#349: Accomplishment vs Achievement

What an interesting distinction between two seemingly similar words Steve writes on here. It has me thinking more about the kinds of activities I love doing simply for the process of doing, not for the end result. One thing that comes to mind for me is running. I never time my runs, and haven't since I was on the track team. It's the time alone, the music, and the fresh air and oxygen high that drives my motivation step by step. I hope you enjoy this note from Steve! It's now left me thinking about what other hobbies I'd like to learn or pursue next. 

- Amanda

Accomplishment vs Achievement

Last week I was asked to write a few words of advice for some college-bound high school students.  A few days later three people on this list forwarded a NY Times editorial link on accomplishment vs achievement.  I wish I would have spent some time on the difference in the piece I wrote.  Achievement is usually the measure of an externally imposed standard.  Accomplishment is some point on an internally chosen path.  I think too much of education and perhaps life seems to focus on achievement.  It’s so easy to measure.  

I’m a terrible artist, but love the process of drawing.  First thing in the morning I sketch or paint for about a half hour.  I get lost in the process, and throw away 99.9% of what remains on the paper.   Others are great at their internally chosen path ..  several of the people on this list have followed their internal path, often adjusting their sights as they’ve grown.  As a teen I had a couple of mentors-by-mail helping me at the beginning of what turned out to be a life-long curiosity.  What excited me about college was there were courses that would be rocket fuel for this burning interest.    I didn’t care about issues like employability (much to my parent’s dismay), but somehow it worked out. 

In the past few years I've had several conversations with several Olympic athletes. To a person they say at some point - usually around the time they’ve discovered they’re good at their craft - the big motivation isn’t an end goal, but rather the process.  The process of learning and progressing in something that drives you - something you love. 

I hope everyone can find something.  It doesn’t have to be what they earn their living doing and, perhaps in most cases, it won’t be. 

Here’s the piece (hopefully gifting is turned on for non-subscribers).