Negativity. We’re surrounded by it day after day and inundated with it. The media, for example, is exceedingly adept at churning it out in volumes, titillating our appetites for more and more. And it works in that it keeps us plugged in, awaiting news of the next looming threat or gloomy forecast.
Such an approach can be a boon for media ratings, but employing such tactics in our everyday lives can create the wrong inertia. So why are some people so down on themselves? Why do they talk to themselves so condescendingly?
I’m blessed to work with some of the brightest, smartest people in their respective professions – people who don’t project that they’re unsure of themselves or riddled with doubt about their capabilities. Yet as I investigate further, I find they are insecure about their talents, and then I find myself propping them up rather than helping them build on the successes already in their possession. I hear people frequently say:
“I couldn’t possibly do that…”
“I don’t have enough confidence to…”
“No way I would be successful…”
I believe the reason for this is an aversion to perceived bravado or showing off. We’ve all been exposed to the grandiose loud mouth who touts his wares ad nauseam and we’ve been inculcated to find this off-putting and offensive. Instead, we’re taught to be models of humility, paragons of virtue so to speak, when it comes to our expertise and accomplishments. We’re expected to be modest and feel at least a bit guilty about what we’ve achieved for fear of being offensive and inconsiderate of others’ feelings. The problem with this is that it’s a recipe for mediocrity, whereby we can’t distinguish the stars from the also-rans, because no one is allowed to shine.
It’s simply a fact that when it comes to ability, we’re not all created equal. This is a good thing because it doesn’t restrict us to settling for merely average or for the lowest common denominator.
Those capable of producing that better product or building that better mousetrap should tout themselves. This can be done respectfully and without excessive fanfare. Keeping all of the good stuff under wraps is a disservice to anyone who could conceivably benefit from all they have to offer. There’s absolutely nothing to gain from working as hard as they have to reach the top of their game only to remain obscure, unknown and a best kept secret. I’d want to know about what they’re capable of and many others in my circle of friends, family and colleagues would also; so some well-placed, appropriate horn tooting could serve them very well. Let’s hear their music.
As the legendary baseball pitcher and commentator Dizzy Dean often said, “If you can do it, it ain’t braggin’.”
