EYJA 2009 - Participants impression

Spotlight moment

Prizes don't boost anything, except in minds of some bosses. They are just milestones, telling you that you might be on the right road and you should continue challenging yourself and to work and improve even more. Prize doesn't mean you've achieved anything yet, but it's more of a good sign: a smile in a grocery store or a sudden free beer


By JANNE TOIVONEN
from Helsinki, FINLAND
(EYJA winner in Finland)


It all felt suddenly very strange. There I was, wearing my best suit and a new tie and only one-week-old shining black shoes (to be honest, the last time I bought new shoes to wear with a suit was nine years ago), drinking my second glass of champagne and waiting for my turn to step on a podium.

Then they announced my name, in an unfamiliar way of course. A weird Finnish name, a weird pronunciation. But as I heard "Yanneh Taivoonen" that distantly sounded like my name I walked on the stage and got my prize: European Young Journalist Award 2009.

Applause, flashlights, two kisses on the cheek, posing for the photographer. I felt good, comfortable and proud of myself, endorphines were running through my body in a sudden rush. (LESSON 1: THAT MOMENT FEELS GOOD) It's difficult to say why I felt that way. Maybe because I've seen so many galas in my lifetime and somehow got accustomed to this idea: the best ones get the prizes and their moments on the spotlight. Now it was my turn, with 30 other young journalists from all over the Europe, all in the same situation. Getting prizes for the best EU stories of the year. Talented, ambitious young people. Or is it really so? Talented? Sure. Ambitious? Guess so. The best? Hard to say. That's for everyone to value on own.

Two days later, after I had got rid of the last bits of the award ceremony hangover (LESSON 2: THE WINNERS ALWAYS GET A LOT OF FREE DRINKS) I started to think of the meaning of this prize for me and for my career. Did the prize boost me in some way? Did it make me better?

I honestly don't know. But I loved the spotlight moment. I'm way too narcist in that sense. Hey, look at me, I'm good!

But does it boost my career or make me better? No. No way. Prizes don't boost anything, except in minds of some bosses. They are just milestones, telling you that you might be on the right road and you should continue challenging yourself and to work and improve even more. Prize doesn't mean you've achieved anything yet, but it's more of a good sign: a smile in a grocery store or a sudden free beer. It's nice, but soon it's already gone.

And hangover day will always come. (LESSON 3: YOU ALWAYS NEED A PLAN B AFTER ACHIEVING PLAN A) Then you're on your own again. The only thing that matters are your own ideas and ambitions, no matter what they are or whether you even always have an ambition or not. There's anyway more important things in life than work.

And who would get addicted in spotlights anyway? Someone always turns them off just when you are getting into the mood.


(Published: 12.09.2009.)