Reader,

Okay, the sixth reason why people act crazy sometimes – maybe the reason why you act crazy sometimes – is that they're carrying around inside them this primal question: Am I good enough?

If you've been following this series, you'll know that I'm exploring Mike Foster's Seven Primal Questions framework.

If you're a PQ6, your deepest emotional need is to have your unique humanity valued and recognized: by the organization you work for and by the people you're in relationship with.

The core fear for someone who carries this primal question is judgment – being negatively thought of by another person or by a group. As such, A PQ6's kryptonite or trigger is criticism.

I had a roommate that was, as I see in hindsight, a PQ6. He was impervious to any critique, even if it was constructive. He could never take ownership of anything.

If he slept in too late, there was something wrong with the alarm clock.

If he failed a project or initiative, it was due to circumstances beyond his control.

If there was tension in a relationship, or if a relationship unraveled, it was always due to an issue the other person had going on.

PQ6's have incredibly thick walls of defense. One of the main reasons for this is because the voice of criticism inside their own heads is so intense. Even the slightest whisper of outside critique makes that chorus of criticism more than they can bear.

Now, the primal gift of somebody who carries this primal question is they uncover and discover value wherever they go. They can just see it, even if it's buried very deep or hidden behind off-putting behavior. You can recognize these people by their tendency to advocate for people and ideas that others may dismiss too quickly.

However, they can only unleash that superpower when they ground themselves in this primal truth: I am good enough.

Here's a couple of basic practices if you are PQ6:

1. Accept your limitations. In fact, celebrate them! You're not God: you're a human being, and not less than human either.
2. Give yourself permission to be bad at something, especially at first.
3. Take action, even if you're not exactly sure it's the right thing to do or say.

You are loved.

You're not alone.

You've got this.

Jake.