The Entourage Effect’s Post

So thankful to have received this recognition! You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYhGzEHu

So thankful to have received this recognition! You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYhGzEHu

Winning an Award: It's More Than Just the Trophy! Did you know that winning an award opens doors far beyond the accolade itself? it's not just about the moment of victory; there's a whole world of extras that come with it, often overlooked but incredibly valuable. Take, for example, the opportunity to be featured in prestigious publications – a benefit that's worth its weight in gold. Normally, securing a spot in a leading magazine can be costly, but winning an award can land you that coveted space for free.  And it's not just any advertisement; it's a feature that celebrates your achievement, adding an extra layer of credibility and recognition. So, the next time you're considering entering an award, remember it's not just about the win – it's about the journey and the doors it opens.

Entering the awards isn't just about seeking recognition; it's about pushing yourself and your business to new heights. It's about stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging yourself to excel in ways you never thought possible. The process of preparing for the awards forces you to critically evaluate every aspect of your business and identifies the achievements with celebrating and areas for improvement. When you are entering – you already winning.

With this year's awards season drawing to a close, the focus turns to next year. But how can you make sure your organisation is the one lifting the trophy at the end of the night? Over on the Missive blog, Whitney Simon, Erin Lovett, Nicola Koronka and Emma Ross reveal what the judges are looking for when they're deciding on the all-important gold medals, including: 🟡 Why entering awards is important 🟡 How to win awards 🟡 Telling a compelling story with your entry 🟡 Providing quantifiable results and evidence https://lnkd.in/eJM_NnHc

There’s something about people who are fuelled by an inner fire. Being told offhand, “You can’t” is one source of that fire. My people teach their girls to marry well and be promoted to matriarch. I lit and kept fuelling my inner fire to be self-sufficient. Almost 25 years in, my big learning is: Bank. The. Fire. Mistaking the fuel and fire for identity is an easy but costly one. Being stuck to that fire starts to be self-defeating, if not plain limiting. We cross the threshold and then we let go of the forging fire that got us there, to move forward in relative peace. Maybe even find new fires. We have to constantly renew our operating systems of courage.

We live in a world where we’re constantly fed a newsfeed of trophies. Another promotion. Another award. Another acknowledgement. Another “win.” Comparison is looking at someone’s progress and thinking: they’re better/further along/smarter/stronger/faster than me. Inspiration is looking at someone’s progress and thinking: look what they were able to do, maybe I can do something like that too? I find it easier to by inspired by someone’s words or actions rather than their medals. Medals aren’t bad, but they’re often the catalyst for comparison because they’re designed to emulate a status. Comparison is looking at other people’s progress as the absence of your own. Inspiration is looking at other people’s progress as evidence that it’s possible for you. Know the difference before you scroll 💛

What goes into creating winning award entries? We're lucky to have a few wins under our belt, as well as judging industry and comms awards across the years. Missive's Whitney Simon, Erin Lovett, Nicola Koronka and Emma Ross reveal what the judges are looking for when they're deciding on the all important gold medals, including: 🟡 Why entering awards is important 🟡 How to win awards 🟡 Telling a compelling story with your entry 🟡 Providing quantifiable results and evidence https://lnkd.in/eJM_NnHc

*Redefining Awards: From Hesitation to Celebration* There was a time when receiving awards made me hesitant. Sharing them felt like self-promotion, as if I were seeking validation. I would downplay them, thinking, *"Do I really need to showcase this?"* But with time, age, and experience, my perspective has evolved. I now see awards for what they truly represent: not individual glory, but a celebration of collective effort. They honor the artisans whose hands bring my ideas to life, the heritage of Dhokra craft that we work so hard to preserve, and the team that makes it all possible. Awards are more than recognition—they’re a way to inspire others and amplify the work being done. By sharing these milestones, I’m not saying, *"Look at what I’ve achieved."* I’m saying, *"Look at what’s possible."* Today, I accept awards with pride—not for myself alone, but for the community and craft that they represent. And yes, I share them, unapologetically. It’s a ripple worth creating.

You may have a seen a post I shared a few weeks ago receiving an award and wondering why it took me a year to celebrate that win publicly (this photo is from that same event). Upon reflection, I've realized that my hesitance to celebrate is part of a larger pattern. I have never stopped to really celebrate my wins.  I am guilty of constantly moving on to the next thing dismissing past achievements as if they were mere steps on an endless escalator. The win, once it's in the rearview mirror, somehow loses its sheen because it's "in the past." I cannot be the only one who is like this.  Am I?  Help me out here.  But I am coming to understand that celebrating our achievements isn't about living in the past; it's about recognizing the journey and the growth that comes with each milestone. Many of us, myself included, are wired to look forward, to chase the horizon. There's always a new goal, a new challenge. And while that drive is valuable, it's equally important to pause, look back, and honour how far we've come. Our wins, big or small, are not just trophies to collect but reminders of our resilience, hard work, and the support we've had along the way. Even in writing this I know I will still find it challenging to do, so, I'm making a commitment to not only chase the future but to also honour the present and respect the past. I endeavour to celebrate my wins, to savour the moments of success, and to appreciate the journey because the future is never guaranteed. Will you join me in this practice if you have battled this same malady?