Self-confidence is one of the essential attributes for success in life, or for that matter for success in any undertaking or enterprise. It is the corner stone for a dominant and colorful personality. An individual who suffers from inferiority complex is found to be lacking in self-confidence. Lack of self-confidence also, makes a man socially aloof and retiring. He shuns company and publicity although he may have an inner longing to mix with others and be free. The sense of being inferior proves often to be more crippling than a physical disability. Lack of education, poor social status, childhood disappointments, etc. may also lead to development of inferiority feelings in an individual. Lack of self-confidence and the presence of inferiority complex may manifest on the part of an individual in shyness,timidity, over sensitiveness loneliness, fear, tendency to speak lies and so on. In specific cases the afflicted person may turn out to be a sadist and when placed in a position of authority may take it out on his subordinates. He will be unduly critical of their acts and reveal a marked tendency to find fault with them. He will be assailed by constant doubts and find it difficult to trust anyone. In contrast, he is likely to display a servile attitude towards his superior. Individuals having no self-confidence will not even be able converse freely. All the while they will be worried in weirdly that others would be thinking poorly of them. They will be subjected to constant and recurring self-doubts. It may ultimately lead to mental frustration and severe disappointments. Since lack of self-confidence is the serious impediment on the path of progress and success in one’s life, it should be got rid of at the earliest opportunity. Luckily it can be cured, completely, fully and effectively. Very rarely, external aid and the assistance of experts would be necessary for the cure. Practically in all the cases, the individual him-self can overcome his inferiority complex and develop self-confidence by his own determined and persistent efforts. The first thing to do is to find out as to why a person feels inferior. The individual must carry out a thorough objective self-analysis. It will have its beginning or origin somewhere, often in one’s childhood. Finding out and pin-pointing the cause will prove to be the first step in curing the disease. A feeling of neglect, superior educational or sports accomplishment of brothers, sisters or friends, protected life constant adverse criticism, physical short-comings and social distinctions any of these individually or in combination with others, might have sown the seed of inferiority-complex in the young mind. The individual can identify the cause without much difficulty by talking aloud his problem with his trusted friend. Where necessary he can consult the expert. The most important thing is to remember that inferiority complex is due entirely to one’s own mental imagination. The individual imagines that others notice, observe and take cognizance of his short comings. Unfortunately this is wrong assumption, taken for granted as corrected by the afflicted person. In reality nothing is farther from truth. In day to day life very rarely people worry and bother about others, especially where the point at issue does not directly affect them or their interest in any way. The next thing to understand that there is no such thing in an inferior person. The terms inferior and superior are purely relative connotations. They may not mean the same to two different individuals. What is inferior to “A” may be superior to “B” and vice-versa. Further one may be inferior to another in one aspect but superior to the same individual in regard to other aspects. If a doctor is good in his profession, so a lecturer could be good in his profession. When we thus analyze objectively we will find that the terms inferior and superior have really no relevance at all and it is nothing but foolishness or ignorance on the part of one, to suffer any in-habitations by harboring these illusions. One often feels inferior because he judges himself by the standards he attributes to other people and not by his own. Having thus neutralized the basic factors which contributed to the growth of inferiority complex, we should now proceed to take some positive steps for building the required self-confidence. We all know that nothing succeeds like success. Similarly confidence grows from success in turn contributes to more success. If you can succeed in one venture, you can succeed in the next venture also. Thus with experience your confidence grows. The next important step to gain complete self-confidence is to turn your interest and concern towards others instead of worrying about yourself. Think outwardly and think of others, their needs, problems, and difficulties. Consider whether you contribute to increase their lot in any way. Take a genuine, sincere and active interest in others. Give sympathy, encouragement and active help to them. Plunge into the job with great and real enthusiasm. The more you know of the people, the more they talk of their problems to you, the more you listen, learn and appreciate, the greater will be your knowledge and stronger your self-confidence.
Gorgeous jakaas