“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Let’s assume for a moment that everyone we work with, come into contact with, engage with regularly come with the best intent. In my world, I work with really nice people, I live in a really nice neighborhood, I volunteer at a really nice school and still sometimes I walk away feeling inferior. Why?
Simple, me! I feel bad because of that inner monologue, the too high of expectations I set for myself, or a story I tell myself. Other times, things happen that aren’t personal but impact me personally. This can be as simple as a person cutting me off in traffic or as complex as work and family situations. Regardless the situation, when I feel bad about myself I show up different. I’m negative, I’m afraid, I’m quiet. I am not my vision. Which impacts my ability to live my vision.
But here’s the thing…
Eleanor Roosevelt is correct. We control both the emotion about being inferior and our ability to move beyond it. Here we are again, Personal Mastery. Are you leading yourself? Are you living your vision? When you do, the ability to negotiate those icky inferior emotions expands.
For me, I do something I love. Go for a run, drink a great glass of wine, spend time with people who love me and I love (or all three). Basically I live my vision with intention. With intention greater than an average day. When I do that MY sense of feeling inferior fades away.
So the next time you feel the creep of inferior into your day I ask you to pause, breath and focus on your vision. I mean really focus, with intention, on your vision. When you do this, watch what part of you thought process expands…vision I guarantee it.
Remember the things you focus on the most are the things that will happen in your life. So ask yourself, am I focusing on inferior or am I focusing on vision.
Choose vision – it’ll never fail you.
A favorite quote from a great leader. Sometimes, we forget that we have the power of choice. Whatever form/shape inferior emotions presents itself (and it will); refuse to accept “it”, refuse to engage “it”, refuse to spend any time with “it.” Leverage inferior emotions (and the source thereof) as a reminder of how great, wonderful, and powerful you really are.
Perry – great quote. Thank you for sharing.
I agree with you Kimberly. The choice is yours – avoid people and activites that drain your energy and self esteem. Go for the ones that add positive energy to you. And share it.