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Monday, April 6, 2009

Feeling Inadequate

Don’t be too harsh with yourself. While you are aren’t perfect, you aren’t horrible, either. You’re actually a lot more capable than you think.

Self-image is a difficult area for most. You probably started of life with some glaring inaccuracies—things your parents said(whether they meant these to be taken to heart or not), things you heard from unkind classmates or those things you decided about yourself based on a small child’s limited reality.

You were a kid and you didn’t see yourself or the world fully.

Individuals frequently believe things about themselves that are just untrue. Finding objectivity when you’re looking at yourself can be very challenging. You may have very truthful, very honest people telling you good things about yourself and you will tell yourself they’re just being nice.

Raising self-esteem requires you to do your best to shake up and re-examine your beliefs about yourself. It also requires you to take action. You need to walk toward your conflicts and challenges and prove to yourself that you are adequate and capable by handling these. You can do this. Yes, you goof up sometimes. You won’t always handle things the way you later wish you had, but you won’t mess up every time. When you do make mistakes, these usually aren't as horrible as you’ve feared.

It’s hugely important to note your successes. Sometimes you are right, you do well, you make the right choice. Don’t miss the moments you make the best decision. Sometimes, you do the right thing, you see the potential mistakes in judgment before you jump. Every now and then, you make a home run.

Don’t miss it. Don’t dismiss it.

Yes, you’ll also make mistakes, too. Screwing up is part of the process of living. Everyone blows it sometimes. This is unavoidable and simply a part of moving through life. Don’t expect yourself to be perfect. Mistakes will be made; the real challenge is to learn from them. A poor choice or series of choices that lead you to learn isn’t a waste, at all.

Failure is in not risking, not believing in yourself enough to take the plunge. Believe in yourself, even when it’s hard. Even when you’ve messed up before. You aren’t nearly as inadequate as you think.