It is becoming more common…this notion…this misconception that we need to be perfect and that we are not good enough. I am seeing it more and more in clients, friends and family. That belief can underlie so many problems with relationships with others (and certainly the relationship we have with ourselves). Believing that we are not good enough can lead to body image issues, financial problems, anxiety, depression…so many things.
What Happens When You Believe You’re Not Good Enough?
The problem with thinking that you are not good enough is that you apply it to YOU…the essential YOU, the core that represents YOU…not to your behaviors. You aren’t going around saying that your behavior needs to be improved…and if you do, you don't really believe that…no…the core belief at the bottom of it is that YOU are not good enough. We call that an identity level belief.
Believing that you are not good enough is one of the biggest lies and greatest disservice that you can do to yourself and it can lead to:
- Failure at creating and maintaining relationships
- Insecurity
- Lack of confidence
- Inability to allow success in the fields of career and education
- Addictions
- Bullying and being bullied
- Low self esteem
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Abusive relationships
…and more…
Where Did That Belief -I am not good enough- Come From?
Quite often…from childhood…when we get older and are running our own lives, you would think that it gets easier to let go of those old childhood patterns…but sometimes, it doesn’t…because we carry the voices of our parents or other authority figures (or who we thought they were), in our minds…
It is like we have this idea of who our parents, or teachers, or grandparents or others were and what they wanted us to do. It might have been right or it might not have. After all, it was a three or four or five year old (maybe even older…you could have been a teenager) who decided that, wasn’t it?
So when you think of how that small child made that decision…from that view point…well, it was biased…and it might not even have been what our parents or person in authority was really thinking, after all.
This idea of not good enough can also come from society and media ideas that are spread across our world. If you were exposed to media ideas or peer pressure about how your body should look (and this applies to both men and women), it is very easy to pick up the idea of not good enough. Or perhaps it is how much money you make or don’t make…there are many areas that can contribute to that belief…
How Can You Overcome “Not Good Enough”
- Pinpoint where the idea first came from. When you know where the belief came from, then you can use that to change the belief, in so many different ways. When you have a starting point, you can change how you looked at the event that happened…and when you change that perspective, even by a little bit…well…it can be the difference that makes all the difference.
- Reframe the meaning of “not good enough” or “perfect”. We all assign meaning to our words and because we do, we can change the meaning of those words. In order to have in your head an idea or concept of what “not good enough” is, you need to have an idea of what “good enough” is. Change how you define “good enough” and see what happens.
- Be in the now. When we live in the present moment, we can release the past and the notion that we ever were “not good enough”. In order to hold on to that belief, you have to remind yourself of times in the past where you believed that. In the now, there is just “good enough” and being in the present moment. Let the past and those memories stay in the past, where they belong.
- Look in the mirror and ask yourself "Why is it so easy for me to know that I am good enough?".
When you take look at the belief “I am not good enough”, realize that even if that belief served you at some point in time, now is as good a time as any to let it go…because, in all probability, it isn’t getting you what you want…and if it is at the bottom of any of any issues, changing your belief to “I am good enough” will help.
Because believing “I am not good enough” really hasn’t helped you, has it? So you can let it go and it will be a good thing…and think about just what would happen if you did believe that you were good enough…that's right…
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner
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Sherie
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Thanks for sharing..I’ve definitely had that ‘not good enough’ mentality before!
We all have, Stacy, haven’t we? Big hugs!
Wonderful reminder that we ARE good enough. I believe we were created for a purpose and we can fulfill that just the way were are!
I absolutely agree, Rob…thanks for your comment and insight!
Great post. I like the “be in the now”. The past is done and the future may change or not happen. I can concentrate on the today and being the best I can.
Yes, Michael, being in the now is such a key concept! Thanks for your insight and comment!
What a great way to remember Sherie! I am good enough and I matter!
You must certainly are and you do, Liz!! : D
I like the part about “be in the now”. It is sometimes so hard to release the past but you just have to. You have to focus on the now and let yesterday go. I’ve had to do this a few times.
Right on, Sara! Hard but necessary and it gets easier with time! Appreciate you!!
We really do have to know how valuable and how unique we are and not compare ourselves with others. But that is how almost everyone of us is raised. Really too bad. Let’s stop this and discover who we are with our unique giftings and talents and create our lives.
I absolutely agree with you, Olga!!
With everything being so competitive it is easy to see how we feel we are not good enough. We need to change that mindset! Thank you for a marvelous post!
We really do need to change that mindset, Mandy! You’re welcome and thank you for your comment!
Excellent post Sherie 🙂 I think one we can all relate to and gain insight from. I will be sharing your wisdom 🙂
Anita, thank you so much for reading the post and sharing!! I so appreciate you!! <3
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” – Yes, I do deserve it. Love this and thank you Sherie.
You’re welcome and thanks for reading and commenting!! : D
Great article that sheds light on the critical situation of our young people and their low level of self-esteem. Parents must take heed and fulfill their role as their child’s biggest supporter and cheerleader…in doing so our children have a hope of drowning out all that society bombards them with! Thanks for sharing your insights!
Thank you, Denny, I believe that we would see a different world if parents did fulfill their role as as their child’s biggest supporter and cheerleader. Your work is very important and I appreciate you!!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder! We’re all perfect in our own way!
We all are…thanks for commenting, Stacy!