The Paradox of Self-Acceptance

Fixing Mental Health and Finding our Way to More High-Performers

Why is self-acceptance so hard (for me)? Why is the very idea that we are not enough so prevalent in our culture, our afflicted society? And why do so many high-performers struggle with feelings of inadequacy? Not successful enough, rich enough, famous enough…

Many books have been written on the subject, and many more will be. But what about me? What about you? Self-help books are great for ‘the masses,’ but I’m different. I’m special, unique. Isn’t that what we’re all told growing up? And in many ways, it isn’t wrong. We’re all different little cocktails of the same basic aspects of what it means to be human.

And elite athletes and CEOs are no different. They’re a bundle of experiences and emotions, pain, suffering, and purpose. They’re human. They’ve gone through a lot and achieved much.

But this article isn’t about someone else. It’s about you and me.

It’s about my struggles, yours too. My issues coming to terms with who and what I am. My inner demons, my haunting fears. Mistakes and regret…

We all have things in our life that shape us. That mold the person we are and are “meant” to be. Some people accept these things better than others. They live their life as it is, rather than stressing over crappy book sales, reaching certain heights, or pushing themselves toward made-up…