Accomplishment Quote by Richard Nelson Bolles
““I like the late Bernard Haldane's definition of an achievement. He says it is: something you yourself feel you have done well, that you also enjoyed doing and felt proud of. In other words you are looking for an accomplishment that gave you two pleasures: enjoyment while doing it, and satisfaction from the outcome. That doesn't mean you may not have sweated as you did it, or hated some parts of the process, but it does mean that basically you enjoyed most of the process. The pleasure was not simply in the outcome, but along the way as well.””
About This Quote
Source Book: What Color Is Your Parachute?, 1970
An achievement blends enjoyment of the process with pride in the result, even if parts are hard.
In simple terms: Success feels good while doing it and after.
Key Takeaway
Seek work that satisfies both effort and outcome.
Themes
purpose
ful
self‑esteem
Mood
inspired
reflective
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- learning new skills
- entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
intrinsic motivation
flow
self‑determination theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What tasks give you joy during effort?
- How can you increase satisfaction in challenging work?
A Different Perspective
If the process is painful, enjoyment may be fleeting.
