Inadequacy

Are we enough to accomplish everything we want to? Let’s dive in, shall we?

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
― Sharon Salzberg

No, the picture above doesn’t depict my feelings about myself!

Very recently, I attended a session wherein speakers came and talked on various topics. There were topics related to diverse fields, including, but not limited to, confidence, technology and psychology. However, the highlight for me was something completely different. The speaker was very humorous throughout his speech. He cracked jokes and was very captivating and engaging. But as he brought his talk to a close, he delivered a message that struck a cord with me, so much so that I haven’t been able to get this concept out of my mind. So I thought, the best way to do so will be to write about it and share it with all of my beloved readers.

Before I unveil the topic, let’s answer a question together. How many of us have had the feeling that if we undertake our goals, we’d be unsuccessful because we are not good enough? I’d like to draw some attention towards a little fact. This question fades away as soon as someone else does so. Why? Because it’s okay if we’re demeaned in our own perception, but as soon as someone else tells us we’re not good enough, we become The Underdogs that I talked about in detail in my article of the same name. However, that’s food for another one of our conversations, so let’s stick to our original conversation.

The source of this sense of inadequacy often stems from comparison. The moment we compare ourselves to these high standards, these epitomes that exist in every single field. Segue into another question, how do these epitomes feel? Are they just as insecure as we are? And, are they perfect, unlike us? I assume not. I believe they have their doubts, but they never let these doubts overpower their ambitious states of minds. They accept themselves with all their imperfections, and tend to continue on their continuous journey to the top.

We tend to underestimate ourselves because we can analyze everything that can go wrong. The reason for this is we think that we are fully aware of all our capabilities, and all the circumstances that surround the endeavor we are embarking upon. However, what we are not aware of is we are not the best judge for our own abilities. (If it was so, we’d be evaluating our own exams, but we aren’t, are we?). We happen to be our own worst critics. Oh and also, spoiler alert, We don’t know everything! As much as we think that we do, even in the field of our expertise, we don’t. So, let’s try this. Let’s try to deal with this sense of inadequacy by accepting ourselves the way we are. I mean, what do we have to lose?

One thing I’d like to mention here. This in no way should be interpreted in a manner where I am saying all of us are perfect. Well, I’m kind of saying that, with a little addendum. All of us are all perfect, the way we are. 

By now, it must be pretty evident that I am a big fan of being grateful for what we have. I like to make it abundantly clear, mostly to myself that whatever I have is more than that is required for me to accomplish my goals, and I intend to convey this message to anyone who’d listen to me. We are supposed to be thankful for everything, the materialistic things, the opportunities, the lives we have. However, in the immortal words of Rag’n’Bone Man, “I’m only human, after all”. Personally, I sometimes forget that we are not only supposed to be grateful for what we have, but we are also supposed to be grateful for what we are!

So, let’s make a conscious effort together, to accept ourselves the way we are, while capitalizing  on every single opportunity to better ourselves.

Thanks a lot for your time and effort to read the whole thing. If you like it, please share it with someone who you think might benefit from reading this. Also, please let me know of any topic you’d like me to write about in the comments section. Until next time, stay awesome and stay happy. 🙂