Nurturing SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT in Education
- Kristijan Musek Lešnik
- Nov 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Accomplishment is the lived sense of “I can do this.” It grows when goals are clear, effort is coached, and progress is visible. Authentic achievement isn’t outperforming others; shifting attention from comparison to personal progress lead to stable self-respect.
Importance of the feeling that our efforts lead to progress, mastery, and success
Our achievements — big or small — strengthen our self-worth. They remind us that we are capable, resilient, and constantly evolving. And the best part? They don’t have to be monumental. Even small personal successes are powerful building blocks of lasting well-being.
Achievements in School
Every realized goal, no matter how modest, brings feelings of satisfaction and pride. For children and young people success fuels positive emotions such as hope, compassion, gratitude, enthusiasm, and joy — emotions that in turn strengthen motivation and perseverance. Kids who regularly experience small victories tend to:
Feel more engaged and optimistic
Develop stronger and more stable relationships
Show greater curiosity and creativity
Celebrate others’ success without envy
Recognizing and celebrating children’s achievements in school helps them build healthy self-confidence. But it’s equally important that this encouragement doesn’t fuel perfectionism. One of the most valuable lessons in education is helping children and youth understand that school isn’t about being perfect; it’s about growing.
Accomplishment in Preschool and School
When children and youth see teachers and parents working toward something meaningful, they begin to understand how success is built. They learn most about achievement not from lessons, but from watching the adults around them set goals and follow through. And through their own experience: nothing motivates a child like the joy of accomplishment. Each success strengthens their self-confidence and trust in their abilities — key ingredients for lifelong resilience.
That’s why one of the most important roles of adults is to teach children how to set and pursue goals. The more encouragement and support they get, the sooner they will learn to do it independently — and the more confident they will become.
Common Pitfalls
Reducing Achievement to Academic Results
In schools, we can easily fall into the trap of equating achievement solely with grades or awards. But every child’s success — no matter how small — is a chance to reflect and celebrate:
How did you feel when you succeeded?
What helped you get there?
What can you use from this experience next time?
Especially when goals are self-chosen, these reflections help children understand the value of effort, not just outcomes. Praising genuine effort — rather than easy success — has the greatest positive impact.
The Trap of Comparison
Another major challenge for children is constant comparison. Social comparison has always shaped our sense of worth — sometimes positively, but often at a cost. If a child learns to measure themselves only against others, their self-esteem begins to rely on external validation rather than inner growth. That’s a fragile foundation for life.
True accomplishment isn’t about outperforming others — it’s about pursuing one’s own goals and finding satisfaction in the process, the learning, and the growth along the way. Helping children keep their focus inward — on their own learning, talents, and progress — rather than on the achievements of others, builds genuine confidence and lays the foundation for lasting self-respect.
In Essence
Accomplishment is not about trophies or rankings — it’s about growth, persistence, and pride in progress. It’s about the feeling of “I can do this,” even after setbacks.
For both children and adults, celebrating achievements — big and small — nurtures confidence, optimism, and resilience. And when success is shared with warmth and gratitude, it becomes much more than an outcome —it becomes a source of joy and connection.
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