Lessons from Inside Out 2 on Managing Imposter Syndrome, Anxiety, and Professional Life

Neeraj Sabharwal
3 min readJul 6, 2024

Inside Out 2, the much-anticipated sequel to Pixar’s emotional rollercoaster, offers profound insights into understanding and managing our emotions.

These lessons are exceptionally relevant to professionals across various fields, including technologists, engineers, salespeople, and founders.

This blog explores key themes from the film and their application in professional life, focusing on imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the importance of emotional balance.

Introduction

Inside Out 2 continues the story of Riley and the personified emotions inside her head. The movie dives deeper into the complexities of human emotions, portraying how they shape our experiences and responses to life’s challenges. For professionals, the film’s message underscores the importance of acknowledging and managing all emotions to thrive in their careers.

Lesson 1: Embracing All Emotions

It’s Okay to Feel Everything

Inside Out 2 teaches us that it’s okay to experience a full spectrum of emotions. This lesson is particularly pertinent for dealing with imposter syndrome and anxiety in the professional world. Imposter syndrome — a common phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a “fraud” — is often accompanied by anxiety and self-doubt. The movie reminds…

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Neeraj Sabharwal

Passionate about helping founders on their sales challenges. Technical background and now running sales.