I Feel Inferior

Take a few minutes to examine your life.

Is there a constant echo of the statement ‘I feel inferior?’

The aim of this post is to shed some light in the dark areas of your life and offer suggestions on overcoming inferiority complex.

The founder of Individual Psychology, Alfred Adler describes inferiority complex as a feeling of low self worth. It is associated mainly with insecure feelings, discouragement, low self esteem, envy……..

There are several causes of inferiority complex such as:

• Feelings of Rejection
• Physical Appearance
• Physical or Mental Limitations
• Parental Attitude or Behavior in your upbringing
• Unnecessary comparisons with the achievements of others
• Self Pity.
• Low Self Confidence/Self Esteem.
• Failure
• Social disadvantages and discrimination.

The list is endless, but it would be helpful to sit down for a moment, think deeply of circumstances, events and people that unconsciously bring about your feelings of inferiority complex.

From personal experience, I’ve discovered once you deal with issues revolving around your inferiority complex, you can manage your goals, dreams and aspirations properly. There are also times you become motivated to achieve realistic and reasonable goals as a result of certain issues giving rise to the complex.

Once again, take a few minutes to examine your life and then look at possible ways of overcoming inferiority complex.

Here are a few practical suggestions:

Be Yourself

You are unique in your own way. You have a distinct identity. You are born, brought up and conditioned differently. Spend some time increasing your level of self awareness and identifying your qualities. Discover who you are, what you are passionate about, your skill sets, strengths, tolerance levels etc.

Celebrate Your Achievements

The path to success is filled with various obstacles in its way. It wasn’t easy getting to the point where you are and it took a lot of determination, strength, faithfulness, hard work,…………(find more examples) to get to this stage in your life. Celebrate your achievements and enjoy each precious moment.

According to a research people with inferiority complex tend to pay little or no attention to their success, achievements or strengths. They also find it slightly difficult to accept worthy praises for a job well done or any form of accomplishments because the focus is on what other people are doing(achieving) and finding reasons or questioning themselves for not attaining a particular level of success.(Please note: This is different from being inspired by the success of others).

Put A Stop To Negative Assumptions

Put a stop to negative assumptions. Stop imagining people’s intentions such as laughing at or mocking you. Even if they do so, be proud and raise your head high up because THEY JUST DON’T GET IT. They don’t get who you are, where you are coming from, and the hurdles you’ve crossed to get to your destination. Stop assuming things will always take the turn for the worst, when it comes to you.

Develop the habit of positive affirmations and build a healthy mind.

Develop Yourself

Don’t stop learning. Be informed or updated about various events, things…….. happening around you. Take time to develop your aptitude. Go on a self improvement exercise. If you need to increase your level of education, do so!!!

Whatever it is, MAKE SURE YOU SHOW SOME DEVELOPMENT.

Confront Your Fears

Learn to confront your fears and take risks using your common sense.

Network with friends/family/colleagues

Collaborating with other people helps in achieving your desired goal. Positive networks help to establish, motivate and strengthen you as an individual. Associate with people who are ready to encourage you when you need it, speak the truth, drag you away when erring and finally provide support for you all the way.

AVOID PEOPLE WHO DELIBERATELY BELITTLE/DEGRADE YOU EACH TIME THEY SET THEIR EYES ON YOU. They are not worth the trouble.

Develop Self Confidence

Developing confidence in whom and what you are, is essential to overcoming inferiority complex.

Handle constructive criticism

Learn to accept constructive criticism and feedback positively. It forms a learning curve, aids your self improvement and chances are you could be driven to success in various fields.

Manage Your Failures.

Accept the school of thought that failure is a phase everyone must go through. See them as golden opportunities to rewrite the scripts of success.

Finally;

Become Focused And Take Action

I mentioned earlier; inferiority complex could serve as a tool for creating realistic/reasonable goals.

In working towards your goal you need to be focused and take certain steps.

Here are a few tips:

• It’s very important your goal is realistic and achievable within a certain time frames.
• Curb your distractions.
• Have a plan
• Think carefully.
• Learn to be accountable and act responsibly.
• Avoid procrastinating
• Be determined.
• Show consistency in what you do.
• Manage your time properly

The final word: YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH UNIQUE QUALITIES AND ABILITIES.

Are you still consumed with the feelings of  inferiority complex, read this again?

I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Ayo Olaniyan is a certified Unitive Life Coach, an Accredited Professional Counsellor with the Counselling Society and the editor of The Life Skills Magazine. For further information, please complete this form.

Tagged as: inferior, inferiority complex