Hubris:
Excessive pride, presumption or arrogance (originally toward the gods).
“It now appears that the world is filled with people who believe that everyone should be interested in everything they have to say about anything – people who tweet, you might call them. I find this so astonishing, my own hubris pales in comparison.”
– Alice McDermott.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room, shall we?
Who the heck do I think I am that sharing sixty five thoughts on anything would interest anyone?
How big is my ego that I might expect anyone to care?
I have to acknowledge that. Honestly, I hope that someone will care. Today, tomorrow, some day long from now, one part of putting down these thoughts is that they may be of value to someone, somewhere.
And while I think they could be of value, I have no right to believe that they will be.
Realistically, few will care. Few will read. Few will be truly interested.
Thus, I have to be even more honest and say: that’s OK. I do this for myself, with hope but with little expectation.
Everyone who creates does so for either of two reasons: they’re driven to, or they’re trying to do it for others. The latter case breaks down a little further: those who do it for the return (money, applause, recognition), and those who do it as a gift (helping others, leaving a legacy, making the world a better place). With my personal work, such as this, I aspire to the latter. For my ‘day job’, Ask Leo!, I use the return to measure my success at producing something of value for others.
The brutal truth, though, is that regardless of the reason for producing something, I have to feel capable and at least somewhat confident I can produce it. Otherwise I wouldn’t. There’s definitely some amount of pride required — in myself, my abilities, or what I produce — to have the courage to unleash it on the world.
Especially these days, where the world is full of naysayers, trolls, and hecklers. You need a thick skin to publish online. To leverage the definition above, it means it requires a certain amount of pride, presumption, and perhaps even a little arrogance.
It’s necessary for online survival.
If there’s any takeaway from today’s thought, it’s that: the world requires you have a certain amount of confidence in order to accomplish just about anything.
Where real judgement begins is at the word “excessive.”
It remains to be seen whether my exercise will push the boundary of “excessive pride, presumption or arrogance”. I suspect every reader will have their own opinion.
Who do I think I am? I’m just a guy, humbly (I hope) writing some thoughts I consider worth writing, hoping that someday, someone, somewhere will find a little value.
Only time will tell.
I care and even moreso, I have always been interested in what you say and appreciate it.
BOSS – FAWNER – ANGER – INFERIOR – WRY – CONFUSED.
The figures in your image reminded me of some of the “opportunities” we observe that help us move to where we think we want to be.
I care Leo. Thanks for all you do. I’m a little more computer literate because of you.
I too, care, Leo. I also am a bit more computer literate….well, at least I’ve not actually beat it with a ballpeen hammer. I admire your thoughts and even like your dogs. I passed that age 7 years ago. Glad you are loaded for the naysayers, but hope they tune in somewhere else.
Thanks for all you do.
Today 7 July is my birthday. If I “borrow” your 65 thoughts then I will only have to make up seven more to have my own list.
After following you for 10+ years you are one of my friends. I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks. Terry
I care, Leo. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What you are writing, creating, is very valuable.
Your writing reminds me of what Ryan Holiday writes in “Ego is the Enemy”: “Whatever happens next, ego is the enemy”. Doing things that benefit others, and ourselves, does not have to be driven by ego. Providing value to others does not mean there is ego or arrogance involved. Thank you for writing.
Leo!! I always read your stuff…. don’ comment much because I figure loads of others will…. and I am always late anyway. Nut I do read them. And agree and disagree…. and sometimes I wonder “what was he thinking”? BUT I DO READ YOUR STUFF!!!!