The power of others' belief in you
It’s impossible to measure the importance of someone who can see the potential in you. We may not always get the amount of it we feel we need or understand the form it takes from those closest to you.
As social animals, acceptance from others was one of the most important means of survival in a group. We had to all individually and collectively take on roles, such as hunting, gathering and taking care of children, elders or sick and injured, in order for the group to thrive.
We are far from this ancestral necessity, but we still have this need to fit into the roles that society has shown us is the way to be accepted. Whether that is by pursuing a societal prestigious career, like medicine or law, becoming a well-recognised figure, like an actor or politician, or building something that never existed before, like an investor or entrepreneur.
This power of other’s beliefs, whether parents, friends, role-models or colleagues can impact the view of yourself and what you can achieve. Part of the reason why we seek the approval of others is that we believe more in others’ capacities to judge our lives is better than that of our own. This is often contrary to how society works today. Of course, we all need to have roles to fulfil, but it is much more diffuse now than when we lived in small gatherings. We recognise, celebrate and approve of the individuals who have re-defined themselves within society through their belief first in themselves to do this.
The more you develop the resilience in that belief in yourself to achieve the impossible, live the type of lifestyle you want and defy the odds, before you know it that belief will lead you to the best version of your success.