Know You're Great: You Don't Need to Earn It—You Already Are (#302)
Some people walk into a room, and you just know they’ve got it together. It’s not the designer shoes or the fact that they mention their promotion twice before lunch. It’s something quieter. Calmer. Like the unbothered confidence of a cat who knows it owns the house — and the humans are just guests. Those cats are insane! Such arrogant creatures, please don’t be arrogant.
There’s a special kind of power in knowing you’re great… without feeling the need to announce it. “Hey guys, I’m here, look at me!”It’s like being the Wi-Fi — everyone benefits from your presence, but you don’t need to beep every five minutes to remind them you’re connected.
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t be proud of your accomplishments. We actually should be proud, after all we worked hard for it. Celebrate your wins! Brag to your best friend. Frame that diploma. Get yourself that overpriced cupcake with sprinkles on top. Yum! You earned it. But there’s a big difference between owning your greatness and advertising it like a used car.
Real confidence is like wearing mismatched socks on purpose—and convincing everyone else it’s a fashion statement. I still don’t get it. My girls do this all the time.
The loudest person in the room isn’t always the most secure — sometimes, they’re just the most caffeinated. Or nervous. Or stuck in a cycle of "If I don't tell them how awesome I am, will they ever know?" (Spoiler: yes, they will.) Interestingly, I am usually the loudest in the room. I am just a live and in color type that just loves celebrating happiness.
You know you’re great when:
- You don’t need to correct someone’s mispronunciation of your job title. You know what you do — and you do it well. Try having the title of Otorhinolaryngologist. It was so mispronounced that they changed it to ENT.
- You let your work speak for itself. I am hoping that’s what mine is doing.
- You listen more than you talk. Because you’re not afraid someone else might shine — their light doesn’t dim yours.
- You’re not obsessed with being right. You’re obsessed with learning, growing, and occasionally eating humble pie (preferably with whipped cream! My beautiful and amazing life partner loves it).
It’s not always easy. In a world that rewards loudness, quiet confidence can feel like showing up to a dance car show with a book of poetry. But trust me, there’s something magnetic about someone who doesn’t need to compete to be seen. Someone who can nod at their own reflection and think, “Yep. You’re doing alright,” without needing thirty-seven Instagram likes to confirm it. 38 please!!!
The truth is, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone — except maybe yourself. You’re already enough, just as you are. Your value doesn’t increase with volume. One up yourself! You vs You.
So the next time you’re tempted to rattle off your resume during small talk, or "casually" mention that you once shared an elevator with someone famous — take a breath. Let your energy do the talking. Let your kindness, your calm, your wit, your curious brain, and your perfectly timed eyebrow raise say it all. Think, The Rock! HA
Being great isn’t about being loud. It’s about being real. And real greatness? It doesn’t need to shout. It just is.
Now go forth, quietly awesome human. Let the world figure it out. They’ll catch on soon enough.