Don't wait for others to validate your vision.
Your vision has inspired you for a long time. You've dreamed it and now you want to make it a reality. But something's nagging you. Maybe you need to talk with a whole bunch of people to see what they think about your vision. While it may be helpful to listen to an expert or two, people often stop short of achieving something they want because they're looking for validation. Waiting for others to validate your vision is a mistake.
Here's why: Each of the people you ask will have a different viewpoint that is built in their experience. Each person you ask has some level of risk tolerance or interest in your project. They're speaking from their vantage point.
Remember - Its your vision and you can see what others cannot see.
Though they may not be able to see what you see it is your role to take the time to bring them into what you have seen. Make them part of it.
What is the biggest reason we seek validation from others when pursuing our vision? Generally it is our own insecurity that causes us to feel uncertain and ask for someone to emotionally validate our vision. We need to get past the insecurity and move forward.
When things don't work out, it's easy to question our vision.
Some days we will not want to do what must be done. Keep moving.
Some days things will not turn out as we planned. Keep moving anyway.
Stay focused on the goal. Keep moving toward accomplishing the vision.
Do not wait for someone else to validate your dreams and goals. It is very unlikely to happen. And not everyone wants you to succeed. That may sound cynical, but I believe it is reality.
The Detractors - We all have coworkers, friends and even family members who simply do not want us to succeed. Sometimes they're simply jealous. They are not going to validate our vision. Consider the following:
The Cynics - These are people who did not do so well in their own vision and who take pleasure in destroying the dreams of others. Avoid them at all cost.
The Naysayers - We also know people who are going to say "It will never work!" They are not going to validate our vision.
The Disinterested - We all know people who simply don't care about our vision. Asking them to validate our ideas is a waste of time and emotional investment.
The Clueless - These are people who simply don't understand what we're trying to do. They don't get it and really don't want to! They are not going to validate our vision.
So your vision belongs to you!
Sometimes moving forward means getting past yourself, your fears, and your self-imposed limitations. Stay the course! No need to seek validation.
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