Education & Career Trends: May 29, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
- Excerpts are taken from an article published on psychologytoday.com. Adapted from an article published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute.
Have you ever struggled to feel good about yourself? Do you wonder if you are good enough? Do you question whether you are competent enough? You may be dealing with feelings of inadequacy.
Understanding Feelings of Inadequacy
Feelings of inadequacy arise when we feel we are not enough or not good enough. These feelings generally have little to do with our actual performance or abilities and more to do with low self-esteem or low self-confidence. This sense of being “less than” or “inferior to” others can lead to either withdrawal or aggression, depending on our coping styles.
People who feel inadequate may also experience:
- Withdrawal, shyness, or quietness
- Insecurity
- Negativity
- Unhappiness
- Anger or hostility
- Low motivation (Guindon, 2002)
It’s important to remember that everyone experiences these emotions to some extent; some just feel more inadequate than others.
How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy
If you’re feeling inadequate in general or about something specific, research shows that several strategies can help you feel better:
1. Modify Your Expectations and Ideals
If you constantly fall short of your expectations, it may be due to unrealistic goals. Adjusting your expectations to what is reasonable can help alleviate feelings of inadequacy.
2. Seek Help from Others
Reach out for help with tasks you struggle with. If someone can teach you what you need to know, asking for assistance can be beneficial.
3. Build Skills and Expertise
Take time to build your skills in areas where you feel inadequate. Over time, you’ll feel more competent and capable. Remember, no one is good at everything immediately.
4. Cultivate Emotion Regulation Skills
We often feel most inadequate in difficult situations (Lindqvist, Weurlander, Wernerson, & Thornberg, 2017). Learning effective ways to regulate your emotions can make these situations easier to manage and reduce negative feelings. Negative emotions can impair decision-making and clear thinking, which can fuel feelings of inadequacy.
5. Practice Self-Compassion
Regardless of your competence at a given task, you have intrinsic value and deserve self-kindness. Practice self-compassion and use loving-kindness meditation to grow your love for yourself and others.
6. Build a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that you can grow and improve. This mindset helps you overcome skill deficits by encouraging effort and improvement, leading to greater competence than you might have imagined.
7. Focus on Your Strengths
Identify and capitalise on your strengths. By focusing on what you’re good at, you can shift your attention away from your perceived weaknesses. Utilising your strengths can lead to success in areas that rely on them.
In Summary
Feeling inadequate from time to time is completely normal. By working on it, we can reduce the time spent in this state and make more room for self-confidence. Implementing these strategies can help you feel more competent and comfortable in situations that might otherwise provoke feelings of inadequacy.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
5 Reasons Why Internship are Important for Students
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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