I spoke to a running club the other day. It was fun to be among a group where everyone shares the same passion. What struck me though, was that so many of the runners, women especially, told me how ‘not fast’ they were. Almost all of them are Boston Qualifiers. I know speed is relative, but do you consider someone who can run a BQ fast? I do. Certainly not slow.
Face it, lots of us tend to downplay our awesome. Like we’re afraid we’ll be accused of having an overblown ego or something. Of course there’s much to be said for humility and we learn early on that it’s not nice to go around bragging. The recent Run Like a Girl ad campaign from the Superbowl showed us that if anything, girls need more confidence in their lives.
But the message isn’t just about running or sports. I’ve loved seeing all the examples of Run Like a Girl women have shared on Facebook and Instagram, but it goes far beyond that. The main reason I love sports is that it gives me confidence that carries over into other aspects of my life.
Let’s take this message beyond running and being fast or not. Maybe you’re fabulously organized. A great leader. A creative thinker. A loving, giving person. Have a fantastic work ethic. Whatever makes you awesome, celebrate that. Own your fast. Own your awesome. Be proud of it.
Do you tend to minimize your accomplishments?
I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
I just finished Lean In and it made me acutely aware of how often I do this!
Yep, I do this all the time.
Own your awesome — love that! I definitely have a tendency to downplay my accomplishments, but I’m trying to get better at catching myself doing it and counteracting those thoughts with a “heck noooo… I’m freaking awesome!” It’s a work in progress, but I think I’m getting better 😉
I do! I downplay them for many of the reasons you mention— I don’t want to get a big head, or seem like I’m bragging. So many people around me are so much faster, that sometimes I really do feel slow, but the truth is, I am a decent runner! I have qualified for Boston 4 times, but many people have mentioned in a round about way, that the only reason I qualified is because I’m older and my OT’s times are much more realistic. I guess, I just have always believed them. We shouldn’t downplay our successes!
LOVE this post Marcia!!! I used to be like this but especially with age & acknowledging that I am not quite what I was, I am OK with what I do now cause I know it is great for me & this time in my life! 🙂
I know I was raised not to be boastful, which led to me always cowering in the corner rather than celebrating my achievements. I just ran my first half marathon, having just started running in September. I was afraid to tell people I was training (yep, that “not fast” thing) and then blew it off as “only a half.” Darn it, I finished in a respectable 2:03 at 38 years old. I’m stinkin’ proud. THANK YOU for encouraging all of us who are afraid to congratulate ourselves 🙂
Um, I’m the gal who can’t call herself a runner. I think a lot of it has to do how we were raised – it’s not nice to brag, etc. A BQ-er is very fast in my book! And thanks, I will Own My Awesome!!
Love this post. Yes, I think I do this too.
Amen! I always find myself downplaying accomplishments–I’ve thought quite a bit about it and I think one reason is that females are taught to be modest, to never speak up about what they’ve accomplished. I don’t know. But yes, it needs to change!
Love this Marcia! Why can’t we be proud of our accomplishments no matter what they are? As far as the ladies who are BQ’s and say they aren’t fast, all I have to say is “WHAT?!”
Of course I do. But I have to admit that I am really digging this yoga challenge I’m participating in because I feel like that is something I’m good at. It’s been fun and rewarding to see my poses photographed. I’ve never watched myself do yoga before!
I used to do this, but my old boss taught me to call out my successes to my management because it helps keep them in the loop and build your perception within your organization. Now I like to loop in my bosses to any big success, I think it’s important to be your own advocate because no one else is going to do it for you!
Oh my gosh, I JUST was scolded for doing this by a friend ten minutes before reading this! Why do we do it?
I think it is so ingrained in us to “not brag” that we end up going the opposite direction and acting like nothing we do is a big deal.
I think there is also that worry of putting others down without meaning to if we talk about our own accomplishments. It is one of those lines that is hard to find the right balance.
I sometimes use the “just” without realizing it. I am working on that. No more.
How much did you run?
Oh, just 10 miles.
No more just.
So true, Marcia! I feel like in my 40s I have finally stopped minimizing my accomplishments and my abilities. I still catch myself though. The thing that I realize is that by down playing my own abilities, I feel like I can inadvertently squash some one else’s confidence – especially in running. My “not so great” half marathon could be faster than someone’s dream race.
How do you teach your girls to have confidence and to balance with being gracious?
Standing and applauding in complete agreement! Love this Marcia!
Of course I underplay achievements. Most of us do. But I am getting better at accepting a compliment these days and I think that’s a step in the right direction.
I absolutely underplay my achievements, and I don’t know why. I even have a hard time taking a compliment! Great post!
YESSSS I am soooo tired of people saying they aren’t fast, when A they are and B it’s all relative.
I nEEded that quote…my body has definitely been listening to some negative chatter and telling me that.
I just wrote a post kindasorta about this too! I can accept compliments, but I constantly downplay all my achievements–it’s something I really need to work on!
way guilty. especially after qualifying this year (i usually follow with only by 51 seconds and not sure i will get in). i just feel like i’m bragging even though i should be proud!