People may have different definitions than I do, but in my own personal opinion and based on what selling out is to me… I think everyone has sold out at one time or another in their lifetime.
To me it means doing something other than what your gut feeling/voice in your head tells you to do. Doing something that just, for whatever unexplainable reason… Doesn’t make you feel right.
That said, I’ve done it before and I will probably – unfortunately – do it again. However, as I age, I’m getting much, much better at listening to that little voice.
I guess how I prevent it is to block out external influence as much as I possibly can. I give up logic and trying to analyze, and just let the deepest part of myself feel it out for me. Listening to that part of myself has never done me harm, only good.