Looking for Love
By Steve Gahagen
I enjoy watching the blind auditions on the reality TV show, The Voice. The judges sit on giant swivel chairs, their backs to the contestants while they sing. So, the judges can’t evaluate the contestants’ appearance. Only their singing has the power to turn the judges’ chairs around.
If a judge loves what they hear and wants to coach the contestant, they push a button and their chair spins around as a dramatic sign of approval. The entire process creates moments of anticipation for the audience and contestant. It becomes very tense and uncomfortable when a contestant performs and no one is turning around. As a spectator, you’re desperately hoping someone will turn around and not leave this person broken-hearted.
Most of us go through life like these contestants, performing blind auditions and waiting on someone to hit the button, auditioning our hearts for acceptance and approval. The panel of judges may vary from person to person, but our driving motivation is the same; we are trying to escape a prison of insecurity. And we hope these people will do something or say something that will get us out.
Knowing and being confident in our strengths our talents diminishes this need for approval. When we know who we are and can celebrate our strengths, not only are we less dependent on the approval of others, but also more likely to build up and breathe life into those around us.
Questions to Consider:
Have you ever had a moment like the contestants of The Voice, where you were dying for someone to give you their approval? Share it with others.
What are your strengths? How do you leverage them? How do they build your confidence?
Reach out to three people today to let them know how much you appreciate them and the talents they bring.