The cost of chasing approval

Let’s be real.

At some point, we all want a pat on the back.

A sign that what we’re doing is being noticed.

But getting addicted to these validations comes at a cost.

A cost that you might not notice until it starts eating away at your true potential.

Many people struggle with deep emptiness despite the success they’ve achieved.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll explore how craving for approval can quietly sabotage your success.

??? From Applause to Alignment

15 years ago, it’s safe to say that I was obsessed with external approval.

I climbed the corporate ladder and made my way to the largest hedge fund in the world.

At first, everything seemed great.

I was getting the attention, the appraisal, the validation, and admiration.

I was happy, or so I thought.

But over time, I started to feel lost.

I was smiling on the outside and enjoying the pats on my back, but inside, I felt a gnawing emptiness.

I felt sad, stuck, lonely, and deeply unsatisfied.

Then I realized I was never truly happy.

And this unhappiness had been there the whole time.

It was just being ignored and overshadowed by external admiration.

Until the smoke grew into a fire.

Too great to be ignored.

One may ask why.

I had risen to a commendable level of success.

Why the burning feeling of dissatisfaction?

Because I lost sense of what truly mattered to me.

I was saying yes to lots of things that didn’t really align.

I prioritized “What would they say?” over “What do I want?”

Until I lost myself.

Then one day I made the hard decision to discover my own path and stay true to it.

And I’ve never felt this happy, successful, and fulfilled.

...

This morning, another edition of my newsletter landed in subscribers' mailboxes - did you get it?

If not, you missed how tying your drive to the approval of others can make you:

1. Dilute your uniqueness.
2. Feel a constant sense of dissatisfaction.
3. Lose control over your decisions and goals.
4. Lose sight of your values and what truly matters.

You can read it here . And make sure to subscribe (it's free) so you don’t miss it next week.