Welcome to Freedom.

We grow up learning that if we do this, it leads to that, and if we do that, it leads to this, and this, and this … and … success.

Our story is one of causation in which we are at the helm of our ship of Life, steering a course to better shores.

It’s ingrained in us from the moment our parents pin our crayon scribble on the fridge door. When we’re flipping burgers the boss incentivises us with Crew Member of the Month awards. Everything leads to something better.

It’s reinforced in every year of school - literally - that we progress to. If we do this - then we get to Year 2, 3, 4, 5 … 12 … Uni … job … promotion … pay rise … Masters Degree … promotion … head hunted … promotion … Doctorate …

Such that if (more like when) we tap the accelerator and … nothing … When we land that great client and the other bloke gets the promotion … When we do that course that says Leadership means doing X and we do X and … nothing.

Our first instinct is to think - what did I do wrong? Why didn’t I get the mid-life equivalent of Crew Member of the Month?

Welcome to Adulthood. Welcome to Freedom.

Once the initial shock passes (it may take a while) - we should realise that there is no law of the universe that says my work, my efforts, my integrity, my honesty, my … anything … automatically leads to a reward - or causes anything. (Admit it. You always expect something.)

You do good things for their own sake. Nice to get an attaboy from the boss or a client or that woman in the other department who benefitted from your cleverness. But don’t expect it. Don’t assume it. Most importantly, don’t interpret the silence or even criticism as evidence your work isn’t good. Or that you’re no good.

You do it because it’s what you do. If it’s acknowledged - Bonus.

If it’s criticised - Learn. Then do it better.

Whatever you do - don’t hand your happiness or sense of progress as a human to someone else to decide.

Just do good work because you’re a grownup now.