take an active part in the campaign and the quest for a better quality of life at work.

Keen to learn more? Read about the Work Well Feel Well project, have a look at the useful resources and watch the micro-talk recording on burnout.