Humble people have great compassion, self-awareness, and maturity. The world could even do with a couple more of them. But sometimes, being overly humble can make you feel like it’s hindering your ability to reach the success that you know, deep down, you deserve.
1. You’ve already been kicking some serious ass.
Look, you’re still young. The world isn’t going anywhere yet – unless the apocalypse decides to hit tomorrow, but that’s an article for another day – so there’s not really much point in concentrating on all the things you haven’t done yet. Time is waiting for you, my precious young grasshopper. So take a step back and see things from a different perspective – focus on the amazing things you’ve already done; the seeds you’ve already sewn for your own success. When you start putting it all together, you’ll realize that your list of accomplishments so far might actually be pretty extensive.
2. Why compare yourself to someone else? You don’t have time to be living someone else’s life.
Nobody’s life is the same. You may have had similar experiences with people, but no one quite processes them the same way. Yes, they even process the experience of their aunt taking off their wig during drunk moments differently. So what, then, makes one person’s thoughts or opinions more worthy than yours? Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they’re somehow more worthy or entitled to an opportunity than you are. Your drunken aunt will be proud of you for it.
3. Don’t be afraid to play up your strengths.
Honestly, it never hurts to talk yourself up every now and then. Just go for it. Fake it til you make it. Try to sound like an asshole – because if you have the virtue of humility, you probably won’t sound like one anyway. Because remember: Being humble doesn’t mean overlooking your skills and strengths. It means recognizing the fact that you can do taekwondo while blindfolded with a donut between your teeth without losing sight of the important things in life, like fighting the bad guys instead of the good.
4. If you want it, you need to go get it.
If you’re being humble because you’re afraid of putting yourself out there – stop what you’re doing right now and get out from underneath that invisibility cloak. Go for the pieces of fruit that are the hardest to reach – if that’s what you want. Talk to that person across the room you think they’re kinda cute. You’re never going to get anything if you don’t try. You’re the only one who’s standing in your way.
5. The person who speaks up takes the cake.
It’s an unfortunate fact in this world that the one who speaks the loudest gets heard the most often. In places like the workplace, it’s usually the person who puts themselves out there the most that reaps most of the benefits. Now imagine if smart people with smart things to say started doing that more… Sounds like it’d become a better world, right? So, don’t be afraid of voicing your opinions – given your naturally unpretentious outlook on life, maybe we can actually start getting somewhere!
6. What’s the point in being good at what you do if no one else knows it?
No one gets the credit if they don’t showcase themselves. Make yourself visible. As someone who understands the importance of humility in life, you’re the one who needs to shine.
7. Haters gonna hate.
Maybe it was your mother that told you no one likes a showoff. Or your teacher who said bragging wasn’t gonna get you anywhere. Look, no matter what you do in life, there’ll be haters. But once you start realizing that that’s the way of the game, you’ll even have some fun messing with them.
