At work, I have a reputation for being a know-it-all, and not in the bad way. I have a similar reputation among my friends, my down time or work time often interrupted by those wanting to pick my brain. (Among my friends, it’s a weird feeling. They could just look it up on their computer. Instead, they leave their computer or IM me to ask me.)

So I have this reputation for knowing everything. I try to convince people that I don’t really know everything. Don’t get me wrong, I know a lot, but I also know how to look up what I don’t know. This in turn apparently confirms my status as very knowledgeable because I know where to look. (What are they teaching kids in school these days?)

Any protestations on my part are taken as modesty, even though I know I’m telling the truth.

I have much the same problem when responsibility gets dumped on my shoulders. I don’t have the time or energy, but because I’ve pulled off something (by asking or delegating) I get to be the trusted one.

There’s an old adage about keeping your mouth shut and letting people think you are a fool rather than proving them right. It really ought to apply to other areas of life as well, I suppose, but I can’t quite manage to keep myself from protesting my average person status.

Perhaps people think I’m being modest. Perhaps they think I’m setting them up for low expectations so I can dazzle them with whatever I happen to pull off (Don’t I wish!). Perhaps they think I’m the shy, nervous type.

While I am shy, nervous, and often underestimate myself, I’m not a terribly modest person. I just struggle with a roller coasting self-esteem. (That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.)

So, what advice can anyone give someone like me? Try this one:

If you’re walking onto a stage, the audience assumes that you know what the hell you’re doing. Play along with them. I don’t care if your audience is a new client or if it’s the biggest gallery owner in the city. Go with it. The whole world doesn’t need to know that you feel like you’re out of your league. Fake it til you make it. (Source)

Play along. It feels a bit misleading, but it’s so crazy it might just work!

Posted by Rebecca in Uncategorized