“Part of Being Smart is Knowing What You’re Dumb At”

That was long before it was politically incorrect to use the word Dumb. And it is a statement full of old-fashioned wisdom. It pays to understand what our weaknesses are; because by knowing, we can compensate for them. We also need to understand that as our lives evolve; what we’re “dumb” at changes. 

When we are young and first entering the work force, what we’re dumb at may simply be a lack of experience. We haven’t “been there, done that” yet and what we expect may clash with reality. Working is generally a little tougher than school and the responsibilities are greater. You have been learning for the past 12 to 16 years of your life however, and continuing to learn on the job should not be a difficult transition.

As we get a little older, we expect a lot of ourselves and yet we are insecure. We have a need to show how much we know and really hate to admit what we don’t know. We don’t want to look “dumb”. This is a time in our lives when we need to practice saying, "I’m not familiar with that.” And, “Would you explain that to me?” It's difficult, we want to be seen as the expert and we’d rather not be taught anything at this stage of the game. Yet, allowing others to “teach you”, (at any age) is a privilege and delight for them, and an easy gift to give, once you relax and understand they won’t think less of you. Actually, the only time people think less of a person for some lack of knowledge is when they try to fake it. When you act like you understand a situation or topic and you really don’t, you will inevitably be caught. Then you will look dumb. Eventually, we all reach a place in our lifetime when learning is such a joy that we eagerly admit to what we don’t know and search for someone to enlighten us.

 Whenever we face new circumstances, or a transitional time in our lives we need to take stock; what are we dumb at? Where will our lack of knowledge or understanding be a problem for us? What do we have to learn to be able to flourish in this situation? Accept that there will always be something we’re dumb at – and make learning fun.