When I was a kid, like many of us, I had a habit of shouting something that felt incredibly important at the time:
“Hey, Mom, look what I did!”
“Dad, come see!”
It could’ve been a flip off the diving board, a drawing on the fridge, or a new personal best in backyard push-ups — it didn’t matter. I just wanted someone to see it. I wanted someone to notice. I wanted to feel validated.
Now, decades later, as a coach working with clients from teenagers to those in their 70s and 80s, I can tell you something with absolute certainty:
That need never goes away.
🎯 We Never Outgrow the Desire to Be Seen
I’ve trained a wide range of people over the years — CEOs, students, retirees, athletes, busy parents — and across every age, one thing stays the same:
When a client lifts five more pounds than they did last week…
When they push through an extra rep…
When they improve their sleep or stick with their meal prep…
They want me to know about it.
Not in an arrogant way. In a human way. They light up when I acknowledge it — even if it’s just a smile and a simple “I see you. That was awesome.”
There’s something sacred in being noticed. We don’t just want feedback — we want to feel like our effort made a difference to someone.
🧠 Wisdom from John Maxwell and Mary Kay
Two of my favorite voices in personal growth — John Maxwell and Mary Kay Ash — both understood this at a deep level.
– John Maxwell says:
“Figure out what’s important to people and ask them about it often.”
– Mary Kay Ash famously said:
“Imagine every person is wearing an invisible sign that says, ‘Make me feel important.’”
When you combine those two ideas, you unlock a superpower in relationships, leadership, and coaching:
You stop making conversations about you… and you start making people feel seen.
That’s how trust is built. That’s how lives are changed.
💪 My 315-Pound Deadlift — and Who I Shared It With
I still remember the first time I deadlifted 315 pounds. I was living in Colorado at the time. I was in my 40s. It was a massive milestone for me — not just physically, but emotionally.
What did I do?
I took a photo and sent it to both of my dads — my father and my stepfather.
Yes, I was a grown man. But that little boy inside me still wanted to say:
“Look what I did.”
And I wanted someone who mattered to me to notice.
💬 The Takeaway for Coaches, Leaders, and Everyday Life
If you’re in a position to lead, mentor, coach, parent, or simply encourage someone else — don’t underestimate the power of noticing. Don’t hold back praise. Don’t assume someone already knows they did well.
Tell them. Celebrate them. Validate the effort, not just the outcome.
Because somewhere in all of us is still that kid with big eyes and a hopeful heart saying:
“Hey, look what I did!”
And when someone takes the time to notice?
It changes everything.
✨ Action Step
Who in your life needs to hear:
– “I saw what you did.”
– “I’m proud of you.”
– “That took courage.”
Text them. Call them. Tell them in person.
You may never know just how much they needed to hear it — but you’ll never regret that you said it.
Best of luck in your journey.
kellyamidonblog.com 
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