Get smarter-er: In Community #25

I always want to be the dumbest person in the room.

Hold on! Hear me out. 

Last week, I wrote about embracing the discomfort of the unknown – and what to do when you’re afraid to tackle something new.

Let’s face it. There’s the fear of the unknown, but there’s also a very real fear of something we’ve all felt at one point or another – looking just plain lost.

Whether it’s at a high school reunion, with family members, or at work, it’s ingrained in us from early on that we need to show up a certain way.

Smart.

We might surround ourselves with people who think like us and have experiences that match our own. It can help us feel great – and even connected – but also keeps us from being challenged.

It’s easier to feel smart in these situations.

👉🏽 What if we released some of that pressure on ourselves – especially when it comes to feeling like we need to have all the answers?

👉🏽 What if instead, we focused that energy on finding the ones who make us feel like we have a lot more to learn?

👉🏽 What if we sought out people who intimidate us, because they can inspire us rather than compete with us?

If I’m in a room, I’d rather it be a room where I’m hearing from people who know so much more than me on most topics. I want to surround myself with people who intimidate me, because it’s forced me to learn and see the world through different lenses.

And that brings me to this week’s Need to Know, with a mix of greats (including a GOAT) who continue to show us what they know and remind us all that the more we surround ourselves with the greats, the greater the blessings coming our way.

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Need To Know

💥 Palestinian rapper Saint Levant debuts at Coachella. Artists are using their platforms for change.

💥 Latine representation in entertainment is still too low. The National Hispanic Media Coalition is taking a stand.

💥 Simone Biles reminds us why she’s the GOAT. Her latest brand collab encourages us to pause.