A few weeks ago, I was coaching a massively successful business owner. Despite significant external success, he still experienced troubling internal tension — specifically, a desire for people to like and approve of him.
"How do I stop chasing other people's approval?" he finally asked. "It's affecting my life maybe more than I realize." Rather than tell him what he should do, I told him the three things I remind myself:
I remember I've lived my entire life without their approval, so if I don't get it now, I'll continue to be just fine.
Finally (and I love this one!), I ask myself, "What would I do with their approval if I got it?"Desire tells us to want things but rarely thinks beyond the pursuit. I don’t want to chase rainbows with no pot of gold at the end, like other people's approval.
Brian Kight is a multi-industry leader on the topics of leadership, culture, and behavior. He provides simple systems that produce exceptional results for organizations, teams, and people.
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