The debate crew in my primary school was the most exciting team I loved to work with through out the years. They had the best charisma, exceptional speaking skill and above well rated by the teachers. I was fortunate to be part of that team and it helped build my confidence as a little child.
I kept on learning new facts and practicing how to speak better before the big mirror in my mum's room because I wanted to maintain that 'class' amongst my peers. On one occasion, I discovered that the thought of maintaining that 'class' and standard was my utmost pursuit rather than learning new facts. This was also accompanied by my academic performance as at time.
Days turned into weeks, months and years and I realized my friends in other schools where only those in the debate crew. I wanted to mingle with those who were highly rated and respected. Our meetings and gossip moments together where always about how people see us and the Joy we get from the various commendations. We felt we had arrived but we were all less than 11 years old.
The consistency in our association, hangouts and gist gave our parents tremendous joy. Our movement was never restricted as they believed we maximized every moment together to learn. Unknowingly to all, our meetings where full of hype and self exaltation on victory which was perceived by few persons(Our local schools' teachers, parents, classmates and friends). The reality of time wasted dawned on us when we met other pupils in "better" schools. We understood we were only but learners in our own locality.
Self confidence and self exaltation are good for us to get better but truly we must be careful not to dwell on them and forget the place of personal development. Most times we are carried away by the numerous commendations we get from people that we forget we can't get to the heights we hope to attain by past glory.
Self exaltation and positive words are sources of motivation and encouragement to go ahead but please don't dwell there for too long.
When you are appraised, never forget someone has been appraised somewhere before you.
"Positive appraisal is a trigger for more success and accomplishment not for self exaltation".(Vicky Okorie, 2017).
Be more productive..
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