Redefining What You Deserve

Today at a Glance:

• Success comes from acknowledging both your efforts and the support from others.
• Recognizing your contributions and owning your accomplishments can be empowering.
• Waiting to feel "ready" can hold you back. Growth is a continuous process, and success comes from stepping into opportunities even when you feel unprepared.

2024 Has Been a Good Year for Kendrick Lamar

This year, he won a widely publicized creative feud with one of the best-selling artists of all time. One of his diss tracks dominated the charts for weeks and earned five Grammy nominations.

His tour was a complete sell-out, and on November 22nd, he released a surprise album that garnered widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. It debuted at #1 on the US Apple Music charts, becoming the fastest rap album of 2024 to achieve this milestone.

Beyond commercial success, many are already calling it a bold statement that redefines the direction of modern hip-hop.

But if you’re not familiar with Kendrick Lamar, I wouldn’t be surprised.

He has always been a relatively private figure in an industry that thrives on constant exposure.

Despite his acclaim and accolades, he avoids overexposure, releasing music on his own terms. It’s part of what makes him so intriguing.

A friend of mine once said he believes Kendrick suffers from imposter syndrome, constantly trying to outdo himself. It’s this syndrome, he argued, that makes Kendrick’s work seem better each time. Listening to his music over the years, you might be inclined to agree.

But this year, it feels like he conquered it and one of the standout tracks on his new album offers a rare glimpse into why I think so.?

In this track, Kendrick confidently proclaims, “I deserve it all.”

The song appeared to reflect on a man's journey and experiences that have led him to a significant point but to me, it also felt like the declaration of someone who has wrestled with self-doubt and external pressures, and the pursuit of perfection and then came out of the fight with clarity and resolve.

But not alone because while he claims he has worked hard and so he deserves it all, he doesn’t claim he did it alone. He had some help.

Listening to this made me think about the balance between humility and self-assurance.

Kendrick’s music seems to reflect not just personal victories but also a broader truth: that many of us struggle to recognize our own contributions and worth.

Perhaps we need moments like this, not to dwell on the extreme of either self-neglect or self-congratulation but to embrace perseverance, growth, and hard work.

In a culture where self-promotion often overshadows quiet diligence, we have to remind ourselves that success is relative, it is also rarely instantaneous.

Actually, it’s the result of countless hours of effort, support from others, and lessons learned along the way. And yes, it also involves navigating challenges, criticism, and self-doubt.

His story invites us to pause and acknowledge our own paths.

We all have something valuable to contribute, and it’s time we start believing that.

When we think we have nothing to offer, we hold back and play small. We shy away from opportunities—not because they don’t align with our purpose, but because we feel unworthy or unready.

But who’s ever truly ready?

We’re all on a journey of growth, one that only ends when we’re gone. We’re all trusting the process.

While success looks different for everyone, there’s something universal about the satisfaction that comes from seeing the fruits of hard work.

And no, I am not talking about entitlement and bragging but rather appreciating the journey and recognizing that confidence and humility can coexist.

So here’s a takeaway: Let’s embrace our contributions, learn from our setbacks, and celebrate the progress we’ve made, not just for ourselves but for the inspiration it offers to others.

At the same time, let’s stay grounded, knowing that our achievements are part of a larger picture that could only have happened through collaboration, opportunity, and the support of those around us.

In Kendrick’s own words:?“I deserve it all.”?And maybe you have, too.

But never stop working to deserve it.

You’ve got this.

Till next time,

Salud.

In Case You Missed It:

Last week, I wrote about?how Vulnerability is Contextual providing insights into the danger of being vulnerable in unsafe spaces, and what makes an environment safe for vulnerability with three steps to navigate vulnerability wisely.