Stop Chasing Approval: How to Build Authentic Success From Within as Your Inner CEO

Are you building your business for YOU or for someone else? Is the hustle really worth it if it’s not leading you to true fulfillment? The truth is, if you’re chasing external validation, you’re setting yourself up for burnout and a never-ending chase. But what if you could break free from the “shoulds” and build a business that aligns with your values and passions? It’s time to shift from external pressures and start leading with internal motivation to create lasting success. In this post, we’re diving into how to make that shift, and how it’ll completely change your approach to business and life.

Discovering the Power of Internal Motivation

Let’s face it—hustle culture is everywhere. It’s easy to get sucked into the cycle of working harder, climbing higher, and achieving more for the sake of external recognition. But here’s the catch: external validation often leads to burnout and a deep sense of dissatisfaction. And if you’re working toward someone else’s definition of success, you’re never truly going to feel fulfilled.

I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to live for the praise of others, chasing goals because they look good on paper or because they’re “what you’re supposed to do.” But what if you could stop living on other people’s terms and start creating a life and business that lights you up? That’s where internal motivation comes in.

Internal motivation comes from a place of passion, authenticity, and alignment with your core values. It’s the difference between achieving a goal because you have to versus achieving it because you want to. When you’re motivated from within, success starts to feel natural—like you’re in flow—and that’s when true fulfillment happens. As I like to say: “Are you climbing the ladder for yourself or for somebody else?”

Recognizing the Signs of External Validation

External validation shows up in many forms, often sneaking in without us realizing it. Maybe you’re constantly comparing yourself to others in your industry, striving to impress people, or making decisions based on what others think is “successful.” These signs are all indicators that you’re operating from external validation, not from your own internal drive.

When you focus on external validation, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of constantly setting goals that are dictated by someone else’s standards. You’ll achieve one thing, only to set the next goal based on what you think others expect. This cycle can leave you feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and exhausted. I’ve seen it time and time again—entrepreneurs and creatives working themselves into the ground trying to impress the “right” people, only to feel empty once they reach their goals. It’s the dangerous trap of working for validation instead of purpose.

And let’s talk about the industry pressures that amplify this. For example, photographers may focus on gaining awards or hitting “vanity metrics” to impress their peers or clients. But what happens when those accolades don’t truly resonate with their passions? They burn out. They feel disconnected from their work. And they wonder, “Is this really what I want?”

Practical Steps to Align with Authentic Desires

Now that you recognize the signs of external validation, it’s time to make a change. Here are some powerful steps you can take to align your business with your true desires and reclaim your sense of purpose:

1. Ask the hard questions: Start with introspection. Ask yourself, “What lights me up?” “What do I truly want to create or contribute in the world?” By tuning into your inner voice, you can start uncovering what truly excites you—beyond the pressures of what society or your industry expects.
2. Set clear boundaries: Learning to say “no” to things that don’t align with your values is one of the most empowering things you can do for your business. It’s not about rejecting opportunities—it’s about choosing the right ones. If a project or client doesn’t align with your soul’s purpose, pass on it. This will open space for opportunities that truly match your vision.
3. Build an authentic support network: Surround yourself with people who see you for who you really are and who support your journey toward authentic success. Whether it’s through mentorship, coaching, or connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs, a strong network will help you stay grounded in your true motivations and give you the accountability you need to stay aligned.
4. Practice self-care: Internal validation is deeply tied to self-care. The more you take care of yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally—the more connected you’ll be to your true motivations. A business built on authenticity needs a CEO who is healthy, balanced, and in touch with their own needs.
5. Celebrate small wins: Success is not just about the big milestones—it’s about every small step you take toward aligning your business with your purpose. Celebrate these moments. They are just as important, if not more so, than the big achievements.

Paving the Way to Sustainable, Authentic Success

When you shift your focus from external approval to internal motivation, you’ll start building a business that feels fulfilling and sustainable. You’ll make decisions that align with your values, and as a result, your work will feel more authentic and impactful.

Authentic success is not about achieving more for the sake of recognition—it’s about staying true to who you are, and building a life and business that reflect that truth. When you follow your passion and make decisions that are rooted in your core values, success becomes an extension of who you are, not an external goal to chase.

Living authentically means showing up as yourself, not as someone else thinks you should be. When you approach your work from a place of love and excitement, you’ll find that success flows more easily. As I always say: “When you’re doing something from a place of love…you just love it, then you can show up consistently and keep giving your best.”

Take Action Today

Now it’s your turn to step away from external validation and move toward a more fulfilling path. Start by identifying one area in your life where you’ve been chasing someone else’s approval—and take one action to step away from it. Whether it’s saying “no” to a client that doesn’t align with your values or reframing your goals to reflect what you truly want, start making that shift today.

Success doesn’t come from chasing someone else’s dreams—it comes from creating your own. Embrace your inner CEO, tap into your internal motivation, and build a life and business that are aligned with your true purpose.