Hey! To get recognised at work can feel impossible sometimes, especially when you give your all but barely receive any acknowledgement. You handle extra tasks, meet deadlines, and even go the extra mile…but recognition and rewards often seem out of reach. Then, you akan feel frustrated and demotivated when no one notices your hard work.

Image by freepik
Why it’s tough to get recognised
Work gurus give all sorts of advice: “Go above and beyond!” “Take initiative!” “Show leadership!” But let’s be honest, if you’re not in a top management position, this can feel impossible. You have assigned tasks, deadlines, and expectations. Do you really have time or authority to take the fast lane and do extraordinary things, especially if your boss doesn’t actively encourage exposure or champion your efforts?
My personal approach
In my case, I’ve stopped trying too hard. Sure, some colleagues acknowledge that I handle a lot of work, but is recognition for acknowledgement alone enough? Words won’t change the fact that I have limited opportunities to earn more or climb higher in the organisation.
So, what’s the alternative? Recognise yourself.
Take a picture, make a post, or document your achievements. Highlight your efforts on LinkedIn, internal communications, or even personal notes. If you don’t, who will? Nobody else will always showcase your contribution or provide proof that you’re actively participating.
Practical ways to get noticed at work
- Document your wins – Keep a personal log of completed tasks, projects, or milestones.
- Share strategically – Update everyone. LOL
- Use visuals – Photos can help communicate results clearly.
- Celebrate your own progress – Even small wins count. It can boost your motivation and morale.
Final thought
Getting recognised at work can frustrate you, especially when you feel invisible. But waiting for others to notice isn’t always the solution. Take control, document your work, and make your contributions visible. Sometimes, you have to be your own advocate to ensure your efforts don’t go unnoticed.
Good luck. If this story resonated with you and you’d like to support more posts like this, you can buy me a coffee 👉 https://ko-fi.com/nlymr. Thanks for reading!