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I tell my dog that he's a good boy about a million times a day. I think it makes him happier. But like my dog, whom I'm convinced is just a person in a fur suit, when real people still require that level of constant approval, they too might as well be domesticated house pets stuck on a short leash. The need for positive feedback, what I call "Good Dog Syndrome", can drastically hold us back from ever making any real progress.

So why does everyone, especially Generation Y, constantly seek approval from others about our work? Someone's verbal approval isn't a real indication or gauge of our current and future success. Okay, maybe it's a nice perk of a good work environment, offering a sense of belonging and support. However, I'm afraid this desire has become an addiction for our generation. Some of us feel lost when we don’t hear someone say "good job" -- exclusively relying on others to evaluate our own performance. That’s ridiculous. It’s like we’re looking for a grade from teacher, forgetting how arbitrary we thought grades were when we were in school. All you need to judge your work is to know you're doing your best. Because, if you're anything like me, it's a challenge just to fulfill you own standards. When you're only seeking others approval, you may stop short of your best, satisfying only what they arbitrarily thought warranted a "good job." It’s your responsibility to get the best out of yourself. So stop putting others’ standards before your own.

In breaking out on my own as a freelancer and entrepreneur, I first had trouble without the constant "good job" that I used to hear at work, and feared I wasn't doing a good job when I certainly was. But lacking feedback wasn't the true problem. It was the NEED for the feedback that was the real problem. The NEED was robbing me of my motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and independence.

Ultimately, Good Dog Syndrome will kill your success, because in its absence you will convince yourself that you're not doing well enough. You may even ask "Am I cut out for this?" It can even make you miss your previous lame job. But why would you sacrifice your dreams for an emotional band-aid? Instead you need the more substantial, long-lasting cure.

What is the cure for Good Dog Syndrome? It's easy: just relax. Stop judging yourself. Believe that your best is not just 'good enough', it's seriously great. Put an end to that need for approval, and you will break free from the bounds of Good Dog Syndrome. You will feel more confident in your work, and value the daily progress you make. Because you have every reason to be proud of yourself when you truly try your best. My guess is you’re your progress will be better than you expected, and definitely better than if you were just seeking a pat on the back.

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