How to be Less Stupid
Everyone has their moments. Some are just ordinary stupid. Others achieve greatness.
Not all stupidity is created equal.
Four Flavors of Stupid:
#1. Stupid by neglect.
Sometimes dumb happens. You drive off with your coffee on the roof.
- Forgetful Stupid: Forgetting your anniversary.
- Lazy Stupid: Who needs instructions? Your new grill has parts left over after assembly.
- Distracted Stupid: Texting “Love you” to your boss.
#2. Stupid by intent.
This is premium-grade stupidity. You know better and go full steam ahead anyway.
- Defiant Stupid: “I know the sign says, ‘Wet Paint.’”
- Proud Stupid: Thinking you know how to do something you’ve never done.
- Spiteful Stupid: Quitting your job before you have another lined up.
#3. Stupid by emotion.
Feelings are fun. Until they’re painful.
- Angry Stupid: Storming out of a meeting and leaving your car keys on the table.
- Fearful Stupid: Deciding you’re going to die after googling your symptoms.
#4. Stupid by overthinking.
Sometimes you’re too smart for your own good.
- Paralysis Stupid: Holding six team meetings to decide where to put the new coffee machine.
- Overcomplicated Stupid: Creating a checklist for ordering pizza.
How to be Less Stupid:
#1. See yourself.
Find yourself in the above list. If you can’t, well…
#2. Pause.
When your brain screams, “DO IT NOW!” Count to five or at least two. People who pause look smart even if they’re stupid.
#3. Check for blind spots.
Ask: “Am I about to do this because I’m mad, lazy, or trying to impress someone?”
#4. Seek advice before you need it.
Talk to someone who has done it before. “I’m giving my first presentation, what are your suggestions?”
#5. Laugh at yourself.
It’s cheaper than therapy.
The most dangerous stupidity is thinking you’re immune to stupid.
Stay humble. Stay curious. Stay slightly suspicious of yourself.
What flavor of “stupid” seems most destructive to you?
What “less stupid” practice is most helpful to you?
If You Aren’t Dumb You’re Stupid
I like “pause” … I’ve become a great respecter of pause. When life moved from messages my admin assistant read to voicemails (about 35 years ago), I realized I could listen more intentionally and respond more fully by pausing to think through my answer.and strive to create more effective responses. Pause became a good friend.
Just think of the problems that could be avoided with a pause! Thanks Ken.
I think I have been stupid in all of those categories at one time or another (I know, right?!?). My best “How to be less stupid” advice is letting others know that I know I don’t know everything and I’m open to suggestions. Which, in my opinion encompasses 2, 3, and 4 above (of course I do know that at some point I am the one who has to make a decision, but hopefully by that time I’ve put in the necessary work so that I’m no longer being stupid). And I am a great believer in 5! Thanks for the inspired advice – I always love reading it.
Thanks Liz. The sentence, “I don’t know,” or “Maybe I’m wrong.” Go a long way to helping us be less stupid. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I didn’t mean to be anonymous above
For prolonged cases, “nothing gives so great an impression of infinity as stupidity.”
So true, Paul. We always seem to come up with new ways to do stupid things. All with sincerity of course.
Paul Vragel – Not intentionally anonymous re above.
This may be my favorite post of your EVER…
To those who know me, it’s obvious why that is so.
Anyway, thank you!
Thanks for the insight – and the laugh – today, Dan.
I had a good chuckle when I read “Angry Stupid: Storming out of a meeting and leaving your car keys on the table.”
– This is just the sort of thing I would do!
Another favorite is “Fearful Stupid: Deciding you’re going to die after googling your symptoms.”
– Often-heard when our kids were younger to de-escalate fear: “It’s OK. He won’t be 35 years old trying to figure out how to use a fork.”
What “less stupid” practice is most helpful to you? #2: Pause.
I like the uncomfortable silence method. I’ve learned that I can’t count to ten in a meeting. Someone fills the silence after 5-6 seconds. More importantly, conversation begins to flow.