Validation is important for entrepreneurs.

“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” ~Louise L. Hay

You cannot pour from an empty cup.

As entrepreneurs we can find so much fulfillment in exploring our creativity.

By taking care of ourselves and not running on empty, we have space for more creativity, enthusiastic passion, and bright ideas.

There are many ways to fill your cup. Spend a few minutes in silent contemplation, allow yourself to be present in the moment. Thoughts rushing in? Note them and let them move on.

You might have a gorgeous sunrise filling your view, maybe it’s the ocean or just the quiet space in your room surrounded by things that are familiar. Reflect and enjoy the present moment.

I have been exploring methods for my morning routine and have yet to settle on one single way that works for me. I do know that when I pay attention to my morning in some form and set an intention or two, there is a better flow to my day.

Validation can fill your cup; validation from ourselves for our ideas and genuine validation from others.

Let’s look at the idea of validating yourself.

Contemplate what brings joy to your business? What do you love doing and do you allow this to take you away into a flow that you hardly notice that the hours have passed?

Consider every new thing that you try, design, write, read about and that it is moving you forward. You are adding to your knowledge bank and it is not wasted time.

Validation from others can help to ground and centre you.

When the monkey chatter goes on in your head and self-doubt bashes on the door, it can be soul-restoring to hear a few sentences of encouragement. Those can be from a friend who knows you well or even a business acquaintance.

Although validation from others with false praises does not move you forward. You need realistic words of truth. Facts to help you rethink what you are doubting. Knowing that you are understood and that your emotions and thoughts are accepted by others is powerful and validating!

Here are 10 ways to practice self validation:

1. Make a list of all your successes, progress, and effort.

2. Pick a small tangible goal that you can complete quickly.

3. Write an encouraging letter to yourself

4. Be present. Notice and accept your feelings.

5. Focus on your needs.

6. Treat yourself with kindness.

7. Say nice things to yourself.

8. Build trust with yourself through small tasks instead of overwhelming goals.

9. Repeat one affirmation

10. Create a self gratitude list. Note down things you’ve done well, the choices you’ve made that you’re proud of, the progress you’ve made, and even the things that required no action at all—for example, the time you gave yourself to simply be.

Having an open mindset allows you to explore, hold back on immediate judgement, recognize that there will always be change, that sometimes we can feel like we failed, but we can explore that and ask what can we learn.

Ask yourself: “What will make me feel better, more stable, healthier, and more balanced?”

That can be a quick walk to feel more energized, maybe take a nap to feel better rested, practice deep breathing to clear your head, or drink some water to hydrate yourself. Think of this as validating yourself in action.

Learning to self-validate is not easy. Notice that mindfulness and self-validation go hand in hand. Being mindful of the thoughts you are having and the feelings you are experiencing is necessary before you can validate that internal experience.

Practice and more practice will help you self-validate more easily.