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To be rewarded for something we have done is the icing on the cake. Reward does not have to be in financial terms. In fact, praise from a parent or friend, any promotion, a 'thank you' letter from a patient showing signs of recovery, from a student completing an exam satisfactorily or the act of being recommended to someone else, are all forms of reward. Reward matters greatly because we need something to reflect our presence, to indicate where we are on the cycle of personal development and to reinforce our worth. Hence the need for public acclaim through print, radio or television and the proliferation of so many blogs. Everyone wants to be heard. The competitive nature of society confirms and promotes this need to be somebody, especially in entertainment, business and sports.

This illustrates why unemployed people, especially those made redundant, are temporarily disorientated and demoralised. Being unsure about their position in life in relation to others, and without a work 'handle', they readily believe their skills are worthless. They also lose out on vital recognition, even though the respect for past achievements may still be there, but there is often little reward forthcoming from any source. At such times, many people fail to remember that a temporary loss of status through unemployment does not mean a permanent loss of talent or competence. Instead, it should be a time of review, retraining and redirection in order to claim a sufficient share of the essential elements of success.

Being famous or wealthy are extremes of success as not everyone can be well known or filthy rich. Yet many people mistakenly define success purely in terms of money. If you are still unhappy after making your millions, you are not really successful. Despite the fact that some people earn a salary and drive an expensive company car (rewards), some are still unhappy in their jobs. Such unfulfilled people lack the other essential elements (continuous recognition and genuine respect) for the part they play in the overall success, reputation and smooth running of the organisation.

Telehealth in the Developing World Dictionary of Indian Literature, One, Beginnings 1850

Teachers tend to be particularly bad in this area. They have few rewards (either through salary or promotion) unless they are very senior; they get little recognition (unless the school has a good 'reputation') and the fruits of their actions are not immediately apparent until the results of exams are known. With the continuing debate on underachievement and indiscipline with certain sectors of society, teachers are always in the spotlight, ready scapegoats for failed education policies and deviant student behaviour.

The Need for Scapegoats

Regardless of how committed they are, many teachers regard their work as a career which they sometimes enjoy, yet they are not able to say precisely why this enjoyment is not more consistent. They might blame low morale, hard work, poor pay and lack of self-fulfilment. But even if they were rewarded with the greatest pay rise in history, it would not improve their situation in the long term after the initial euphoria. The extra money might temporarily sweeten the pill of discontent and resentment but it would not resolve the endemic problem of low morale and lack of self-esteem. There would still be precious little appreciation of their efforts through recognition and they would still have little respect due to the need for scapegoats for society's ills.

Each time you attempt a given task, whether in the home or at work, if you feel disappointed with it or any feeling of resentment, this could be because you have not been given either recognition, respect and/or reward for your efforts. You might have been criticised, or your efforts taken for granted, which means no recognition. There was probably no respect due to the lack of deserved credit, or not being taken seriously in your suggestions, or, most likely, there has been little or no tangible reward (through praise, money or otherwise) for your input.

Any one, or all three of these elements, could be the real culprit behind any lurking feelings of failure or lack of success you're currently carrying inside your head. The only way forward is to identify the key ones causing you concern, address their source and try to remedy them in time to take advantage of all the opportunities which are likely to come your way from now on. You will then be able to enjoy the results of your efforts with much greater confidence, motivation and expertise. In effect, to feel truly successful in your self-perception and your life.