Success is good. Everyone craves success. And when you succeed, there is always a tendency to let someone know about your achievement.
I have observed lately that most success stories are made public on social media platforms. The posts sometimes come with braggadocious undertones. I believe (your opinion may differ) that such posts ostensibly seek to serve as a means of validation. Anyway, after all the hard work, shouldn’t you celebrate? True.
It is human to desire to be appreciated or flattered and showered with praises from time to time. Is this quest for validation caused by self-doubt, low self-esteem, pride, wanting to also ‘belong’? Or, is it just a desire to let the world celebrate your ‘milestones’ with you? Could this be coming from a mindset deeply rooted in our modern culture that pushes you to try and keep up with or impress others by portraying an ephemeral image?
In my opinion, the desire for validation is necessary and entrenched in human nature; it is a response to something you were born to do (your gift), seated deep down in your spirit. While your potentials remain dormant, unidentified, unrefined, and unused, they cry for attention. And, in your effort to respond to that inner cry, you may take to social media platforms to validate yourself. You may say things to help recognize, establish or illustrate your worthiness or legitimacy (It is not about what you post on social media but the motive for posting and how you attempt to portray yourself).
The bottom line is that wherever you are and irrespective of what you may be doing as a career, you need an encounter (through books, seminars, webinars, sermons, and so on) that will lead you to your true identity, hidden in your GIFT.
Saul of Tarsus was a very learned Pharisee, comparable to a powerful politician and professor in today’s context. He was a persecutor of the early Christian church, powerful enough to authorize the arrest and stoning of followers of The Way like Stephen (Read the Acts of the Apostles). Saul was a zealous patriot. But, when he encountered the Truth, he experienced a transformation that positioned him in his element to writing three-quarters of the New Testament. Saul of Tarsus sought validation in patriotism, hinged on his high intellectual standing and political connections. When he found his gift and calling, it revealed his true identity as he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Apostle Paul.
So, are you validated by college degrees, your position at work, your bank account, your title, political connections, or that deep desire in you to impact other human lives positively and give hope to the hopeless? We read that whatever your hands find to do, you should do it as if you were working for the Lord (Colossians 3: 23). Does the phrase “…whatever your hands find to do…” imply that it is okay to do just anything in life even if not aligned to your gift? No! “…whatever your hands find to do…” can only be referring to your natural gifting.
Your excellence is in your gift. And so is your validation. Seek your natural ability earnestly, find, refine and use it. Read books, relevant books; get knowledge because not knowing what to do in life is the reason for wasted lives (Hosea 4: 6). If you dedicate your life to wrong pursuits, such pursuits not aligned to your gift, this verse becomes true.
Ask, seek or knock (Luke 11: 9) so that you may find and start using your gifts. Doing so will take you beyond all the hard work into becoming an influencer in your world.
What are you going to do?
My books (a course on self-discovery and self-development for career success) Do Yourself a Favor. Get Up! and Move! and its Study Guide are available on Amazon.com. Click here.
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