The pursuit of external validation can be a powerful catalyst, as social creatures, approval and affirmation help us feel connected and important. It can push you past what you think is possible and toward heights you wouldn't have aimed for otherwise. Personally, the need for external validation has pushed me to try things I wouldn't have originally attempted, opening up new pathways and experiences along the way.
The flip side comes into play when you hit a wall, questioning why motivation has dried up and then realising the "why am I doing this?" question isn't answered so easily.
The environment matters too. Chasing the validation of your peers can take you down different paths, and sometimes you won't be conscious of it until you're already halfway down the track. I noticed this distinctly when comparing my time after moving cities, the goals of the people around me slowly worked their way into my own thinking, and as those connections strengthened, my goals and actions shifted with them.
My takeaway: lean into chasing external validation if it's pointing you toward something you genuinely want to explore. But stop every now and then and ask what's actually driving you and what you plan to do when you get there.