5 powerful benefits of keeping your goals private | Keeping things to yourself
“What have you been working on these days?”
“I’ve been focusing on working hard.”
“Yes, but what exactly are you doing?”
“I am waiting for the outcome.”
And, I was not asked anything.
I was that same chirpy person who would smile and trust everyone and assume that their best wishes would help me do well.
When I used to tell them what I was doing, an expectation developed. I believed that the people I shared things with would stand in my support.
“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.” – Sir Michael Caine
I was that duck now, calm on the surface, but underneath I was working tirelessly.
I realised that there are 5 benefits of not announcing everything you do. Lets me you through the journey of keeping things to yourself.
- Less pressure, more freedom.
This time, when I did not share what I was doing, I was free from the judgment of people. I could move at my own pace without being evaluated. Some were quite curious as they always found me with books. It was hard for them to swallow the fact that I was doing nothing. I did want them to tell me whether what I was doing was big or small.
- Protection from negativity.
If you announce what you are doing, you end up getting appreciation as well as criticism. But then there is a tendency to invite some criticism and jealousy also. When you have turned off your validation mode, there is no need to tell the world every little thing you do. I could sense the magic of keeping things to yourself.
- Stronger focus and consistency
When I talked less about my work, I could focus more. It happened because I did not waste my time explaining to and proving to people. The usual comments people give are that their cousin is also doing the same thing and earning quite well, or that my friend tried it but failed because it’s quite competitive. Such comments can distract you and drain your energy. Whenever I was in doubt, I visualised myself as the same calm duck and reminded myself that all I needed to do was paddle hard.
- Peace of mind
This time, I was not looking for approval; I was just working on myself without noise. I believed that I am my own person, and I mattered, messy parts and all. Something was changing in me, and it was extraordinarily rare. I gained that quiet strength to carry on. I found that I could resist being controlled by the opinion of others. Silence told them what my words couldn’t. I relished peace like a small kid enjoys an ice cream.
- Let results speak
When you keep things low-key, your achievements have more impact. Your outcome gets noticed. I was away from drama and noise, working hard towards my goal. I built a new muscle, a new me. It was my focused work that mattered, and then a life that belongs to me.
So be the duck that is calm outside and relentless inside.
Also Read:-
- The Comfort of Solitude at Home
- Does Social Media and Happiness Go Together? The Truth You Need to Know
- Surrounded Yet Alone: How to Overcome Loneliness at Parties? | 4 Easy Ways
Written by Sukhjit Kaur, educator with 17+ years of experience.