#Realization #FeelingDumb #SelfAwareness
Hey there, fellow late bloomers in self-awareness! 🙋♂️ So, has anyone else had that lightbulb moment where they suddenly realized they might just be a bit lacking in the brain cells department? Because let me tell you, I’ve definitely had that epiphany after 25 years in the workforce.
Here’s the deal: I’ve come to terms with the fact that I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed. Despite having multiple degrees, including a STEM and a Masters, I’ve never felt like more than just mediocre at best in my jobs. And that’s okay! I’ve accepted my fate as a below-average worker and am just trying to keep my head above water until retirement in 8-10 years.
But hey, here’s a silver lining for all us “idiots” out there: I’ve found that as long as you show up and do the work, you can get through life just fine. And to all those who feel like they’re about to get fired any minute because of their lack of genius, remember this – we’re in this together! 🤝
So, here’s a little something I’ve learned along the way that might help us all out:
– Embrace your strengths and work on improving your weaknesses
– Seek feedback and mentorship from those who excel in areas where you struggle
– Remember that intelligence comes in many forms, and being “smart” is not the only path to success
Here’s to all my fellow “dumb” friends – may we navigate this world of smart people with grace and humor! 😉 Enjoy your weekend, and keep on keepin’ on!
This is exactly how I have felt in every job.
My experience has been that it doesn’t matter if you’re dumb or smart, what matters is ingratiating yourself with the people that can make your life easier. I’ve busted my ass, been the smartest person in the building at some jobs, and it’s gotten me nowhere, meanwhile the stoner burnout selling the boss his weed and going to the casino with him gets the raises and the cushy assignments. It really isn’t what you know, it’s who you know.
Completely feel you (apart from me having no degree and honestly having lucked into my job). Thought yesterday I hate that I’m just smart enough to know how dumb I am. In a new project that’s a major step up from other ones I’ve done well in and it’s been a struggle to say the least. Do your best and collect your check my friend.
It’s an oversimplification to say ‘I’m dumb’ or ‘I’m smart’. Our brains are all different and optimised to do different things.
People who are actually stupid don’t usually realize it or even consider they might be. You are probably as smart as most of the people you work with, while they are thinking the same thing
This may be imposter syndrome. You don’t just get a STEM or Masters degree by showing up and turning in work that any idiot could do. Most idiots wouldn’t last the first semester in any STEM program.
The reality is that most humans are fucking stupid, but we’re good at a couple of things that are important to our survival and enjoyment of life, so we get by. Some of us are lucky to be good at things that are highly profitable, some of us are lucky to be good at things that help them have a good social life. Some of us are unlucky to be good at things that don’t make much money or get us many friends. The ones that think they are really smart, are the people to watch out for, their egos occupy the largest proportion of their brains.
Wait til you realize that NO ONE really knows what they’re doing. If you’re holding down a job and making a decent living you’re much smarter than you think.
I must admit I’ve coasted for most of my career and still been quite successful. Which must make at least a little bit smart.
If you’re aware that you’re dumb, you’re probably flying over the heads of 90% of people.
I hear, only intelligent people know how stupid they are.
For what it’s worth; every team I’ve ever worked with—the quality of our work had more to do with the attitude of people and the work ethic of the team than how smart anyone was. If I’m in a team of brilliant people, but everyone’s a jerk; we’re not going to get anything done. If I’m in a team with a full mix from sharp to struggling; but we’re all considerate towards one another and share the workload—then we’ll end up being really efficient and effective. If you’re a good coworker and you don’t let your ego get in the way of doing your job, you’re already contributing a lot more than you realize.
I would say it’s harder than you think to achieve those stem degrees I knew a lot of guys who dropped out of college because it was too hard
Better to keep quiet and be thought of as an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubts.
