Is The Jonah Complex Limiting Your Success?

I have focused my work using Jungian psychological approach to brand building to connect my clients not only to uncover their true brand identity but also themselves in the process. 

Through this process, one of my clients discovered that she had the Jonah Complex.
The Jonah Complex is a term coined by psychologist Abraham Maslow, referring to the fear of achieving one’s fullest potential, leading to self-doubt and the evasion of pursuing one’s greatest talents or calling.

This complex is named after the biblical story of Jonah, who initially ran away from his destiny to become a prophet.Individuals experiencing the Jonah Complex may avoid striving for great achievements due to fears of responsibility or failure, or due to a subconscious avoidance of realizing their own capabilities.

In the context of Jungian archetypes, the Jonah Complex correlates closely with The Hero archetype.
The Hero is characterized by bravery, adventure, and overcoming challenges.

It represents the journey of stepping into one’s power and confronting what is frightening or challenging.

However, the shadow side of the Hero can manifest as the Jonah Complex, where the fear of realizing one’s potential and the subsequent responsibilities it brings causes one to shrink back from their heroic journey.

My client had awareness; as much as she was investing in getting various certifications, started her business, she knew deep down she was still running from her destiny. 

Starting and stopping. Always somehow self-sabotaging her progress. Getting close but never quite hitting the mark on realizing her true potential. 
When we did her assessment, her Irresistible Core™ archetype was the Hero.

People with the Hero archetype may need to confront this complex to fully embrace their path and achieve their greatest potential.
Her Hero archetype presents many positives for success: Strength, empowered, discipline and resilience but her shadows were blocking and slowing progress. 

In our Brand IT Factor assessment, the Twist archetype correlates to Maslow’s Self-actualization at the peak of an individual’s achievement. 

I have found that this Twist when leveraged with the Irresistible Core archetype can bring a positive balance to overcome the shadows or complexes that hinder growth. 

It represents your next level and most people are also afraid to express that side of themselves yet that is where you are most influential and in your highest leadership expression. 

It’s true what they say “we all have a complex. We just need to ensure our complex does not have us.”
This is what I do with clients. Identifying the three powerful archetypes that dominate your unconscious and direct your life positively and negatively puts you in the driver’s seat.  

As Dr Carl Jung said “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate. 
My process has always been more than helping you create a world-class brand. It is about helping you discover the depth of your own psyche so that you can become a more empowered leader. 

So that your conscious actions are aligned with your unconscious and that you can leverage these archetypes to connect with your ideal clients because your most ideal clients will embody these archetypes too.  This is a brand DNA-led approach that uncovers the true expression, communication, and profitable positioning of your brand.

It is the most successful way to ensure that your brand image, message, and your true identity all line up into a cohesive and compelling brand. 

Discover the Brand IT Factor to understand how you can step into your most irresistible brand and discover yourself to elevate your leadership.

Let’s connect soon. Learn more about the Brand IT Factor method Here.