Validation is overrated

If you're waiting for a boss or an editor or a college to tell you that you do good work, you're handing over too much power to someone who doesn't care nearly as much as you do. We spend a lot of time organizing and then waiting for the system to pick us, approve of us and give us permission to do our work.

But there's a difference between achieving your goals and realizing your work matters. If you have a book to write, write it. If you want to record an album, record it. No need to wait for someone in a cubicle halfway across the country to decide if you're worthy.