Do people make fun of you? Are you being underestimated by others, generally? Do people consider you to be a fool? If yes, then Congrats! You are on the right track.
We are generally swayed by other people’s remarks on our personality, ability or intelligence. We want others to praise us and we want people to consider us superhuman. Some of us tend to praise ourselves whenever get the opportunity or we create moments deliberately while talking to friends or relatives where we can promote ourselves. Often, we want unnecessary attention that we may not even deserve. I think tveryone, including me, does this.
But, if you manage to get praise from everyone, whether it is fake or real, you are in big trouble. I think if everyone considers us good at something, it means they expect us to excel at everything all the time. This creates pressure on us to perform exceptionally well all the time; this immense pressure to be extraordinary can take a toll and might lead to mental illness. We get demotivated when we can’t perform at par with the expectations of society. The pain of failing gets doubled. We can be good at doing something, but we can’t always be perfect at it. Nobody is invincible and every one tastes failure in life. Then why should we make others expect something from us?
Another thing is that praise can make us overconfident and egoistic. If we keep saying in our social circle or make others feel that “Main math me genius hoo, maine yeah achieve kiya hai, main woh kar sakta hoon, main multi-tasker hoon etc. (I am a genius at maths, I have achieved this, I can do that, I am a multitasker etc.)”, then it may sway you into the ignorance that nobody can defeat you, at least among your peers.
In this case, your chances of improvement die. You keep ignoring the advice given by your well-wishers. You seem to be on top of the world. You continue to live in a sweet illusion and you will not even know that your close friend has toppled you in the race. Society’s arrows will be pointed at you since may have already declared your success in advance. I experienced it personally during my school days and learned a lesson.
If your image is very low in the eyes of society, then it’s a great chance for you to show them your value through your actions. Let your actions speak rather than your words. Nobody gets surprised when a self-proclaimed topper tops another exam. But, when an unknown failure tops an exam unexpectedly, he/she becomes the talk of the town.
If you are considered a fool very often, you would be more motivated to do something better. Always avoid making people praise you because it’s a drug which may lead you to sink. Always try to avoid moments when somebody praises you. Don’t mind if you don’t get the attention because it’s good to work silently without any pressure. Your actions will automatically reach people. Every successful person today was once mocked by someone earlier. Relax and be modest every time you get appreciation. Always tell your mind that you are not the best at anything and that you are just a normal human being.
If people mock at your fashion style, your way of speaking, your lifestyle or even if they doubt your knowledge or IQ, don’t get offended. Don’t think ‘Jab me success paoonga tab isko jawaab doonga’. ( My success will answer them). It will make you calm and keep you down to earth. Do your work peacefully and silently and make yourself happy.
Even if you lose, nobody will point at you much and you can get yourself prepared for the next battle easily. Stay from this selfish society that worships only winners. If today it appreciates you, tomorrow it may insult you because nobody is a permanent winner or loser. There is no respect for losers. Get respect for yourself in your eyes alone. That’s it.
I am neither a philosopher nor an expert in something. These are my personal views and are not the ultimate truth. It may work for you or may not. But I feel that it is worth trying.