Recognition

Ronald Reagan had some really good quotes. I like this one:
"There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."

If your objective in life is to be praised, patted on the back, or to win fame, glory, or prestige ... you will probably get what you want, but ultimately you won't be as successful as you could have been. You'll also probably find that obtaining what you want leaves you feeling hollow. Fame is just not a satisfying motivation.

If we can clean up our motivations and start doing things for the right reasons (what those are, I'm not always sure), I believe we'll obtain our desires and we'll often find we obtain other byproducts ... like recognition for our efforts. But as soon as we turn our attention to obtaining recognition, or any of those other ultimately unsatisfying things (like money), our ability to obtain it is impeded. And when we do succeed in obtaining it, our success eventually turns to ash in our mouths.

Don't work for the sake of recognition; it only makes you a slave to the person from whom you desire praise. Be self sufficient. Or better yet, rely on someone whose praise is worth obtaining. Work to please God. Maybe that's the right reason for doing anything.