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Superiority Complex

·2 mins

‘If I had the money and the connections that the Zepto Founders had, even I could build it. In fact, I don’t understand what’s cool about Zepto. I can probably make something that is truly world changing. Not just 15 minute delivery.’

  • Internet Stranger

‘The worst form of the Inferiority Complex is the Superiority Complex’

  • Alfred Adler (Paraphrased)

Superiority Complexes are supercharged Inferiority Complexes #

Adler says feelings of inferiority are normal. You feel that you are behind, or lesser. You use this feeling to push yourself, improve, and get better. However, when these feelings pile up, and a person isn’t able to cope up, they become an inferiority complex.

This inferiority complex becomes worse when it becomes a superiority complex. That’s basically when one starts lying to themselves. They believe they’re superior to everyone else, and give any and every excuse for their inferior current situation.

The worst lie you tell yourself #

The worst lie you can tell yourself is that of competence. Let’s take an example. I believe I’m a great bowler. I can bowl just as well as Bumrah. I just haven’t cared enough or practice enough. If I put my mind to it, I can probably catch up in 4 months. But who cares, it’s too easy and a waste of my time. I’m doing better things than just being a fast bowler.

That’s exactly what most people on the internet tell themselves. All the wanna be founders and investors. If I were a VC I’d make much better investors. If I were the founder, I’d build something much better. My startup is just so much better, the investors are jealous and are haters.

Stop.

Accept the reality and move ahead #

Step one beyond this is to stop thinking that you’re better than everyone. Look at the cold hard data, and acknowledge that you’re a step behind. Accept your inferiority.

That sounds depressing, but only then can one move ahead. If you think the ‘real’ you exists but isn’t achieved because of myriad reasons, you always have excuses to not achieve your best. Once you’ve accepted that the flawed you is the real you, you can finally move ahead and push yourself to learn and improve.

Accept your status, learn, and improve. Stop trying to make yourself feel better.

I’m excited to work with founders with the right mindset. Reach out to me at startups at vatsalkanakiya dot com.

If you’re exploring how to scale your business with AI, reach out at consult at vatsalkanakiya dot com.