#35: THE DOWNSIDES OF BEING BRILLIANT

In life, most things have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Even eating, if done excessively, is detrimental to ones health. In fact, being the brilliant one in a room also has its ups and downs. 

We all are acquainted with the benefits which characterise the life of a brilliant mind. But deep down, what could be the possible disbenefits that comes with such privilege? 

1. MOST PEOPLE THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING

As a brilliant mind, most people will see you as a master of all. Obviously, that's a wrong notion. Brilliant people are brilliant in their respective fields, not in every field.

Fact is, one can't know everything. One can only know a reasonable number of things. We all have our areas of competence, areas in which we are remarkably good at. People often forget that and end up making remarks like “Oh, that guy? He knows everything.”

When people think you know everything, and you let it get into your head to the extent that you start trying to keep up with that imposed impression, it becomes disadvantageous to you, the brilliant one.

Instead of focusing on who you are or who you desire to become, chances are you'll end up relegating yourself to becoming a people-pleaser who likes to always shine the light of his intellectual prowess on the ignorance of others.

As such you start inflating your ego and also unnecessarily attracting attention to yourself.

This, unfortunately, can bleed over to other things (as mentioned in point two and three below).

2. THE EVIL EYE

Most people are not comfortable with being in the midst of people who are better than them. They find such people intimidating. As a result, they end up becoming green-eyed monsters who are resentful of others achievements.

Success, in whatever way, attracts attention. You get to have people who admire you and wish to be like you. On the other hand, you get to have people who will hate you for even smiling. (okay, that's stupid.)

I refer to such people as the evil eye. You must be wary of such people. They can do anything just to see that they reduce your worth. In their hearts is a disease, like a cankerworm, that's eating up their ethical compass.

Apparently, you worked hard to get to where you are. Perhaps you think you've offended no one on your way up. Yes, you could do that and still, not everyone will be happy you've reached the level you are.

The complexity of man is much. You shouldn't rule out this point. Thus, take due cognisance of such people. Otherwise, they'll become disadvantageous to your life in various proportions.

3.EGO INFLATION

A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see. - C.S. LEWIS

There's this complacency that comes with being the brilliant one. You get to feel that you're better than everyone. Brilliance, in some type of way, inflates your sense of importance. 

But the moment you start feeling too important is the moment your failure begins—arrogance, pride, and whatnot will set in. This makes you blind to your mistakes, weaknesses, which, certainly, is disadvantageous to your progress as a person.

The best thing to do is to approach life as a process of learning continually. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.” 

This approach is better because it keeps your humility and humbleness in check.

SO WHAT'S THE WAY FORWARD?

Perhaps you're scared already of being brilliant after reading all this. Well, if you're are, stay put. 

You see, as I said earlier, nearly everything in life has its upsides and downsides. Having known that, the best thing to do in this case is to manage yourself and also the people you interact with, in a clever way.

I know you are not really clear as to how to go about this but don't worry. It's simple. You just have to:

1. Occasionally dampen your brilliance when interacting with people. Don't show that you always have an input, answer or submission.

Just let others take the credit sometimes while you enjoy the free flow of the conversation. This requires a conscious effort because it pains to know and not to say it. 

2. Consciously humble yourself whenever you start feeling too important. As such, be humble as ever but know your value.

3. Ultimately, ask for protection against all the challenges and/or disadvantages that comes with the privilege of being a brilliant mind from your Lord.

After doing everything possible to be the best you can be, just know that you can't fully control what people see you as or what they think of you. 

Thus, be yourself. Nonetheless, cautiously and consciously evaluate yourself so as not create problems for yourself all in the name of being yourself—moderation is key.