Achievement vs Success?

Posted By: Nancy Anderson In: Business Professional

In my last posting a week ago, I opened the door on asking "why" you were interested in acquiring a position in the customer service field? Some people have a knack and passion for helping others, while some just look at it as a job, something to get them by for now. Hopefully you are not the latter type of person.


Some people do their job just to get through it - just to get by for that day. Others do their job out of a real love for it. Some look at their job as a stepping stone to something better, and others view it as much more.


Just the other day I read an interesting post on another related blog, and I thought it worthy to share the general idea. It started with this quote from legendary actress Helen Hayes:

“My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.”

– Helen Hayes

So, what do you think, is that a fair assessment of the terms? Do you agree with that distinction? I think it has much going for it. If you wake up each day with the intent to do your best to learn, apply and work hard, then you should be fully satisfied at the end of the day, knowing that you have indeed achieved something that day.


On the other hand, if your only task in life is to receive the praise of others, then your focus becomes only on success and not on a true sense of achievement. It becomes less about doing the best job, and more about doing something to get the attention and praise of others. This can make your days become filled with an obsession to find new ways to gain the attention of those around you, rather than really achieving the goal. First off, only one of these aspects is really within your control.


You can do much to accomplish the achievement side of things. You study, learn, prepare, do your best, and therefore you accomplish the achievement side of things. However, the success issue is not really in your hands. You can only do so much to gain someone’s attention, with no guarantee that it will work. You can be the biggest "brown noser" around, but that doesn't guarantee that you'll get noticed as you wish. In acting and focusing on just that aspect - of trying to impress or cater to the boss - you are not guaranteed success in it, and you usually end up turning the focus away from really doing a good job.


You should focus on achievement and you may find in the end that you have the best of both worlds. Nowadays, management is pretty much aware of who is sincere in their position and who is just trying to impress. Co-workers are likewise keen to such types of traits. There is also a third type of person – the one who does just enough to get by, and seeks to stay off the "radar," working silently in the shadows. It is actually a combination of some of these traits that is best desired.


It is fine to stay off the radar somewhat, but do not seek to fade into the background and be an unknown. Work hard, find ways to excel above and beyond what is required. Apply yourself to your highest level, and have a real passion for what you are doing. This is the type of person that, even when off the radar, tends to get noticed for their work. In this way you have that satisfaction of achievement everyday, which might just lead to real success in the future that is based on a solid foundation of true achievement.


This is a great philosophy for a work ethic to consider if you are not already one of these people. Do you have anything to add? Please share below in the comments section.


Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Customer Service Jobs blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Beyond.com blog sites.