V is for Validation

Validate: to recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of. Every one of us seeks validation on some level. When we are not validated by others, we have to look at whether or not we validate ourselves. Often self-validation is the key to wider, true  endorsement.

Have you ever brought up what you thought was a brilliant solution to a problem, only to have it met with puckered mouths and rolled eyes? This lack of endorsement is common. How much of it is a result of a lack of self-validation?

Verify

The foundation of validation is verification. This is the concept of establishing your idea. Start by checking some of the facts.

  • Is the idea sound?
  • Does it solve a known problem?
  • Is it based on fact?
  • What are the shortcomings?
  • What is the chance of failure?
  • Are you endorsing the idea strictly because it is yours?

The first three are key to knowing whether or not your idea is a waste of time. The last three require looking at the idea from an objective standpoint.

Be careful when assessing the shortcomings and chance of failure of an idea. The shortcomings are not only the ways the idea could use improvement but also the consequences to others which may not be 100% favorable.

Legitimately determine if the idea has enough merit to succeed. This is difficult for a number of reasons, including seeking endorsement. Rarely is a good idea only embraced by its creator; however, just because others do not endorse your idea does not mean it is bad.

Sometimes, you need to be pitching your idea to a different audience to get it the recognition of validation.

Varied

Individuality may stand in the way of your idea. Since we are all unique, our reactions to ideas vary from person to person. Before pitching the idea to anyone else, try taking it for a test drive.

We can presume you already did that in the testing phase (verification) of your idea, but this time, drive on the wrong side of the road. You have the idea worked out in your head, so it works. (For writers, this is being too close to your story.) Changing your perspective may show you ways to improve your idea.

Occasionally, your idea looks just the same when you look at it another way. That is validation.

Vouch?

If you have been through verification and the only reason you are supporting the idea is because you had it, the likelihood of maintaining your own validation is slim. Why? You cannot vouch for yourself to yourself. You know you better than that.

Now, if your verification showed some promise, you can vouch for yourself to others.

  • Remember when I figured out the last one?
  • I am the voice of experience in this area.
  • I would not have brought it up if I had not already tried it.

By supplying valid reasons why your idea has merit is the best scenario, but floating something new on your reputation can get others to validate it. Vouching illustrates the validity of your idea.

Void

Every once in a while, a good idea disintegrates into a bad idea. Any validation of the idea expires. (Go back to example of Copernicus.) Separating yourself from the idea is important. Just because your idea is not valid does not mean you are not worthy or legitimate.

Like parking stubs, some validations need to expire. Our character, belief systems and perspectives change over time. Some of our ideas need to become void. Experience and maturity invalidate many of the ideas of our youth. Outgrowing an idea does not negate self-validation.

It is still perfectly reasonable to say,

…even when the idea is yours. Better to invalidate an idea than to hold onto it after it is void.

Verge

Fence-sitting is for the birds. Rather than stand on the verge of validation, verify and vote. Not every idea you have is going to be worthy of validation. Since it is not a reflection of your character, feel free to make a choice. Validate and promote it. Invalidate it and move on. Invalidation is an exercise in remembering the lesson and forgetting the hurt.

Valve

Once you have decided which side of the fence is for you and validated your idea, get behind it full force. This does not, however, mean invalidating everything which comes in its opposition. Often, the best improvements come from those who say,


Validation begins with you. Verify, vote and turn the valve.

Do you have a method for validating your ideas before you vet them to others? What is the best kind of validation? Which is more important: validation of others or self-validation?

If you tweet or +1 this post, please use the hashtag #AtoZChallenge!

© Red Dwyer 2012
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41 Comments

  1. You sure managed to pack a lot of V into that lesson! I’m trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month. My alphabet is at myqualityday.blogspot.com
    sharkbytes recently posted..V is for Vesper SparrowMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  April 26, 2012

      All of them were alphabetically themed from the title down! Glad to meet you. Hope to see you again after it is over!

      Reply
  2. Validation is wonderful but if it’s just being NICE what is the point? I believe we have to be willing to put outselves out there to keep trying no matter what.

    Good points and a lotta Vs.

    Reply
    • Red

       /  April 26, 2012

      If it is just being nice, it is excruciating endorsement…which is utterly worthless. Being able to move on it the important thing. Whether the idea is good or bad, validated only by you or by others, you must keep moving forward.

      Good to see you today, Tess.

