In many cases, yes. A lot of the goals we set—whether it’s buying a bigger house, getting a promotion, or achieving social status—are tied to wanting approval or admiration from others. If we knew people loved us unconditionally, we might not feel the need to constantly “prove” ourselves. When you stop caring so much about what others think, you start working hard for yourself—because it brings you fulfillment and aligns with your personal values, not because you want to impress others.