I've noticed something interesting when people express feelings of inadequacy. Often, well-meaning friends rush to reassure them by saying: "No, you're doing great!" or "Don't be so hard on yourself!" While these responses come from a place of care, they miss something crucial.

If you're feeling like you're not doing enough, you're probably right (hear me out). These feelings usually stem from a gap between where you are and where you want to be. It's not about being "behind" in some universal sense; it's about having aspirations you haven't yet reached.

I hear this a LOT during my mentorship calls! Instead of dismissing these feelings and giving them a pep-talk, I prefer to dig deeper. When someone shares their sense of inadequacy with me, I ask questions like:

→ Who do you admire, and what about them inspires you?
→ What does "enough" look like to you?
→ What would make you feel successful in your own eyes?

These reveal specific, meaningful goals that have been sitting just below the surface. Some people discover they want to get into their dream company, others want to build something meaningful, and some want to achieve financial independence. The goals vary, but the underlying desire to grow is universal.

The key is turning these aspirations into actionable steps. If someone's "North Star" feels distant, I help them break it down into weekly milestones. This transforms "vague dissatisfaction" into "measurable progress". Instead of feeling stuck, you can see yourself moving forward, even if in small increments.

I have seen people heavily relying on external motivation, while the pep talks and reassurances are like quick energy doses, they tends to fade quickly. Real confidence comes from within, sparked by consistent progress toward goals that matter to you. When you know you're genuinely working toward your aspirations, even if the journey is long, you'll find that inner drive that no amount of external validation can match.

So if you're feeling like you're not doing enough, don't seek reassurance. Seek clarity about what "enough" means to you, then build a bridge to get there, one step at a time.  

Happy weekend ❤️