It is absolutely natural to feel like you are underperforming when you hold yourself to exceptionally high standards. Measuring our sense of self-worth based on our productivity can be a self-defeating exercise. It can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. One would do well to remember here that our feelings are simply based on our perception. They need not be the most accurate reflection of reality.

So the next time you feel like you are not doing enough, challenge this thought. Practise positive self-evaluation in the following ways -

1. Be your own yardstick

While it is important to have a healthy inclination towards competition to succeed, being overly competitive can easily lead to feelings of disappointment on defeat. The act of doing or not doing ‘enough’ implies a pre-existing standard. Consider your own potential as the yardstick to measure your performance by, instead of comparing yourself with others.

2. Be kind to yourself

Oftentimes, we are our own worst critic. We internalise the pressure put on us by others to always perform superlatively and begin to pressurise ourselves. Understanding that it isn’t always possible to perform to our highest potential and managing our expectations accordingly can go a long way in reassuring us that we are indeed doing enough.

3. Be understanding of your limitations

Blind perfectionism can do more harm than good. You may be struggling to reach your learning goals on some days, while sailing smoothly to them on others. It is humane to find your motivation flailing and energy level dwindling. Accept this, and stride ahead to scale your learning ambitions. Tomorrow will be a new day, full of new possibilities to succeed!

4. Remind yourself of your progress

Focus on your progress rather than chasing after perfection. Recall where you started your learning journey from, and then assess where you find yourself at present. Doing this will help you realise the distance you have covered, and allow you to recognise your dedication so you feel less inadequate and more grateful.

5. Intend on completing fewer tasks

A piling to-do list only divides your attention and slows down your goal completion. Try to take up fewer tasks at once and focus on checking them off your list subsequently. Prioritise the tasks on your list, and then dedicate yourself to ticking off one task at a time with intention.

6. Keep track of your time

It is easy to forget all that you’ve been doing while you’re doing it. Naturally, you end up feeling like you haven’t been tending to your tasks adequately. Tracking your time into a daily task log will not only help you assess how you’ve been spending your time, but also let you keep a count of all the tasks that you have completed.

Rise above your feelings of inadequacy by recognising and rewarding yourself for all your hard work. As Learners single-mindedly chasing your goals, you need to find ways to motivate yourself instead of being critical of your efforts. You may not be able to bring your A-game to your learning sessions every day, but it is important that you keep trying. It matters that you keep learning.

If you are finding it difficult to keep track of your learning endeavours, use our Planner feature on the Unacademy app. It will let you seamlessly plan out your study sessions for effective results. You can also request strategic support from your Mentors by scheduling a 1:1 Live Mentorship session. Our Educators will be happy to guide you onward & upward!

Believe you can succeed, and you will.