      When you comment, click in the boxes to get your email and website to pull up so you get CommentLuv…Plenty of readers will follow you to your place when you do 😉

      Reply
  3. You know I may have mentioned this in a comment at some point I am not sure but in my way of thinking it does not matter who’s idea is the best one, it is only important to find the correct solution and move forwards.

    Of course I know that this posting covers a wide range of thoughts and validation, as in the ‘Like’ options on our posts, it gives a signal that one is heading in the right direction but I figure that we can establish this for ourselves if we are level headed and not swayed by other peoples thoughts on a given subject, whether it is a story, a poem, or something entirely different we can still learn from someone else’s view.

    Another fine offering this one Red and thank you for adding such a wide variety of subjects, you always have something very interesting to read on your Space and it shows by all of these fine comments that are offered 🙂 🙂

    Androgoth XXx

    Reply
    • Red

       /  April 26, 2012

      You have. You and SIG talked about it on Endorsement. I have run across a group of WP users (who I will refrain from calling snobs), who believe one should not hit the like button unless you are willing to reblog. These members are the same group who think nothing but their own work deserves five stars. I am so very glad they are not interested in my work. They have deemed it all too niche, too technical, too long and thoroughly incomprehensible.

      I nominate them all to the Friday Follies Alumni Club. 🙂

      Reply
      • Too thinkingly?
        Binky recently posted..Genealogy and The Study of GeniesMy Profile

        Reply
        • Red

           /  April 26, 2012

          More than likely. Overthinking is always a bad idea. Must have been invented by the government.

          Reply
      • If I like something that I read or view then I always click on the ‘Like’ and the ‘Star Rating’ if present and add a true thought on what I have seen but in doing so I do not wish anything for myself, indeed I am pleased if someone comments on my Space, whether or not a posting is liked or disliked is really of no consequence to me personally as not everyone will like what I have to write about. But I do like to read all the comments and reply to them as this is part of the whole excitement of posting.

        Actually, you won’t believe it but I have had e mails suggesting that I tone my Space down and not add so much horror and bloody gore, don’t they realise that my Space is based upon that very same theme? And the irony of that is, that I never add the gory scripts that I write, and the one’s that I do add are all extremely tame.

        Stupidity is a virtue for
        some it would seem? 🙂 lol

        Have fun tonight Red 🙂 😉

        Androgoth XXx

        Reply
        • Red

           /  April 27, 2012

          I would definitely believe it. You read some of the email I get…I believe it. How much easier is it just to hit the back button and stop reading? I think it would be cool if you dedicated one day a week to the truly gory. Why not add some of them? Help people to put it into perspective.

          Just like my poetry…what is the worst that can happen? Worth a ponder, Andro.

          Reply
  4. “VALIDATION ”
    I JUST CRIED ALL OVER MY KEYBOARD ….
    I WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS / ISSUE A FEW YEARS AGO …… IT WAS DIFFICULT BUT OH SO WORTHWHILE …… I REALLY LEARNED WHOM I WAS –
    ALL VEILS CAME OFF
    AND I COULD JUST BE !

    THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL REMINDER …..
    ALL LOVE XOXOXOXOXOXOOXXO
    CAT
    Cat Forsley recently posted..“Perspective ..” She Said by Cat Forsley ©My Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  April 30, 2012

      There is a lot of discovering who we are which can be painful because we want to believe we are who we project to others. Once we find out it is perfectly okay to be the person inside our own skin, we are always so much happier for it! I hate it was painful for you, but so glad you are happy with the result! {HUGZ} Red. xxx

      Reply
      • THANK YOU BEAUTY ……..
        I FEEL SO LUCKY AND BLESSED TO HAVE MADE IT THROUGH …..
        AND TO ACTUALLY THANK THAT PERIOD OF TIME IN MY LIFE …….
        YOU KNOW ?
        BECAUSE IT SUMS IT ALL UP
        TO WHERE WE ARE IN THE NOW
        WHICH IS THE ONLY TIME I CAN LIVE IN

        I HOPE DAILY THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME
        AND THAT I CAN MAKE A TINY DIFFERENCE IN OUR WORLD ……..
        TINY – LIKE A SPECK …….YOU KNOW ?
        I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN …..
        WITH LOVE AND INSIGHT
        XX
        CAT
        Cat Forsley recently posted..“Perspective ..” She Said by Cat Forsley ©My Profile

        Reply
        • Red

           /  April 30, 2012

          I absolutely know…one more pearl to be born. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Perhaps, I will see you after your name for tonight’s muse 😉 xxx

          Reply
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