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Is the "career triumph" perceived as that by one who has received it? How was it achieved? Self-esteem could be a big factor too.

Feeling Inferior comes from deep within.... Carl Jung claims we have preferred ways of dealing with our inner and outer worlds. He says there are four basic ways or functions. Sensing (irrational function), thinking (rational), intuiting and feeling (rational).
If one of these functions are not balanced with the others, we will tend to have inferior feelings about oneself. Its important to use all four functions in order to see ourselves clearly....some don't, though. and get into feeling things instead of thinking them out with logic and through using other senses.
I think its much like getting stuck in a false belief system from early on or over time....as in brain washing.

some people find it really hard to let go of the past. No matter the triumph, those old recordings still play over and over. one criticism can wipe out a thousand compliments. We remember the criticisms. Overly critical parents, teachers all the people in a power position in our lives contribute to feelings of inferiority.

I am reminded of a story told by Barbra Streisand. She said that she stepped out on stage to a sold out crowd. there were presidents, ex presidents and , heads of state and many many celebrities. There in the front row sat her mother who told her years ago that she would never make a living singing. Imagine

I know a young man who is now has his doctorate but gets no fulfillment from practicing in the field. He is basically just floating around doing odd jobs here and there. His parents died and he is now speaking out; said he did those studies because that was his parents' desire .... nothing to do with him. He is an extremely brilliamt but very insecure youn man .... his personal life is also affected by all of this.

I've always felt inferior. I live a successful life. I have everything I need. I don't want for much, but I've been knocked down so many times by my mother and 2 ex-spouses. I'll never be able to get around that.

I suspect we all feel out of place (is this the same as inferior) at times.

I recall the advice I was given when I first had to do public speaking - "imagine the audience in their underwear. Find one person with a friendly face and talk to that person." And this silliness worked for me. And I've even grown to enjoy talking to groups.

So is there a similar trick for handing the "feel out of place" thing?

I know there are some people and places who will never be comfortable to me... mostly because they are unable to be real or the situation is dangerous in some way or another. It is not money, clothes, education or fame that impresses or causes inferiority feelings for me. Sometimes, it is also the goodness in people- can I ever measure up to that? Sometimes, I'm in awe of what others have achieved. But mostly I just see another person doing much the same thing we all do every day.

"Sometimes, it is also the goodness in people- can I ever measure up to that?"

John, I feel the same way.

Years ago I stood in a courtroom prepared to facilitate a workshop on Domestic Violence for Attorneys members of the Clemency board and one well known Judge. I don't usually get nervous but that small town girl appeared and told me that I had nothing on these scholarly people. Less than 15 minutes in, I realized that they knew very little on the subject and if I threw my script away with all the ten dollar word and got them talking among themselves, that I would have more success. n the end a member of the Clemency Board thanked me, told the audience that this proves that there was more work to be done and invited me to speak to his staff. I guess my point is that we automatically allow those things John mentioned to make us feel inferior but we all have something to offer no matter what the education level, clothes or money.

Yea, my evil twin felt good that they were dumb on this subject. LOL