“i3 Thinking” is a common barrier people encounter when they sense the prompting to invest in the growth of others. In the last two posts, I’ve addressed the first two “i’s” – inferiority and inadequacy. The third “i” is “insecurity.”
Insecurity is driven by fear. It focuses on the what-ifs and what-might’s from a negative perspective. Insecurity produces anxiety and self-doubt and breeds fear about whether or not our investment would actually make a difference in someone’s life. “What if I fail?” “What if I look foolish?” Rather than focusing on the impact possibilities, we are distracted by the potential negative impact our efforts might have on us.
Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from people who are trying to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Twain’s words provide some good perspective when i3 Thinking tries to undermine your efforts to invest in people. First, they help us to remember that we have something great to offer. And second, they remind us to inspire greatness in others.
Questions: How is insecurity affecting your ability to invest in others? What steps can a person take to overcome “i3 Thinking.”
