seeking approval

Do you often find yourself seeking the approval of others, longing for validation and acceptance? Have you ever compromised your values or neglected your own well-being to please people? If so, you're not alone. In today's episode, I’m diving into the topic of the idol of approval. Friends, here’s the truth: It's time that we embrace the freedom found in our true identity in Christ. It’s time to shed the heavy burden of seeking external validation and step into a life of authenticity, joy, and purpose.​

In this episode I specifically chat through:​

• The influences of approval that we see and hear every single day 
• Recognizing the signs that indicate an unhealthy attachment to seeking approval 
• Five practical steps to break free from the idol of approval  

Friends, seeking the approval of others can hinder our personal growth, rob us of joy, and prevent us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. But here’s the good news, we have the power to break free from this idol and embrace the freedom and acceptance found in our identity in Christ. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, loved by a God who calls us His own. Let’s prioritize seeking God's approval above all else and trust in His guidance. By doing so, we release the heavy burden of seeking validation from others and instead, step into a life of genuine fulfillment, peace, and purpose. It's time to break free from the idol of approval and embrace the truth that our worth and value come from a loving Creator, not the opinions of others. 

 Connect with Jen:​
Website: https://drjenbennett.com/​
#BeWorthFollowing Book: http://amzn.to/2H4gn9m​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjenbennett/​
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenbennett/

Dr. Jen Bennett is a driven visionary communicator who has a unique way of connecting with her audience. She enjoys teaching, leading, and building and is committed to helping others be successful. As the Hodson Endowed Faculty of Entrepreneurship at Indiana Wesleyan University, Jen equips college students to “seek the welfare of the city” through their entrepreneurial ventures and to lead with influence to impact culture for Christ.​
Jen has consulted various entrepreneurs, small business owners, ministries, organizations, and college students in social media, personal branding, marketing, and public relations. She is the author of the book #BeWorthFollowing: How to be Different and Influence People in a Crowded Social World and host of the She Impacts Culture podcast, a podcast for trailblazing, faith-based women who want to lead with influence and impact culture for Christ. 

In this episode, Kristen talks with Alyssa Pfennig, an intuitive business coach, digital marketing strategist, and a certified yoga therapist, about how to stop seeking approval from others so you can create the life that you desire for yourself.

https://alyssapfennig.com/

This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about ideas on stress management and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not psychotherapy/counseling in any form. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment.  For my full Disclaimer please go to www.kristendboice.com.

For counseling services near Indianapolis, IN, visit www.pathwaystohealingcounseling.com. Pathways to Healing Counseling's vision is to provide warm, caring, compassionate, and life-changing counseling services and educational programs to individuals, couples, and families in order to create learning, healing, and growth.

Seeking acknowledgment and praise is universal – and we often look for it outside of ourselves. 

When I am frustrated that others aren’t noticing how much I’m sacrificing myself on their behalf, I now know to look within to notice where I’m not giving myself what I need and am looking for from them. I need to question why I believe I need to do what I am doing in order to have that.

If other people are a reflection of what I’m putting out in the world, it means that when I am not seeing love, respect, and appreciation from them, maybe it’s ME who isn’t putting respect love, and praise out there.

When you’re able to slow down and ask, “What am I radiating at this moment?” If I notice I am seething in frustration, then it’s no wonder that I see frustration and anger everywhere around me. What does it take to turn that moment around and make space to feel something else?

Often it requires allowing yourself to feel exactly how you are without sending it away from yourself. It takes ownership of your experience and allows you to breathe through the emotion as you continue on with life.

I use mindfulness to watch myself and describe what I am doing at the moment without trying to alter it.

For example, I might be a person out for a walk in the sunshine where the wind is cold and my cheeks hurt, and I am feeling pissed off and waking very fast. When I can just be with myself as an impartial observer of my thoughts and feelings, it moves through faster and often I see the answer of what to do to help me feel better and give myself what I need and really wanted.

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It feels pretty good to have the approval of others. But keeping their approval gets really exhausting. Is it possible to leave our people-pleasing ways?

It feels pretty good to have the approval of others. But keeping their approval gets really exhausting. Is it possible to leave our people-pleasing ways?