Last week, we discussed candor, specifically with oneself. Hopefully, it was a reflective experience for you. If it wasn’t, go read it again, because you did it wrong.
This week, I’d like to discuss an experience I had a few weeks ago that led to a rather interesting week afterward.
Candor Over Bootlicking
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through this one online platform I use to find work. One fellow was looking for someone to write on some finance topics, and he asked that applicants include the sentence “I dream of writing about personal finance!” at the start of their cover letter.
Being in a cheeky mood, I applied. The cover letter started off something like this:
“I dream of writing about personal finance!
Actually, that isn’t completely true. In fact, I’d be a bit worried about anyone who dreamed of such a thing.”
I then went on to describe my skills and such. I didn’t much care if I got the gig. I just applied because I wanted to rub the guy’s pretentiousness in his own face.
The next I heard from the guy was, “I look forward to working with you.” Apparently, candor is superior to bootlicking.
Genuineness Over Pandering
It’s something I’ve noticed various times in the course of my writing career. At some point, I’ll be so fed up with whatever dry topic I’m writing on that I go and mock the client’s voice in the content. I’m straight up parodying them, taking their salesy vibe and pushing it to extremes that only barely fall short of total absurdity.
The feedback I usually get on these pieces is, “We loved it! Can you write more for us?”
You’d think people would be able to tell when you’re mocking them. Maybe in person they can, but in writing it’s a lot harder, apparently.
Why do they like it though? Maybe it’s because I’m not trying to force myself into a preconceived mold. I’m giving my honest voice (which happens to be born of low-key loathing for the client), and so it comes across as genuine. In a world full of people trying to conform to this or that norm (or conform to the norm of conforming to no norms at all, which is in itself a form of norm these days), an honest, genuine voice is refreshing.
Your Honest Self
Whether you’re job hunting, dating, selling useless products, trying to make friends, or doing anything else that involves interacting with people, it’s in your best interest to be genuine. Whatever ulterior motives you have should be discarded. Any pretense you think you need is a flimsy mask that will crumple under the slightest amount of stress. Be true to your truest self, and watch the world react in awe.
This doesn’t mean you should be rude to people. Be genuine, but also be considerate of others. Learn to be your best self, and work to improve yourself all the time. Be forthcoming about your flaws and apologize for mistakes, but do not try to hide them when they arise.
You may find that those you offend come back later and apologize for getting mad, and that could well be a result of your own candor about your shortcomings. Frankly forgive them because they are only as flawed as you are.
Be your most honest self, both during quiet times of introspection as well as in your interactions with others.
At the very least, you won’t have to keep track of the lies you’d otherwise tell.
Thoughts? Feelings? Impressions? Let me know in the comments! Also, like and share the crap out of this, because it needs it. All proceeds go toward open mockery of the establishment and getting paid for it. Really.