Keith Petersen’s Post

I’m sharing this video because it hit me hard in the best way. On LinkedIn, we often see posts celebrating achievements—awards, certificates, and milestones. And that’s exactly what this space is for! But watching this, I was reminded of something deeper. In the video, there’s a powerful message: at the end of our lives, we’re not asking to see our trophies or certificates one last time. What truly matters are the people we’ve loved and the relationships we’ve built along the way. All those accomplishments? They’re valuable, but only if they come with a life rich in love and connection. So, let’s keep sharing our wins, but let’s also remember what gives those achievements real meaning. Celebrate your milestones, but don’t forget to celebrate the people who make it all worthwhile. Because at the end of the day, life is about so much more than just the awards on our shelves.

Have you ever wondered what you should say if you have been selected to receive an award, the experts say the following: 1. Express your gratitude and be genuine. Speak from the heart and remember to acknowledge the sponsoring organization as well as any other nominees. 2. Demonstrate why you are deserving of the honor. Keep the self-deprecation to a minimum; don't make them regret selecting you over others. 3. Recognize those who helped you achieve success. Use your moment in the spotlight to pay it forward. Personalize your speech with anecdotes. This is still a speech, after all, so make it memorable and meaningful. 4. Respect the audience and the clock. Not every awards ceremony has an orchestra to play you off the stage when you overstay your welcome.

Medals don’t matter much in the grand scheme of things. Trophies gather dust, certificates lose their shine, and yet, many invest their energy solely in chasing accolades. Why? The truth is, unless your work is driven by passion and a vision for the future, awards lack lasting significance—they’re merely symbols. That said, awards have their place if they genuinely align with your goals. But even if you don’t win, trust that what you’re meant for will come to you in its own time. True impact lies in creating something meaningful and enduring. Here’s what I’ve come to understand: Work for the love of the craft. Strive for excellence, not external validation. Build with the future in mind, not just for applause. When you do this, recognition will follow naturally—not as a goal, but as a consequence of your dedication.#dedication #workhard #consistency

Celebrate Every Win—Big or Small! 🎉 Whether it's ticking off a task on your to-do list or winning a big award, every win deserves recognition. 🙌 Why? Because celebrating your achievements—no matter how small—boosts your confidence and keeps you motivated. It's a reminder of the progress you're making, even on those days when it feels like nothing's moving forward. So, take a moment to celebrate the little victories. They all add up to something bigger! ✨ What’s one win you’ve had today? Drop it in the comments and let’s celebrate together! 🎊 #CelebrateYourWins #SmallVictories #ConfidenceBoost #BusinessGrowth #ProgressNotPerfection

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

Check out my blog post to find out why it is so important to acknowledge and celebrate those small wins and achievements each day 🫶 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e2wi-WhV

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?

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 💛

✨ Celebrating Excellence... or Perception? ✨ Awards are always a highlight in our industry - a time to recognise innovation, hard work, and dedication to raising the bar. 🏆 But it also sparks an important reflection: Are we celebrating the real stories of achievement or the most polished narratives? In an industry where trust, integrity, and accuracy are critical, it’s vital to ensure that recognition aligns with authentic representation. Missteps or misrepresentations, however unintentional, risk undermining the incredible work many of us pour our hearts into daily. Perhaps it's time for all of us—whether as nominees, award-givers, or industry professionals—to ask the deeper question: Are we rewarding what looks good or what truly is good? 🌟 Kudos to those who keep pushing the standards higher, not just for their organizations but for the industry as a whole. Let’s continue striving for recognition built on a foundation of genuine accomplishment. What are your thoughts on how we maintain integrity in celebrating excellence? Let’s discuss below! 👇

Have you ever so focused on the one project that isn’t going well? It feels like a mountain, right? Alongside, you have other small projects thriving, clients praising your work, and a growing network of supporters. But you are still not making a step. I have learned that It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not working. How instresting it would get if we shift our focus. Instead of dwelling on the challenges, let’s celebrate our wins for the year, no matter how small. Every step forward, every lesson learned, every positive interaction, these are the building blocks of success. When we recongnize and appreciate our achievements, we fuel our motivation and propel ourselves towards our goals. Let's refocus together. What are you celebrating this year? Share your wins in the comments below!