Approval Junkies

Are you an approval junkie?

She said, “You’ll never make any friends being like this.”

I replied, “I’m not here to make friends – I have friends. I’m here to do a job.”

You should care more about being respected than you do about seeking others’ approval and validation.

I was a brand new manager at Lady Footlocker when this happened to me. She was the manager at the store next door. And, this woman was upset because I no longer allowed her and her other employees to use the restroom in our back room.

Our company loss prevention policies clearly stated that only our employees were allowed in the back room. Bank deposits, purses and inventory were kept there – so it was inappropriate for anyone who didn’t work at Lady Footlocker to be back there.

So, I didn’t waver.

I was 21 years old at the time.

See, when this manager came into the store and asked to speak with me outside, I stood my ground with confidence – even though she was old enough to be my mother.

I was more concerned with being respected than I was being liked. I didn’t care what she thought or if she approved of my leadership.

A Lesson from the Super Bowl Halftime Show

So, what about you?

The 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show reminded me of this story, as I watched two women strut their stuff powerfully, athletically and confidently during their performance.

They weren’t worried about your approval, or anyone else’s for that matter. They also didn’t care if you liked the show or if you thought it wasn’t family-friendly enough.

Simply put: they were not looking for your approval. They had the courage to be disliked. 

These two women were comfortable with who they were.

And, they knew who their audience was and they knew how to put on a show for them.

Are you an Approval Junkie?

Learn the lesson, here. You must give yourself permission to live your life and run your business on your terms.

You have to be willing to let go of the approval you seek from your clients, friends, and family. And, you might even have to risk having some of those people dislike you. Can you do it?

Why? Because, there is only one way to let go of the need for other people’s approval. You have to approve of yourself, and your own behaviour.

Do you approve of who you are as a human being and where your business is going?

Only you can answer these questions. If the answer is no, you might be an approval junkie.

A word of caution: In life and business, always seeking the approval of others will keep you playing small. Trying to be all things to all people – except for yourself and what you truly want is no way to live.

3 Ways Letting Go Of Approval Will Change Your Life

Now, once you’re willing to let your need for approval go, your entire life will change.

You won’t care or obsess about what others think. You’ll strive for excellence in the work you do – for yourself and the right people – and your business will grow because of it.

You’ll see an impact in the following ways:

1. Freedom – You’ll be free to create and implement decisions on your own terms
2. Ownership –  You’ll be 100% responsible and accountable for your own results and performance
3. Confidence – You’ll know you can rely on yourself, to make the right choices for you.

These aren’t traits people are just born with. These are traits you can develop and strengthen every day by choosing not to care too much about what other people think.

Tell me – what’s one thing you decided to do in life – even though someone didn’t approve – that you’re super glad you did?