Get Rid of That # Inferiority Complex

Inferiority Complex,as we all know, is a feeling of being inadequate or not up to the mark.It is responsible for a lot of anguish and dissatisfaction with life.It manifests itself in different persons in different ways.If one person lives out his life as an underachiever believing himself to be incapable of attaining lofty targets another may overcompensate by doing just that in order to prove his worth.A third may become asocial and reticent,while the fourth may resort to aggression;controlling others to establish his supremacy.It is only in the second case that it has a positive consequence but even there, a feeling of inferiority will continue to niggle that person.

The causes

An inferiority complex is often caused by early childhood experiences like being criticized,compared,bullied,or called names.Social discrimination on the basis of a handicap,physical weakness,caste,creed,color or socioeconomic status can also give rise to feelings of inferiority.

A new entrant in this litany of causative factors is the social media,with it's focus on beauty,attraction,perfection,achievement,success and wealth.Day in and day out we are bombarded with airbrushed images of celebrities and social idols which make many of us feel dowdy,plain losers.Updates of friends purportedly having storybook lifestyles also generate feelings of lagging behind.Then there is cyber bullying which can injure a person to the core.

The harmful effects

A feeling of inferiority can be very pernicious,it can vitiate every aspect of a person's life.

When a person feels he is not intelligent,competent or able enough, he evades difficult/challenging situations which could in fact,have augmented his confidence.

A person who has low self-worth behaves as if he is of no consequence and others too rate him accordingly, so that he is actually consigned to the lower rungs.

He is seen as an easy target by predators who may leach upon him to serve their own ends.

He is likely to attract others like himself,who will further intensify his complex and demoralize him with their doleful talks and behavior.

His self-limiting beliefs prevent him from asking for his dues, so that he does not get the rewards which are his right.This further disheartens him.

Inferiority complex causes unhappiness,we all know;but it can also engender mental disorders.

The cure

If any of the above rings a bell with you,take immediate steps to overcome your feelings of inferiority.It is not difficult to do so,only a genuine desire and concerted efforts are all that is needed.

Start by going to the origin of this complex.Who was it that repeatedly made you feel inferior?

Was it your parents?Perhaps they had no knowledge of good parenting or they had too much on their plates.People make mistakes.Do not take their pronouncements as golden truths.

If it is your teachers or peers who picked upon you, they were certainly not good specimens of humanity and their actions need to be derided,not accepted as being the offshoots of your inferiority.

If it is your socioeconomic background which makes you feel below par then take a look at the origins of our late ex-president Dr Abdul Kalam the missile man.A beginning is only a beginning-you can go anywhere from that.If he could do it so can you.

If some other handicap holds you back then there is only one way to banish it--rise above it by being proficient in whatever you do.

If you feel miserable because of your physique or physical features,a lot of improvement can be brought about by being tidy and well groomed.Your worth is tied up to your inner qualities.Just consider-do you cherish your loved ones because of their looks or their values?Appearances are not everything.Would you prefer to spend your time with a loving,considerate but plain looking friend or a smart,beautiful but callous one?

Before taking any further steps to overcome your feelings of inferiority pinpoint exactly what you think is missing in your personality.Is it good looks,wealth,social graces,status,intelligence or competence which you secretly yearn for but do not possess?Take up that one aspect which,if improved,will make you happier; and begin to work on it.There is always room for improvement.Even your intellectual abilities can be sharpened by playing brain games or doing meditation.

We usually focus upon one flaw and then enlarge it to cover the whole of our being,forgetting our assets.If you bemoan the absence of a particular quality,concentrate on your strong point and enhance it till everything else fades into oblivion.Maybe you are a good singer but not attractive to look at,but if you polish this talent nobody will even notice your looks, as is the case with Lata mangeshkar.

It is mainly your self-talk which determines your self esteem.Train your mind to warn you the moment you pass derogatory judgments about yourself and replace them with constructive,positive thoughts.

Another way of improving your self image is to associate with only those who understand,appreciate and care for you.Relinquish those who try to belittle you.

And lastly,sharpen your observational skills when you are in company.Notice how those whom you hold in high esteem also have weak points,they also falter.The only difference is that they are easygoing while you are on tenterhooks because of this fixation that you are inferior to others.

Stop comparing yourself to others.It is this which is the root cause of feelings of low self worth.There is not one of us who will not be found wanting in some quality or the other,if he were to compare himself with others.

Those who have a poor self image only notice others'good points and not their weaknesses;while they magnify their own drawbacks.These self limiting beliefs hinder our evolution and fulfill that prophecy of being inferior.No matter where you stand in social hierarchy,you have a definite place and unique gifts.Instead of lamenting about your drawbacks,do something about them and appreciate what God has blessed you with.

Related posts:--
http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2015/01/do-you-love-yourself.html

http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2013/12/raise-your-self-esteem-in-leven-easy.html

http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2013/01/self-esteem.html

http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2011/01/looking-roe-self-confidence.html

Images courtesy google.