15 Jan How To Overcome Insecurity And Reach Your Potential

Posted at 09:03h in GI SAID IT, Philosophy, Psychology, Society, Values by

Here’s a truth: Most people are insecure and just don’t want to admit it. You probably know someone like that (maybe it’s even you). The thing about insecurity is that it doesn’t just sit in one corner, it literally creeps into every corner of your life. Your job, relationships, ambitions, and even your happiness are gradually affected by this internal struggle you might not even realize is taking control over your life.

Here’s the thing about insecurity; plain and simple, it’s fear. Fear of not being enough. Not attractive enough, not skilled enough, not important enough. It stems from somewhere deep in your psyche, often in childhood, where someone made you feel small, or worse, got you used to neglect or abuse. But none of that matters anymore; what matters now is whether you’re ready to take the first step toward owning your sh-t (as tough as it may be) and reaching your full potential.

STOP BULLSH-TTING YOURSELF

First things first, drop the act. Stop pretending you’re fine when you’re not. Stop trying to convince yourself or others that you’ve got it all together when internally you’re holding on by a DNA sized thread. Being secure isn’t about showing off confidence; it’s about owning your flaws, being real, and being okay with who you are.

FIGURE OUT WHO THE HELL YOU ARE

Here’s where most people screw the pooch. They don’t know themselves enough (or at all), so they try to fit into what others expect them to be. Let’s be real, trying to be some watered down version of yourself just to fit in will never make you feel good enough. To combat insecurity, you need to know exactly who you are first.

ACCEPT YOUR FLAWS WITHOUT EXCUSES

This is where people flinch because it sounds scary, but it’s not. Once you’ve figured out who you are, you need to start accepting every part of yourself, flaws included. You know why? Because they make you you. That gap in your front teeth? Your clumsiness? That tendency to overshare in conversations? Yeah, those are part of your personality. Stop fighting them unless they are doing harm or causing problems (then fix those please, see below).

At the same time, don’t confuse acceptance with complacency. If your flaws are impacting other people, address them. But if they’re just quirks that make you unique? Owning them.

LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF, EVEN WHEN IT SUCKS

Loving yourself doesn’t mean posting selfies with hashtag “self love” or repeating empty affirmations in the mirror. It’s about giving yourself some grace and gratitude. You’re still here, you’ve made it this far; that counts for something. Loving yourself and gratitude means appreciating what you do have and understanding that things could be worse.

Stop beating yourself up for not being perfect. Perfect doesn’t exist, except maybe in movies. Being yourself saves you time, energy, and stress.

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND ACTUALLY RESPECT THEM

Here’s a reality of modern society… everyone wants to be seen as a leader because society glamorizes it. Want to know a real truth about that? Not everyone is meant to lead; and that’s okay. Some people thrive in support roles, and those roles are just as valuable. The problem? People don’t respect their own strengths unless they’re flashy, popular, or seem important to the masses.

Recognize what you’re good at. Accept the role where you naturally excel and capitalize on it. Trying to be something you’re not is a fast track to failure and even deeper insecurities.

ACTION OVER FEAR, EVERY DAMN TIME

You won’t overcome insecurity or reach your potential by sitting and waiting for some magical moment. You’ve have to act, even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when you’re scared. Taking action builds courage over time, and courage is the kryptonite to insecurity.

THE EGO DETOUR

Nobody’s off the hook on this subject though. Think you don’t struggle with insecurity because your ego is at God Almighty levels? Try again. Ego is just insecurity turned outward. It’s a defense mechanism, a giant neon sign saying, “Don’t look too closely, I’m actually scared on the inside.” The same rules apply; ditch the ego, admit the fear, and get to work on yourself.

WRAPPING IT UP

Overcoming insecurity and reaching your potential aren’t magic tricks. They’re uncomfortable but necessary processes of developing as a mature adult human. Get to know yourself, own who you are, and take action to leverage your strengths. Now go, and make sh-t happen.

GI Griffin is a brutally honest cultural commentator and author, founder of The Tribe Academy, and host of the GI SAID IT show where bold perspective meets unfiltered truth. Known for his no-BS insights on human behavior and modern culture, GI challenges conventional thinking, exposes uncomfortable truths, and delivers bold insights for independent minds. View his show & essays here, or subscribe to his FREE newsletter here.

 

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