It is elementary to think that you have everything figured out. A lot of people have this mindset. We have always had that kid in class who raises their hand for every question, even if they don’t know the answer.
We all know people in our lives who have a solution for every question they are asked. You rarely hear them say, “I don’t know,” and they can start rambling about information they don’t fully understand.
We have all crossed paths with a typical know-it-all. You would assume that you could spot a know-it-all from a mile away, but I believe that some know-it-alls keep quiet and lurk in the darkness.
They have a tendency to gaslight others subconsciously, interrupt others when talking, and, worse of all, never admit that they are wrong.
I was a know-it-all for almost all of grade school. On report cards, my teachers used to say I was close-minded and had a tendency to be bossy towards my peers.
Before you make fun of me, you have to realize that I was the first-born daughter, granddaughter, and niece; what do you expect? That’s a recipe for disaster.
Although it is hard to admit, I was your typical know-it-all. I now look back at my 4th-grade self and laugh.
Luckily, I grew out of my awkward and cringey know-it-all phase. But because of my experience in the field, I knew how to sniff one out a know-it-all.
In Introductory Psychology, I was introduced to the phenomenon of the Dunning-Kruger effect.
This phenomenon is by which those least competent or knowledgeable overestimate their skills, and the most qualified and knowledgeable tend to be less confident in their wisdom of a subject.
As I’ve gotten older and am on the brink of adulthood, I have discovered that I know nothing. Although this might make me seem like I am secretly a genius and extremely humble about it, I am actually serious.
There is absolutely no one on this earth who has all the knowledge in a certain area of study, let alone all of them. As a sophomore in college, I can confidently say I am nowhere close to knowing 5% of all knowledge.
At first glance, that thought can be frightening; however, the realization can be so freeing and eye-opening.
Prior to graduating high school, I thought I had it all figured out. I came to Creighton as an Accounting and Finance major, thinking I would attend law school one day. I took one accounting class and discovered that it is the opposite of what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Life is a crazy thing, and although it is great to think that we have it all figured out, soon enough, something comes along and changes the narrative.
The thought that you don’t know anything is so scary; believe me, I know.
However, once you finally sit back and realize that it means there is so much room to learn and grow, life seems a little bit bigger but way more exciting.