Seeking Approval from Others is Time-Consuming
Think of how many other things you could be doing besides arguing with people about your plans and trying to get them to see through your eyes? To be honest, some people may never understand you or even try to see things your way. Asking others for approval adds a superfluous step to making a decision.
Instead of relying on others to support you, support yourself. If you have a burning desire to travel the world, just go. You can tell others of your plans, but just leave it at that. You don’t need their approval if you support your decision already. Time is precious, so use it to make your heart happy instead of convincing others to agree with every decision you make.
Freedom Comes When you Depend Solely on Yourself
Imagine how it would feel to make a big decision about your life all by yourself. Believe it or not, you have the strength to carry out your plan without others’ permission.
Next time you feel inclined to receive counsel from family/friends about your next big move, try to set your plan into action first. Don’t feel like you have to inform everyone when you make decisions; you can save a lot of headaches and gain freedom when initiating change by yourself. You are the creator and master of your own life – never forget that. You have the power to transform your life all by yourself; all you have to do is believe it. True freedom awaits us when we rise up to our own potential and let go of our need to please everyone, which brings us to the next point…
You Can’t Please Everyone, So Don’t Even Try
Not everyone will agree with you all the time. Maybe no one will agree with your plan besides you, and that’s okay. Being a people-pleaser usually makes everyone happy except you, and you’re the most important part of the equation.
Everything stems from you – the quality of your relationships, your thoughts about life, what career you choose, etc. If you make major life decisions with everyone but you in mind, you will never find true happiness.
For example, if you took a high-paying job as a Marketing Director at a huge company just because your parents wanted you to, but you absolutely hated it, what good does this do for you? If you can’t come home at the end of the day and say you’re happy, nothing else matters. Not the money, your parent’s approval, your title or status, none of it. Do what makes you happy, and others can either choose to encourage you or rain on your parade. Remember that others’ unhappiness with your life is not your responsibility to fix; everyone is in charge of their own.
You Get to Know Yourself Better
There is no relationship more important than the relationship you have with yourself. If you look to your inner-self for guidance and wisdom, you will better understand who you are and what you want out of life. Take some time to tune into you- block out the voices from everyone else attempting to control your life and listen to your inner guide. By breaking the habit of approval-seeking, you can put all your focus into figuring yourself out and learn to trust in your path, rather than putting that responsibility on others.
You Drain Yourself of Valuable Energy
Not only does approval-seeking waste time, but it wastes energy as well. Energy makes up everything in this vast Universe, including you. If you want to use that energy in the most efficient ways, cut out unnecessary actions. If you want to keep the fire alive and truly transform your life, you will need to dismiss the need to gain outside approval for your decisions.
It Could Discourage you From Following Your Heart
Let’s pretend that you want to drop out of college and travel the world on a quest to find yourself. Do you first worry about how you think others will react? If this truly resonates with you, you will never know unless you try, and you will forever wonder where life would’ve gone, had you only listened to that inner calling.
Don’t let others kill your dreams before they become a reality. Have confidence in yourself and trust that your inner voice is directing you to the right path.
It Promotes Fear
When you seek approval from others, you begin to form expectations of what they will say. You start to think of how the conversation will go if they don’t agree with you, and you become anxious of their response. Fear only holds you back, but love will set you free. If you truly love yourself and feel assured with your life, you won’t even think twice about giving up the need for acceptance. We have been conditioned to be afraid of many things – other people, their opinions of us, trying new things, listening to new ideas, and much more.
Remember that fear is just an illusion. Give into who you truly are, which is abundant and unconditional Love, and you will realize the limitless power within that greatly surpasses the power of others’ opinions.
