Validate yourself.

When people don’t believe in you believe in your damn self. If you are looking for validation from people S T O P. They don’t really care and I’m not being cynica, just a reality, some may, but it’s not enough to sustain you. Everyone has enough going on personally and professionally.

If you live for people to validate you, you’ll be waiting for a while. There are people in life who’ll never understand your value- So what, Be great anyway. There will be people who look down at you-So what- Look up! There will be people who don’t understand you-So what.

We all get to a point or you will where you say this is me take it or leave it, I do not need validation from anyone, ofcourse human nature appreciates those who do see your value but it should be secondary.

I’ve always been a bit of a rebel and done what I wanted and always tried to be authentically me (I sound like a whole Foods advert now) I am here to please Allah Subhan wa tala and that is where my validation as a Muslim comes from, we can start a debate on religion another day but this is partly where I get my validation too.

If you don’t believe in yourself, I suggest you get back to basics and pen 20 great things about you ( harder than it seems, but do it).

Finally, just be great for you. Whatever people say that’s great about you set your benchmark higher. If people say your kind, be kinder, generous, give more and so on.

There’s a Hadith (Islamic source) I always refer to and someone showed this to me when my confidence was low.

“ Self-confidence also emanates from knowing that Allah in His infinite mercy has equipped you with all that you require to undertake the tasks set before you. It is not characteristic of the One that is Most Just and Most Merciful to prepare you for a duel without equipping you with the necessary tools. ”

My reflections are always a reminder to myself and then others.