"Don't confuse honours with achievement."

Confusing honors with achievements is a common pitfall. At its core, it’s about recognizing the difference between external rewards and true accomplishments. Honors are the medals, trophies, and accolades you might receive. Achievements are the hard work, growth, and progress that you make along the way.

Imagine this: You’re back in high school, and there’s a student who always wins the “Student of the Year” award. The plaque looks great on the wall, and their parents are super proud. But dig a little deeper. Did they genuinely learn and grow, or did they just play the game—navigating the system to collect shiny titles without really engaging with the material?

This idea became popular in various motivational and self-help circles. People began realizing that chasing honors might give you temporary satisfaction, but it’s the achievements that have lasting value. Think about the business world. An employee might be awarded “Employee of the Month” repeatedly. It’s an honor, sure, but what if their colleague, who’s never won but consistently takes on challenging projects and innovates, ends up being the real MVP in the long run?

Consider J.K. Rowling’s journey as an illustrative example. When she first wrote “Harry Potter,” nobody handed her a medal. Rejected by dozens of publishers, she faced a lot of setbacks. But she was achieving something much deeper—perfecting her craft, building a story that would captivate millions. When the series finally took off, the honors poured in—awards, recognition, global fame. But all those honors were just the icing on the cake. The true achievement was the creation of an entire magical world that resonated with people across the globe.

How can you apply this wisdom? Focus on the process, not just the result. If you’re a student, don’t just aim for the top grades; immerse yourself in the subject, understand it deeply. If you’re working, don’t just angle for the next promotion; look for opportunities to learn and grow. It’s about the journey, the little wins along the way, and the knowledge you accumulate.

Let’s put this in a more relatable context. Imagine you’re training for a marathon. You might get a medal for completing the race, but the real achievement isn’t the piece of metal at the end. It’s in the months of training, the early mornings, the discipline, the overcoming of injuries and self-doubt. The honor is a nice touch, but the achievement is what transforms you.

Ultimately, when you’re sitting with a friend over coffee, remember to celebrate both their honors and achievements. Tell them how proud you are of their resilience, their growth, the effort they put in—regardless of the external recognition. Because at the end of the day, honors might come and go, but true achievements, they shape who we are.