The secret is everybody’s stupid and is just making it up as they go along or imitating something they saw on tv or at a previous job. The key is knowing that you don’t know it all and be open to learning. If you embrace your stupidity they can’t use it against you. Also, people love to show off when they feel like experts on a topic so if there’s something not clicking ask somebody to explain it and they’re usually happy to.
I couldn’t stomach college and applaud those that can make it through. You’re only an idiot in your desired field, maybe you’d feel like you excelled if you did something different?
If you’re worrying about whether or not you’re smart, you’re likely just fine. That train of thought would never even occur to a truly stupid person.
Dumb people don’t have multiple degrees. You are feeling down on yourself.
Jobs are rigged against us. Nothing we do is good enough. Its sort of like the dog races where they are chasing a rabbit. If they get close to the rabbit the rabbit speeds up. They will never catch the rabbit and at the end of the day its a fake rabbit anyway. You are probably at least average if not better at your work. The guys that do well in the office are often the guys who do very little. They are friends with bosses and whoever they need to be friends with to skate and get away with not being that great. The rest of us get a beating. No matter what we do we will never make it. There is always some fault to be found. Thats our fake rabbit speeding up. Just do what you can and try to keep your head down. As long as you arent offending a boss firectly or one of the bosses suvkups you will probably be fine. Find a hobby or activity outside of work you can identify with that brings you happiness. Joy and contentment, or even general satisfactionbrareky comes ftom the workplace.
it sounds more like anxiety, you have multiple degrees
As a true dumb person i am insulted by this braggadocios post
I’ve met plenty of “dumb” people in low level jobs, but I’ve met just as many in high level jobs.
Very few jobs require you to be particularly bright. If you just show up and turn in your work that’s mostly enough for work just like it was for school.
Bonus if you are friendly and LOOK like the kind of person that’s competent (I am). Pro tip it helps to be a middle aged white guy with a boring haircut.
I wouldn’t consider you to be a dumb person. Have you thought that maybe you believe you are “ mediocre at best” at the jobs you’ve had / have bc you’re stuck working in a mind numbing/ soul crushing career?
I love this post. Self awareness and acceptance are truly rare skills to develop, even, or maybe especially, for us dummies.
Actual stupid people never think they’re stupid.
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts and the stupid ones are full of confidence.”
-Charles Bukowski
I think I’m not good enough for these scheming manipulative games…
I think I’m stupid. Other people think I’m smart. I tell them no, I feel like I’m just a big idiot. But I also tell people I’m introverted and my coworkers said I’m not, that I’m very social so maybe I’m just very tough on myself. Like, I literally feel like my brain doesn’t work the way it should compared to other people. I struggle with a lot of things other people don’t so I feel dumb all the time
By whose estimation are you mediocre at best at every job? Is that based on all the reviews you’ve had the past 25 years, or have they all been positive and you just see all the ways you could be better so you put that on yourself?
Have you heard of the death drive?
You have your education, now you need to George W. Bush this. No disrespect to the former president, but as I recall his grades were low. He surrounded himself with smart people, and managed the presidency without getting himself impeached or convicted of a federal crime (ahem).
So be honest, kind, hard working, and choose to work with the best of those around you. You’ll do fine.
This is some imposter syndrome / Dunning-Kruger type shit. A dumb person would not have written any of what you wrote, and certainly not in the same tone. To me, you come across as humble, self-aware, and intelligent.
Stupid people think they are smart, intelligent people tend to question their intelligence
Well a true idiot doesn’t think they’re an idiot, they think everyone else is!
I feel like stupid people never realize they’re stupid. That’s why they’re always LOUD and wrong so…maybe it’s something else? It’s possible you have a different communication style or are neurodivergent. I’ve had a lot of neurodivergent friends talk to me about how neurotypicals function based on a lot of assumptions, while neurodivergents need a lot more detail because they DON’T make assumptions. Having to ask a lot of questions can be perceived as a lack of mental ability, when in reality it’s just clarification.
Yuuup.
Not here to shake things up, just wanna pet cats and die peacefully.