“The greater the feeling of inferiority that
has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge to conquest and the more
violent the emotional agitation.” – Alfred Adler
An inferiority complex is a state
whereby you persistently believe and feel that you are not able to measure up
to others. It is a sign of low self-esteem. The thought behind an inferiority
complex is “I am not good enough”.
At least 95% of people have at one
point or another encounter thoughts and feelings of inadequacy. However, you
are said to have an inferiority complex should you constantly compare yourself
with others. You see yourself as being in second place or falling short.
Consequently, you feel poorly about yourself.
Root Belief: I am Not Good Enough
Root Belief: I am Not Good Enough
Most of us are not always so confident
about ourselves. In fact, I will consider having a level of uncertainty a
s “normal”.
We can then be motivated to make a change or improve on the areas that we are weaker in. However, the call to make a change should really be something that goes on internally. This is opposed to zealous attempts to win due to the fear of losing out.
s “normal”.
We can then be motivated to make a change or improve on the areas that we are weaker in. However, the call to make a change should really be something that goes on internally. This is opposed to zealous attempts to win due to the fear of losing out.
There could also be situations
whereby we feel that we lack practice, are not as well prepared or not as
academically smart as someone else. Our self-doubt does not qualify as an
inferiority complex unless we have deep-rooted beliefs about not being good or
worthy enough. Where we are driven by our subconscious fears, we can undertake
actions or behavior that undermine our wellness.
Signs of Inferiority Complex
What is key is awareness. We shine
light into our shadows to dissipate the dark. What is important is to bring
awareness on what constitutes as signs of inadequacy.
1. Heightened Sensitivity to Other
People’s Opinions. Are you
highly sensitive to what others think and say about you? Do you immediately
feel small whenever there is a critical comment about you? Don’t feel confident
about yourself?
You often take it to heart what
others say. You crumble at the slightest remark about yourself. The alarm bells
inside your head go ringing, “You are not good enough”.
2. Social Withdrawal. You dislike being in a crowd because you cannot get rid of
the sneaking suspicion that you are not as good as others. You would rather not
have others find out the truth about how lousy or insecure you are. You hate
any forms of comparison, which could be inevitable if you belong to some kind
of a group. You prefer to be left on your own.
3. Fault Finding. You have a trained eye in picking up the faults or
imperfections about others. Since you do not already feel good about yourself,
you may as well cause others to feel poorly too. Thus, no one in your mind can
be superior. In other words, you need to make others feel small so that you can
look bigger.
4. Place Own Needs Last. Having an inferiority complex can cause you to put your own
needs last. You try to brush them aside. However, you are really wallowing in
feelings of unworthiness. Over a long time, you start to accumulate anger.
5. Crave For Flattery. Compliments make you glow with pride. However, when you
have an inferiority complex, you are dependent on flattery. You go all out to
be nice to everyone, so that you can receive validation. Validation makes you
feel good about yourself. Your ego gets hugely inflated.
6. Performance Anxiety. You just hate competition. You don’t like to lose. Losing
makes you feel like a failure. You find it hard to get over being second place.
Every time you need to perform, you sweat profusely.
7. Procrastination. You cannot seem to get motivated. There is a reason why you
are not able to get off the couch. The root belief is that no matter how much
you try, you are never going to be good enough. And so you are feeling very
unmotivated to get going.
Inferiority Complex: A Case of Perception
Inferiority Complex: A Case of Perception
Mostly, inferiority complex arises
from your perception; rather than what is actually the case. You draw
conclusions based on your evaluation of experiences. Very often enough, these
evaluations are not facts and likely to be distorted.
Self-doubt plagues you when you have
an inferiority complex. Misery sets in. You are likely to undertake
compensating behavior so that you can psychologically make up for the
difference. Taken to the extreme, an inferiority complex can drive anyone to
depression, isolation and suicide.
Fortunately, it is possible to
overcome inferiority complex sufficiently to experience greater freedom,
happiness and peace. We begin by becoming aware of the belief that is behind
our emotional disruptions and outward behavior. We let go of the thought of
“not being good enough” to knowing ourselves as being enough.
Courtesy: http://www.abundancetapestry.com