004. I made an idol out of titles

there, I said it.

If you ever needed a sign of how locked in I am with this community I’m building, let this drop be your reminder—y’all get me in every season.

I know some of you might be wondering, “Why did he put that first?” or “What does this have to do with the article?” But I added it because, truthfully, I’m in a season of uncertainty. Normally, I wouldn’t show back up until I had it all figured out—but this time, I’m choosing to be present, even in the unknown.

I posted my last article—one that, honestly, I feel like I dropped the ball on because I was holding myself back. The topic was really good, but I didn’t want to step on any toes. But that’s a conversation for another time. I posted it while waiting on a decision for a graduate school application I’d been working on since November 2024. I didn’t get accepted into the program, and I shared here and with a private group of friends that I took an L. But looking back, I immediately started second-guessing—was it really an L?

Yes, I applied with the intention of being accepted, and I would have loved to be part of that experience—but does this one moment define my future? Absolutely not. After receiving the denial letter, I had a conversation with a friend that made me realize I was idolizing the title that completing this program would give me. That conversation led me into deep reflection, making me reconsider all my past achievements and the true motivations behind pursuing them.

I titled this article “I Made an Idol Out of Titles” because, honestly, I did. If you know me, you know I’m someone who’s always motivated, never settles, and constantly strives for the best. But at some point, you have to be real with yourself and admit when you’ve placed too much value on titles and accomplishments.

I think this is something we do subconsciously, and it’s so normalized that we don’t even realize how much we attach titles and accolades to our identity. Everybody wants to be something… “Homeowner.” “Wife.” “Husband.” “Christian.” “Legend.” Titles we post for the world to see, but do we actually live up to them? Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t mean you truly embody it. Do you embrace the characteristics of what you claim to be, or are you just fixated on the title?

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive for success or go after what you want. That’s not the message here. But if I could offer something for you to consider—how many times do you scroll through social media and see people chasing the next big thing, the next title, the next accolade?

It’s like we’re always in this race, but no one ever tells us where the finish line actually is. This time, I caught myself doing it—pushing for the next title, the next big achievement, without even taking a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come. And for what? More validation? More proof that I’m “doing life right”?

It’s exhausting.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves: Are we chasing growth, or are we just chasing titles?

I recognized that I started to make an idol out of titles because I heavily attached my identity to my accolades—as if my worth was measured by achievements rather than who I am at my core.

[moment of silence]

As always, I appreciate all of you for just being here. Titles will never define us, and at the end of the day, it’s a marathon—not a race. Also, shoutout to my subscriber who gave me some solid advice about my program denial. That meant a lot. I love y’all for real!

Let me know your thoughts below. ⬇️