Confidence and Arrogance: A Thin Red Line
There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and it is often blurred by our misjudgment, emotional goggles, or a myriad of other reasons. Something got lost on the way of evolution, and we are rendered prone to seeking shortcuts and easy ways out. Hell, if others do it, why should we be any different? Many follow the line of least resistance, and if you are satisfied with being one of many, go ahead. Just know that arrogance is the weapon of the weak, a tool for building your persona on quicksand.
The Origin Story
The place of origin, from which two sentiments draw strength, is a good place to start. Namely, the cornerstone of confidence is satisfaction with yourself, a sense of being comfortable in your own skin. On the other hand, the birthplace of arrogance is the urge to diminish others due to your own insecurity. So, the two are at the opposite ends of the spectrum, and the gap between them is wider than the Grand Canyon.
Therefore, the better you feel about yourself, the more confident you are. Sadly, things are not always as simple. The discussion often comes down to the question of what the alpha male is all about. Is it possible to stay ahead of the pack without showing your teeth and being ready to bite? Well, confident males stick to their guns, and are not hesitant to shoot from the hip. However, they pick their targets carefully, and do not wage a never-ending war with the world. They are able to see the best in others and condemn only the worst in people.
Likewise, confidence does not include being cocky about your qualities, or desperate about flaws. You should bring value to the world around you, be it through helping others, offering them advice, or simply lending an ear when need be. You ought to shine an inspiring light onto others, lead by example, and bite the bullet if need be. Alas, even then, other people can perceive this personal trait as arrogance. Indeed, confidence is a slippery slope, and before you know it, you can easily fall into the pitfall of arrogance.
Blowing Smoke
In a sense, arrogance is an embodiment of the notion: fake it and you will make it. However, trying to fake confidence is a futile effort. It simply does not work that way, even if you sometimes manage to cunningly deceive others. In life, you have to be prepared to do the next hard thing. However, arrogant people strive desperately to convince others of their worth, lift themselves up, and conceal their shortcoming. Their worst nightmare is hearing the bitter truth – that they are not at all times the best of the bunch.
Unlike confident individuals, arrogant people are not able to embrace constructive criticism, and become defensive in its presence. Arrogance is blind and does not see critique as a stepping stone towards being the best version of yourself. The positive change should come from the power of decisions and action, not external recognition. These changes will add value to your life and help you make a difference every time you get out of bed. There are many easy lifestyle changes that will take you a long way in boosting your self-esteem and energy levels.
Still, you do not have to be the best. Recognize the time when you should take center stage, and when it is time to sit and join a round of applause. Pain, failure, and suffering do not end the world. Only death does. So, until your final hour, you must stand like a man, and rightfully give some back. When everything seems to be working against you, that is when you are put to the true test. Every day is a battle, and believe it or not, there is no limit to the amount of blows us males can withstand.
Root cause
Confidence is rooted in an internal acceptance of oneself, unlike the fragile external workings of arrogance. Natural credence is worn like a second skin, a shiny armor of a true knight. Confidence comes with trust, not second-guesses, and with ease, rather than resistance. You do not need others to tap you on the shoulder and serve sugarcoated verbal meals every day. Always bear in mind that arrogance and confidence are worlds apart, yet closer than we would like. So, let us have the strength to be confident, the modesty to avoid arrogance, and the wisdom to know the difference.
See related article: What Should a Man Take Pride in Today
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