My Biggest Reward of 2024: The Award I Didn’t Get

Each year, a state-level award is bestowed upon outstanding employees with disabilities for their exceptional performance in Uttar Pradesh. This year, I dared to dream of it. My nomination was a compilation of my proudest achievements: running marathons, publishing two books, earning an award from my workplace for incredible performance, and delivering inspiring talks at various conferences.

By all accounts, my chances seemed promising. But when the results came out, my name wasn’t on the list.

At first, the news hit hard. Disappointment lingered momentarily, but as the dust settled, a surprising emotion emerged: a profound sense of accomplishment. How could rejection feel like a reward? Let me explain.

A Blessing in Disguise

Had I won the award, my schedule would have filled up with celebrations, interviews, and formalities. While those moments of recognition would have been exhilarating, they might have also slowed me down. I could have easily slipped into complacency, letting the glow of the award overshadow my hunger for growth.

Instead, not receiving the award left me with uninterrupted time to focus on what truly matters: progress. It allowed me to double down on my goals and keep building, brick by brick.

A Wake-Up Call to Work Harder

This rejection wasn’t just a setback — it was a call to action. It reminded me that success isn’t about a single accolade; it’s about relentless effort. Whether I’d received the award or not, my resolve to keep working hard had to remain intact. This moment solidified a truth I hold dear: progress isn’t optional. Awards are fleeting; growth is enduring.

Resilience over Recognition

Being passed over by the jury was a test of my resilience. It forced me to confront the uncomfortable reality: awards are just external validations. What truly matters is the grind — the blood, sweat, and determination poured into achieving our goals. This realization strengthened my foundation, making my resolve unshakable.

Tapping Into Inner Power

As I reflected on the outcome, I imagined the thrill of winning. That joy could have propelled me to new heights, inspiring me to take bold leaps into exciting projects. But then came a lightbulb moment: I already possess the energy, drive, and potential to leap forward. An award wouldn’t have created these qualities; it would have only highlighted them.

This realization hit me like a lightning bolt. I wasn’t tapping into my inner power — not because I lacked it, but because I was choosing not to. The award might have been a spark, but the fire has always been within me.

Choosing complacency after winning could have been just as probable as using the momentum of success to achieve more. Both outcomes were possibilities, but the lesson remains the same: progress is a choice I must make every single day.

Moving Forward

This experience taught me that rejection isn’t the opposite of success — it’s often its precursor. The biggest reward I received this year wasn’t the award itself but the clarity, motivation, and drive I discovered in its absence. The lesson? Awards can come and go, but the pursuit of excellence is a constant.

So, as 2024 draws to a close, I carry forward this invaluable reward: the courage to push harder, dream bigger, and unleash my potential, regardless of external recognition.

Because in the end, the most significant accolades are the ones we bestow upon ourselves.