Turn Inferiority Into a Stepping Stone: Adler's Pursuit of Superiority

Introduction: The Stone Blocking Your Path

As we walk the path of life, we inevitably encounter large and small stones. ‘Looks worse than others’, ‘lack of academic background’, ‘poor family background’, ‘timid personality’… We call these stones Inferiority.

Many people sit down in front of these stones. They resent and despair, saying, “I can’t go any further because of this stone.” But Adlerian psychology proposes a surprising shift in thinking. “That stone is not there to trip you, but it is a ‘stepping stone’ placed so you can jump higher.”

Today, we will talk about Pursuit of Superiority, which turns inferiority feelings, which were only considered negative, into the most powerful fuel for growth.

1. Inferiority Feeling is Not a Disease but ‘Nature’

We often treat inferiority feelings as diseases that must be eliminated quickly. But Adler said, “Inferiority feeling is a universal and natural emotion that all humans have.”

Humans are helpless beings from birth. A child feels their weakness among adults and tries to walk, talk, and build strength quickly to overcome it. This desire to fill this ‘lack (minus)’ and move to a ‘better state (plus)’ was the driving force behind human progress. In other words, if you feel inferior looking at yourself now, it is evidence that you have a healthy desire for improvement, “I want to become a better person than now.”

2. Stumbling Block vs. Stepping Stone: Difference in Interpretation

What matters is not the inferiority feeling itself, but the attitude dealing with it. Even looking at the same stone, someone trips over (stumbling block), and someone steps on it and climbs up (stepping stone).

Person using it as a stumbling block (Inferiority Complex): “I can’t date because I’m short.” They give up challenges using inferiority as an excuse. For them, inferiority is an indulgence for failure.
Person using it as a stepping stone (Pursuit of Superiority): “I’m short, so I’ll develop a sense of humor and fashion sense to appeal to my charm.” They acknowledge inferiority and make other efforts to Compensate for it.

The historical figure Napoleon had a great inferiority complex about his short stature, but he sublimated it with overwhelming leadership and ambition to ascend to the position of emperor. If he had sat down saying, “I can’t become a general because I’m short,” history would have been different.

3. Pursuit of Superiority: Not Better Than Others, But Better Than Yesterday’s Me

There is a point to note here. The ‘Pursuit of Superiority’ Adler speaks of does not mean competition to trample others and become number one. That is merely a ‘superiority complex’ coming from comparison with others. True pursuit of superiority is “taking one step ahead of the past me.”

Flat land is easy to walk on, but muscles do not develop. Uphill paths are breathless and hard, but they make our legs strong. When you encounter a slope called inferiority, instead of complaining “it’s hard,” think “it’s time to grow now.” Your lack is the most powerful engine that moves you.

4. Carve the Stone to Make Stairs

Look closely at the stone of inferiority you have. If you lack academic background, use it as a whetstone to sharpen your skills. If you hate poverty, use it as manure to awaken economic concepts. All the main characters in biographies were possessors of huge inferiority feelings without exception. They did not avoid the stone but bumped into it head-on and made their own stairs.

“Healthy inferiority feeling is a catalyst for growth, but pathological inferiority feeling (complex) is a paralyzer of growth.” Where is your stone now? Is it holding your ankle, or is it placed under your feet?

5. Conclusion: We Dream Because We Have Lacks

A perfect human does not need dreams. Because they already have everything. The reason we dream and strive is because we have ‘lacks’. So love your inferiority feelings. It means you have a lot of margins to fill yet, and it means you embrace the possibility of growing infinitely.

Today, stand proudly on that stone blocking your path. The world you see from above that stone will be much wider and more beautiful than yesterday.

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