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😳 How could I be so stupid?

😳 How could I be so stupid?

A friendly guide to NOT being a dumbass

Gordana from Collabwriting
January 24, 2025

’’How could I be so stupid?" 😠

I said to myself this after sending an email to a group of people who had unsubscribed.

It was a mistake, not intentional, but honestly, I was really upset about it.

Ever had a moment like that when you ask yourself, "How could I be so stupid?"

Or when life just feels too overwhelming, and Einstein’s theory of relativity seems like total gibberish?

Congrats! 👏🏼

If you answered yes, you’re probably smarter than you think. You’re self-aware enough to know how much you don’t know. (And trust me, that’s rare these days.)

But here’s the catch:

The truly stupid - the stubborn, know-it-all types - think they’ve got life all figured out. You can’t argue with them, educate them, or even speak slowly enough to get through.

They’re like Teflon for facts. And they are making life harder for the rest of us.

So, how do you avoid joining their ranks?

Here’s the cheat sheet:

1st step - Know what stupidity actually is

Stupidity boils down to two things:

Ignoring important information (like stop signs or warnings not to wrestle your younger brother).
Lacking common sense (yes, putting metal in the microwave is really dumb).

Don’t rush big decisions or ignore warnings.

⚠️ The takeaway? Pay attention to crucial info, folks.

2nd step - Stop thinking you’re always right

People who think they know everything stop learning.

Enter the Dunning-Kruger effect: dumb people are too dumb to realize they’re dumb.

Meanwhile, smart people keep reflecting, finding gaps in their knowledge, and improving.

Only the truly wise know how much they don’t know.

💡 Moral of the story: Be a curious fool, not a smug genius.

3rd step - Expand your brainpower

Read more (yes, even those books with pictures - they're basically adult comics, right?)
Hang out with people smarter than you (don't worry, it's not contagious).
Replace doom-scrolling with a podcast or two (your brain will thank you).

All the knowledge in the world is bigger, I know. This is just a little visual.

4th step - Slow down

Stress and ego are the ultimate stupidity triggers. ✂️

❝

Stupidity is overlooking or dismissing conspicuously crucial information.

Adam Robinson

Don’t make decisions in a rush, ignore red flags, or let your emotions steer the wheel.

Take a breath. Think. Then act. 🧘🏼‍♀️

Final brainwave 🧠

Believing you’re stupid isn’t an insult; it’s a superpower. It means you’re open to learning, growing, and improving.

So, wear your humble hat with pride - and maybe forward this newsletter to your “know-it-all” friend. You know the one. 😉

Cheers to being just the right amount of smart!

Want more brain food? 🍴

Here it is:

⏰ Decrease time to value
📽️ Six films to watch this week
🎡 Knowledge management cycle - We simplify this process

If you come across an article, picture, meme, or anything else you think is useful, don’t hesitate to share it with us.