Why We Pick Apart the People We Admire Most

I recently attended a conference hosting some of the top creatives in the world. I spent every jam-packed day of the conference learning, being inspired and trying to soak up any and all creative magic from those around me.

“Oh, you work for Facebook you say? I think I’ve heard of that…(internal freakout moment).”

I was inspired, yet equally intimidated. I learned many important things that will define the future of my work. But, as the speakers delivered home run after home run, I began to squirm in my seat.

Why am I here?

How can I call myself a designer? Those were real thoughts I started to have. These people are amazing at what they do—they’re amazing at what I do.

Photo Credit: Mikaela Hamilton

There was a section in my conference book to take notes, and even pages to illustrate thoughts. I wrote my notes illegibly small and illustrated my thoughts even smaller—just in case someone glanced at my page. Hopefully they would mistake whatever I’d scribbled as an ink splotch.

Then something shifted.

I began to compare myself to each speaker.

Meh. Not loving that font. I would have curled the “y” a touch more. Is that text centered?

I’d transformed into the 3rd judge from the left on American Idol—minus the salt and pepper chest hair spilling out of my v-neck t-shirt.

My observations had nothing to do with their font choice, hand lettering skills or use of the align tool. (But seriously designers, use the align tool.)

I was insecure.

I’ll admit, I’ve had and will continue to have many moments full of monumental insecurity on my own. But in the physical company of other people in my field of work, my insecurity took over my thoughts in a harmful and backwards way. I was judging, critiquing and comparing myself to the very people I admire most.

It’s important to not only pay attention when we find ourselves judging others, but to ask ourselves why we’re judging in the first place.

Judgment always points to an insecurity.

In this instance, my judgment was a reflection of the precise areas I was insecure about in my own work. And here’s the real problem: Insecurity robs us of the confidence it takes to become great at what we’ve been made to do.

Once I made this realization, it quickly shifted my perspective. It enabled me to fully enjoy being surrounded by people who are great at their craft. It was freeing to put down the scorecard and focus on what I can humbly learn where I am, right now, in the presence of good company.

But you have to pay attention.

When I feel insecurity creeping in, I try to identify those weak spots immediately. Acknowledging insecurity as soon as it bites and then reminding yourself who you really are not only helps to strengthen your personal character, but will also prevent you from missing out on valuable relationships. Shake off your insecurities so you can approach your work with confidence tomorrow.

Judgment will only get in the way if you let it.

Why We Pick Apart the People We Admire Most is a post from: Storyline Blog