6 Tips! Say Goodbye to Inferiority

Feelings of Inferiority

Inferiority is a negative sense of self-evaluation and self-consciousness. All of us have feelings of inferiority at one time or another.

Alfred Adler, the master psychoanalyst of the ego, believed that each of us experiences some inferiority at certain levels, because we all find ourselves in a position whereby we wish to improve. One cannot withstand a severe bout of inferiority over the long term. If we have to constantly bear with the thought of being somehow substandard in life, over time, it can become a strong negative undercurrent impacting our mental health. Under such circumstances, this inferiority feeling may develop into a constant state called an “inferiority complex.”

How to prevent a complex and transcend feelings of inferiority？

1. Be cautious of negative expressions

Do you often use negative self-descriptive expressions such as, “That’s just how I am, I guess I was born this way, I cannot do this, I am hopeless, and I will definitely fail?” If you constantly use such expressions, it can only deepen your feelings of inferiority. Try to change these expressions towards the positive, such as saying to yourself, “I can do this, I will try, it will work this time.” Try to continually remind yourself of these positive reinforcement sayings, or write them down on a post-it note and stick them next to your bedside table or your work desk.

2. Compensate your weaknesses with other aspects of yourself

Everyone has some skills in some areas, and not as many in others. Our society has various needs. One can often find ways to develop in areas of strength. As long as you have a positive outlook, you can learn to play upon your strengths and avoid weaknesses, turning those weaknesses into challenges you are motivated to overcome when you are in a good position. When this happens, your weaknesses no longer impede you, but rather, they will be steppingstones to your success. As your positive motivation drives you forward, you will further focus on self-development, transcend your weaknesses and achieve greatness.

3. Use action to prove your ability and value

To see if a person has value or not, one need not do any deep thinking nor ask others. If someone needs you, you have value. If you can do things, you have value. Therefore, try to accomplish something that is meaningful, starting with the thing you feel most confident doing. After having accomplished it, move on to the next goal. This way, every success will strengthen your self-confidence, while weakening your sense of inferiority. A series of successes will do much to build up your self-confidence.

4. Seek a comprehensive understanding and correct evaluation of yourself

Try carefully listing out all your interests, hobbies, skills, and areas of expertise, even if they are small or very subtle. If you do this in earnest, you will find you have many merits. By really examining your list, you can gain a rational and objective attitude of your own weakness and strengths, understanding that where you have failed in the past may not be your best areas. In this way, you are neither deceiving yourself, nor being overly critical, but can carry a positive attitude forward in a realistic way. Inferiority needs no longer be a constant, but a feeling you can look at objectively.

5. Establish a successful self-image through memories of past success

When doubtful of abilities and troubled by feelings of being inferior, one might as well draw upon and learn from past successes to nourish your faith in the future. Do not take time to dwell on memories of past failures. Instead, remove images of failure from your mind, thinking of them as unfriendly visitors. Failure should not be your main focus, but only thought of as an occasional visitor that slyly creeps into your mind when you are not concentrating. Try to emphasize your successes to yourself more often. Several successes in a row can build an image of a successful person to yourself and others, helping you be more decisive, more motivated, and ultimately more successful in life.

6. Divert your attention from the negative

Do not always focus on your weaknesses and failures, but try to always positively steer towards the things in which you are most interested, and at which you are most skilled. You will have fun while gaining a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence, chasing away the shadows of inferiority, easing your mental stress and blowing away tension.