15 Things To Remember When You Feel Inadequate

Here are a few things to remember that will stop you from being mean to yourself when you feel inadequate.

When was the last time you wanted to do something but hesitated once you heard the loud inner voice that said:

Are you crazy? You can’t do that!

We all face it.

Doubt can yell and scream, but that doesn’t make it accurate or right.

To live a forward-thinking and positive life, we must continuously stretch ourselves, which is much easier said than done.

Things to remember when your confidence is low

1. You Have to Start Somewhere

To be good at anything, you have to start as a beginner.

It’s inevitable, so embrace the excitement of a new adventure!

2. Everyone Thinks They Aren’t Good Enough

What I like to refer to as Amateur Syndrome, everyone feels they know less and aren’t as good as those around them.

It’s not just you.

It’s a more level playing field than you thought!

3. Good Enough For Whom?

Whose standards are you holding yourself to, and do they matter personally?

Professionally?

Walt Disney himself was fired from a newspaper job because his editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”

Maybe he wasn’t “good enough” for this person or this particular job, but he certainly was good enough by other standards!

4. Someone Looks Up to You

You may feel you aren’t as good as a colleague, a friend, or a mentor, but someone else thinks they aren’t as good as you.

No matter who you aim to emulate, someone will emulate you, as they should!

5. If You Were Perfect, You’d Be Bored

In school, kids who are disruptive are often just bored.

They know the material, so they need something else to do.

If you were good and confident in everything you do, you’d be searching for something else.

How boring!

You Might Also Like: How Focusing on Small Things Can Make a Big Difference in Your Life

Things to remember when faced with challenges

6. Challenges Make You Thrive

I don’t know about you, but I feel alive on all fronts when I work toward a challenging goal!

Whether training for a race, learning more about marketing and running my business or trying something new (just signed up for a tap dance class!), I know I’m empowering myself to be my best and it feels great!

7. You Are Your Harshest Critic

If a friend told you they did or tried the things you are, would you tell them it’s not enough?

Of course not!

Give yourself a break and recognize your efforts.

8. There is Always an Area You Excel

You can’t be good at everything, but you are great at something.

When you feel down about not measuring up in one aspect of your life, think about one thing – no matter how small – that you excel at.

9. All Successful People Have Failures

Oprah Winfrey was publicly fired from her first anchor job.

She didn’t start out as the Oprah we know today, but she didn’t let that stop her.

10. It’s Never Too Late To Learn Something New

A report from the American Institute of Economic Research showed that 82 percent of respondents made a successful career change past age 45.

I have met runners who are winning races after picking up the sport past age 40.

These are just a few examples of how you can commit to being a newbie and not good at anything at any point in life and find success and happiness.

More things to remember when you doubt yourself

11. Think of How Far You’ve Come

Returning to our first point—you have to start somewhere—think of where you started when you get discouraged about where you aren’t.

When a client is down because they indulged in dessert over the weekend, we discuss how they did not have any treats during the week as they did a month ago.

It’s all about progress, not perfection!

12. Is It Worth The Worry?

Fretting over not being good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or anything enough will not make you better.

It’s a waste of energy, so focus on the positive things about you and view the aspects of your life you would like to improve as something to actively work towards.

13. Trying and Failing is OK

It may be cliche, but failing truly proves you are trying.

Learn something from each failure and use it to propel you forward instead of dwelling on how things didn’t work out.

If you do everything right the first time, you will not have any breakthroughs.

14. Be Where You Are

Sounds a little Zen, but when you enjoy where you are instead of focusing on where you want to be, you’ll enjoy life much more.

Life is actually a journey and not a destination, so look around and take in all that’s happening in the moment before it changes.

15. You Are The Only You – No One Can Be Better

We rarely feel good enough when we compare ourselves to others, but you don’t compare an apple to an orange.

Welcome the things—good and not so good—that make you… well, you, and realize that no one can do that better!

What other things to remember would you add?

If you feel you’re not good enough, remind yourself of these 15 things, and you’ll likely feel much more confident.

You might also find this article helpful: Stop Feeling Inadequate With Where You Are in Life.

Do you have any other tips to help us stretch ourselves?

What other things to remember would you add to the list?

Feel free to share with us in the comment section below.