Purpose ,Praise, and the Problem of Doing It for Others

Episode 3: Purpose, Praise, and the Problem of Doing It for Others In this episode of *Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard*, we unpack a powerful trap that so many high-achievers fall into: confusing purpose with praise. You might be doing all the right things—working hard, meeting expectations, getting noticed—but deep down, something feels off. That’s not a motivation problem. That’s a purpose problem. We explore how external validation can hijack your direction, how to spot when you're working for others instead of yourself, and what it really takes to reconnect with the kind of work that *matters to you*. What You’ll Learn: - The subtle ways we chase approval instead of purpose - Why burnout can sometimes be a sign of misalignment - Red flags that you’ve disconnected from your values - A personal story of shifting from "What will they think?" to "What do I want?" Listener Reflection Challenge Take 10 quiet minutes this week and ask yourself: - What am I doing that I wouldn’t choose without praise? - What used to give me purpose that I stopped doing? - What would I pursue if no one had an opinion? Resources & Links - Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/easy-hard-vs-hard-hard-7337526896307429377/ - Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-shelton-pmp-acc-124502b - Email me: [email protected] - Share this episode with someone running in the wrong direction - Catch up on Episode 2: *Productivity is a Trap—Unless You Redefine It*