Biggest Achievement vs. Proudest Achievement
Have you ever wondered about the difference between your biggest achievement and the achievement you are most proud of?
I faced these questions during my Antler India application, and it got me thinking.
At first glance, it might seem like they’re asking the same thing, but are they really?
Will your answers be the same for both, or is there more to it?
We often have a go-to answer in our arsenal for any achievement-related inquiry, but things get tricky when two arrows are aimed at the same shot.
Is your biggest achievement always your proudest, or is there a difference?
In my perspective, the biggest achievement is a personal triumph — a solo endeavour where no second-order effects come into play. It’s about relishing a moment that involves only you.
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On the contrary, a proud achievement always involves a third person — the joy derived from someone else appreciating your accomplishment. You may not be the protagonist in that achievement and necessitates you to take a back seat.
Consider this — gaining admission to your dream school might be your biggest achievement, whereas, on the other hand, winning a case for your client as an advocate could be your proudest. The former involves only you, while the latter impacts a third person.
And, as for me, my answers to the two questions were two different instances of my life.
The biggest achievement, I realized, was the moment when I chose to be an entrepreneur and let go of 1) the job offer which offered me a fat cheque and 2) a coveted MBA seat at IIM. Because according to me, one cannot take a masters in business if you do not know even the basics of doing business.
My proudest achievement was in knowing that I unintentionally inspired a friend to revive his long-lost passion for guitar, simply by embracing my own musical journey in my mid-20s, defying the notion of being “too old to learn.” (In my place, musical instruments are usually learnt while being a school kid, and not many people bother to learn them afterwards, even if they have an interest, fearing embarrassment.)
To conclude, your biggest achievement might not necessarily align with your proudest one. It’s a fascinating exploration of self-discovery and impact.
What do you think of this distinction? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Meanwhile, a question for you — Is Team India winning the World Cup a big achievement or a proud achievement for the players?
