50 External Validation

Finding your own vibe and your own beat, effortlessly attracting others because of your warm energy, tuning out the noise of external validation and listening to your own heart, opening yourself up to external validation and accepting compliments.

Paying too much attention to naysayers, listening to opinion as if it is fact, worrying about what others might think, the addictive nature of needing praise, an addiction to social media.

On one hand, external validation can build you up, and give you the encouragement and support to continue. Positive external validation whispers, 'We love it! Continue! We want more.' It can be wonderfully supportive and reassuring, and offer glimpses into what’s possible for the future. In this way, external validation can be a driving force for your success. Yet on the other hand, it can be terribly addictive and become far too important if you give it too much power. It’s important to learn how to tune it out in order to tune in to your own vibe and creative north. This is especially true when others don’t understand your vision or when you are doing something totally new. The absence of external validation can be a creativity killer if you find yourself unable to move ahead without it. It’s time to know thyself, and to rely on your own acumen and intuition as you decide something’s value. Accept the positive when it’s there, and in its absence—be your own cheerleader! Allow your own potential to inspire you, and tune out the noise of external validation whenever it’s not gifting you joy. Throw a headset on, light a candle in your heart, groove to your favorite drumbeat, and relax. Your unique gift for seeing the world in your unique way will guide you.

When do you rely on someone else’s opinion, and whose perspective is the most important when there is a difference of opinion? How can you use external validation as a way to market test or perception-check, without relying on it for inspiration? How can you learn to be your own compass? When is your optimal time to seek a second opinion? In your current situation, you must have the only voice that matters. What does your heart say?