In life, leadership, and learning, one quiet truth often determines our success: we grow where we are seen. “Go where you are celebrated” extends beyond a popular saying; it is a motivational framework that supports persistence, energy, and purpose across every stage of life. From students to seasoned professionals, the environments that affirm us are the ones where we thrive.

The Psychology of Being Valued

Motivation is shaped by how we interpret our environment and how that environment responds to us.

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) describes three core needs that fuel motivation: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When people feel free to act, are capable in their tasks, and emotionally connected to others, they exhibit greater engagement, persistence, and overall well-being.

Expectancy-Value Theory adds that we are more likely to pursue a goal if we believe we can succeed and if the outcome holds personal significance (Schnettler et al., 2020), “what’s in it for me”. If an environment consistently affirms our identity and values our contributions, our confidence grows. We take more risks, speak up more often, and stay longer.

Choose Mentors and Networks That Elevate You

One of the most strategic moves any professional or student can make is to curate their circle. Strong mentors and networks offer advice and advocate for you; they speak your name in spaces of opportunity, provide accountability with care, and help you grow in ways that feel aligned with your values. Find a mentor who invites you into new opportunities and challenges you to grow through learning, reflection, and action.

Mentorship and role modeling play a vital role in reinforcing confidence. Choi and Mai-Dalton (2021) found that professionals with engaged mentors reported greater self-efficacy and were more likely to pursue and achieve developmental goals.

Design Your Circle Intentionally

Every decision, from the rooms you enter to the people you align with, affects your ability to stay motivated.

If you feel depleted more often than energized, consider this:

• Do your mentors reflect the person you aspire to become?
• Do your colleagues respect your growth?
• Does your environment acknowledge your worth?

When we are surrounded by people who believe in our vision, we begin to believe in it more deeply ourselves.

Belonging at Work

In professional settings, people remain committed to organizations where they feel recognized. Gallup data shows that employees who feel valued are more productive, loyal, and innovative. This aligns with findings from Gillen-O’Neel (2021), who studied college students and discovered that their sense of belonging was closely tied to motivation and engagement.

Whether you’re starting a new job, shifting careers, or launching a project, the energy to persist comes from feeling like you’re in the right place. Belonging supports well-being. Recognition fuels resilience.

Research in Action: What Students Taught Me

In my dissertation research on online first-generation college students (Henlon, 2025), I found that students who engaged in virtual extracurricular activities, such as alumni panels, peer mentorship groups, and online events, reported higher motivation and a stronger sense of purpose. Participants consistently said things like, “That panel made me feel like I belong here,” or “Seeing someone like me succeed made me believe I could finish.” They learned new skills and felt celebrated.

These same principles apply long after graduation. Adults choose workplaces, friendships, and partnerships where they feel safe, inspired, and empowered. Whether applying to graduate school, preparing for a promotion, or navigating life transitions, the question remains: Does this space celebrate who you are becoming?

Call to Action

The path to progress starts with one powerful choice: step into spaces that see your light and reflect it back.

Motivation grows through connection. Whether you’re building a career, navigating higher education, or embarking on a new chapter, choose spaces that reflect your values. Choose mentors who elevate your strengths. Choose conversations that energize, not deplete. Go where you are celebrated, and watch what grows.

About the Author

Dr. Jessica Henlon is an educational psychologist, consultant, and national speaker with over two decades of experience designing student engagement systems, leadership development programs, and inclusion-centered strategies. She is the founder of Dr. Jessica Henlon Consulting Co., supporting professionals, learning institutions, and nonprofits in building cultures of belonging, purpose, and growth. Learn more at www.jessicahenlon.com

References

Choi, S. L., & Mai-Dalton, R. R. (2021). Mentor support and mentee self-efficacy: A meta-analysis of mentorship impact on professional development. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 129, 103620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103620

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Fong, C. J., Adelugba, S. F., Garza, M., Lorenzi Pinto, G., Gonzales, C., Zarei, P., & Rozek, C. S. (2024). A scoping review of the associations between sense of belonging and academic outcomes in postsecondary education. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09974-y

Gillen-O’Neel, C. (2021). Sense of belonging and student outcomes: A daily study of college student engagement and well-being. Journal of Educational Psychology, 113(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000469 

Henlon, J. (2025). Exploring the learning experiences of online first-generation college students participating in virtual extracurricular activities (Publication No. 32114979) [Doctoral dissertation, Capella University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/docview/3217854749

Schnettler, T., Bobe, J., Scheunemann, A., Fries, S., & Grunschel, C. (2020). Is it still worth it? Applying expectancy-value theory to investigate the intraindividual motivational process of forming intentions to drop out from university. Motivation and Emotion, 44(2), 236–252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-020-09822-w

Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2015). The experience matters more than you think: People value intrinsic incentives more inside than outside an activity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(6), 968–982. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000035