You're (probably) smarter than me and that's GREAT!
Being a keynote speaker makes me feel funny AND smart. There’s nothing quite like getting a laugh one moment and people taking notes the next.
"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room."
I've seen or heard this quotation various times over the years and have never fully been sure that I agree.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds poignant and is structurally well-crafted. So well-crafted, in fact, that we as a society aren't smart enough to know who actually said it first. Confucius? Jack Welch? Bugs Bunny? Quote Investigator found attributions ranging from James Watson to Michael Dell to Taylor Swift.
There are two reasons I wrestle with whether or not I agree with the quote.
First, it ignores the times when you want to be the smartest person in the room, namely when you want to be a mentor or give back. Or if you're taking care of a new-born baby, hopefully you're smarter than a baby...
I regularly have conversations with people who are interested in getting into public speaking or are considering doing stand-up comedy. In those instances, I want to be the smartest person in the room, at least on that subject, so that I can provide value.
But the second, bigger reason is... I like to feel smart.
I know what you’re thinking, who doesn’t like to feel smart? But no, secretly, deep down, I want to feel like the smartest.
It’s why I worked hard enough to get all A’s in school, it’s why I like playing the NY Times Wordle and Crossword Mini (but not the full crossword because it makes me feel not smart), and it’s why I don’t think I was ever fully satisfied just doing stand-up comedy.
Yes, being a comedian makes me feel funny (in a good way, not in an “ate 10-day-old pizza” way). Being a keynote speaker makes me feel funny AND smart. There’s nothing quite like getting a laugh one moment and people taking notes the next.
I think it’s also why I struggle with learning a new language: I’m relatively smart in English, but I’m estupido in Spanish and an absolute Doofnuss in German.
But the response to last week’s article made me recognize that there is some value to the sentiment of the quote above.
If you haven’t read last week's article and want to know what I’m talking about, you can check it out here.
The gist: despite having a pretty successful past year, I doubted if I had done enough.
The resulting outpouring of support, encouragement, and commiseration (and even the start of a pun battle, thanks Rob) was not only re-energizing, it was strategy-altering.
Why? Because of just how darn smart you all are. I mean just look at some of these insights you shared:
“The most important learning [from this past year] was going from self-criticism to self-love.” -S
“I wonder if we can look at other people's successes like lights, some lights are bigger and brighter, but every light removes a little darkness from the world.” -C
“I have been where you are – looking back and focusing on regrets of the year… At some point, I just said – “f*** it.” My goals may not all get met because truly, if I am honest with myself, my overarching goal is to spend time with my family. Work has to happen sometimes to pay the bills and because I do enjoy what I do for a living. But if I have to dial back the goal setting during these formative years of my kids’ lives, then I think that is ok… My two cents -- don’t second guess it. I don’t think you will regret that time ever.” -A
See what I mean? Not to mention some of the accomplishments you all shared, which included:
achieving 1,200 blood (plasma) donations with Canadian Blood Services over 35 years,
successfully navigating a career change in a challenging economy,
organizing a significant family reunion, creating lasting memories,
learning to ride a bike,
touring Thailand and performing at Richard Branson's island.
birthing a human.
The responses inspired and humbled me, reminding me that I am certainly not the smartest person in this community. I’m also not the funniest, handsomest, or even punniest (ahem, Jim-Bob). I probably am the one who looks the most like Neil Patrick Harris (go ahead and prove me wrong if you disagree).
Despite my ego wanting it to be another way, the truth is, I shouldn’t be the whatever-est person here. Not if I’m doing things right.
The true value in the community we're building isn’t that it’s just an educational platform for me to share my what I've learned about humor and improv and life. Learning is only a side effect of connecting with like-minded awesome humans who have as much to teach me as I can teach them.
Of course, if I'm being honest, one of the things that helped me overcome my initial insecurity about not being the smartest person was finding solace in the fact that I must be somewhat smart to be connected to so many smart people.
It’s like what I tell Pretzel (my wife) when she (who has a Ph.D., is working on her postdoc, and works at the UN) is having moments of doubt: “You are amazing, and you know that’s true because I wouldn’t have married someone not amazing, so it’s proof that you are!”
Note: when someone is feeling doubt, the best thing to do is to make everything about yourself, right? Right??
So what does all of this mean?
Well, initially, our plan for this year was to use the newsletter to share weekly insights, drop in some humor, and mention our products every now and then (more then than now).
But that leaves the most important voice, yours, out of the equation. So now I want to find a way to better showcase, celebrate and serve all of you. The obvious question is how…
How should we showcase the incredible knowledge of this community? And, while we’re at it, what is one thing that could help you make 2024 the best year you’ve ever had (or at least pretty good)?
Until next time,
=Drew
PS. Some people make SMART goals, I make SMARTIES goals. That means, whenever I accomplish a goal, I eat some Smarties.
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