Savvy Psychologist How to know you did a good job (without asking for approval)
Jan 21, 2026
In a world driven by likes and reviews, discerning your own success can be tricky. The host reveals how external approval can distort self-worth and explores when it helps or hinders. Listeners learn three empowering questions to define success on their own terms. Emphasizing intention, values, and the joy of the process, the discussion encourages embracing personal fulfillment over seeking validation. It's a refreshing take on measuring achievement in a comparison-fueled culture.
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Approval Alone Doesn't Settle Worth
- Our culture's review-driven feedback makes us default to asking, 'Did people like it?'.
- Ellen Hendrickson warns this external focus can tie performance to self-worth and never settle our value.
Judge Work By Your Intention
- Ask, 'Did I fulfill my intention?' to judge success when quality is subjective.
- Measure success by whether you stayed true to your purpose rather than by broad appeal.
Mom Mixes Up Sports Bags
- Nora, a busy mom of four, mixed up her children's sports bags and felt mortified.
- Ellen Hendrickson shows that Nora still acted according to her values and was being the parent she wanted to be.