About this quote

We often sweat in obscurity while someone else steps into the spotlight to take the credit. This unfair gap between effort and recognition happens in office cubicles and family kitchens every day. The grind is messy and completely unglamorous. You have to decide if you are doing the work for the applause or for your own growth. Focus on your building phase and let the showoffs have their moment.

When to use it

• I spent three days cleaning up the messy database backend, and my manager got a promotion for the new dashboard. I guess the caterpillar does all the work.
• My mom prepped the entire Thanksgiving meal for twenty people, but everyone cheered for my uncle when he carved the turkey.
• You did all the heavy research for the group project while your partner just read the slides and got the praise. That is classic butterfly behavior.