Why do we feel insecure about our insecurities? Why do we view insecurity as being a bad thing, when it's something we all experience at certain times in our life?
I've often wondered about the purpose of this very basic human emotion. Knowing that Life is here to assist us, why place this uncomfortable obstacle in our way to feeling good about ourselves? Unless, of course, it provides a vital ingredient needed for our advancement.
Finding the gift of insecurity requires looking through a different lens of interpretation. We can make our moments of insecurity work for us when we're willing to see its purpose through new eyes.
Here's how to use insecurity to your advantage:
Insecurity can spark growth.
Insecurity can prompt our desire for self-improvement. It can jolt us into action and push us toward higher goals. Insecurity is only harmful when we compare our weakest link to someone's strongest link.
In that faulty formula of assessment we exclude the totality of who we are, focusing narrowly on one aspect of ourselves that could be better. This format of analysis leads straight to self-doubt. It lowers our confidence and has nothing to do with aiding our forward movement. Rather than serving as a catalyst, it paralyzes us.
The correct usage of this formula would inspire us to our own greatness. Viewing another's achievements properly would make us realize that greater goals are possible for us, as well. This approach expands our imagination. It urges us to ask more of ourselves while providing tangible proof that more is possible.
A little insecurity is normal.
Every human being wonders if they're "okay." That's the big secret no one shares and no one wants to share. Only someone in a profession such as mine would be privy to the inner workings of outwardly confident, competent professionals who experience moments of self-doubt.
It's time to tell the truth so that everyone can relax a bit and know they're not alone in wondering if they're okay.
No matter what position we hold, how attractive our looks, how much money and power we have... at the core of every human is the desire to be accepted and seen as valuable in the eyes of those around us.
You're not flawed or defective. You're experiencing this thing we call Life. There will be times you'll feel on top of the world and times you'll doubt your worth. This is normal. It's a part of our forward movement as we take stock of who we are, in transit to who we're becoming.
Even the powerful have moments of insecurity.
I've had the great privilege to personally know some of our world's most powerful elite. As titans of industry and commerce, these individuals are fully dimensional beings. While holding positions of great influence and achievement, interlaced with their impact and bravado are the same insecurities and self-doubt we all experience. Gifted in specific areas yet struggling in others, they're just like the rest of us.
Comparison is an inaccurate assessment of our worth. We'll never know the inner workings of another person's life, their challenges, nor the sacrifices they've made to secure their success. Achievement comes at a price. Whether time, energy, or risk--no gain is made in one area without sacrifice in another.
The ultimate marker of confidence is humility.
True empowerment is humble. As opposed to those who play the "I'm so together game," the truly powerful are aware of their own mixture of humanity while striving to become the best version of themselves possible.
A truly empowered person can look at their shortcomings and seek improvement. The arrogantly insecure must only see a mirror that reflects their perfection. The former are open to improvement, and focus their attention on self-development. The latter believe their job is done, and focus their attention on the correction of others.
Insecurity makes us teachable.
We will all experience cycles in our life when we feel we've lost our way. Upon entering a new level of understanding, we won't recognize the terrain. Life is wonderful in this way. The nature of growth requires embracing the new and unexplored. Security is opposed to growth, as growth is chaotic and unsettling.
Insecurity is the gift of wondering what comes next in our discovery process. We don't have the answers. How could we? We've never been at this juncture before. That's part of the fun. We've been given a life to construct in any manner we choose. We can seek our own guidance and trust ourselves to know the answers when we get there.
In any moment of fleeting insecurity, know that you're not alone. You're a human being trying to find your way through a maze of conflicting information and illusory symbols. It's okay. You're okay. We're all here learning. Growing. Uncovering. Discovering.