It’s different from the general sense of shame, even though both trigger similar self-narratives; being motivated to avoid a shameful outcome can be more challenging to identify, especially when disguised as a positive.
When the drive to improve and succeed is rooted in the pervasive feeling of worthlessness and fear of being seen as incompetent and a failure, even with short-term results, it disconnects us from embracing who we truly are and can be.
Shame disconnects. Because of that, it’s one of the most hidden challenges that can lead to long-term harm to emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
A more useful alternative to being motivated to avoid shame is to embrace our imperfect selves as who we truly are, explore the meaning of life, and learn to grow.
Just as we can’t build a brand on negative narratives about our business or organizations, we can’t achieve long-lasting goals or real accomplishments fueled by shame.
