Keep it to Yourself

For some people humbleness, is an acquired taste that often comes with side order of crow. In corporate America, college degrees seem a popular item on the menu much to the chagrin of those of us that must rub elbows with these unknowing diners.

If I am not hiring you or seeking advice, I don't give a damn about your college degree. Most people do not care about your educational accomplishments or want to hear about unless they are related to you and even then, asides from your mother or father, that is not a sure bet.

This 2012 and announcing your college credentials to the world is considered bad taste, country and worst of all, uneducated. People that have it--don't announce it and that goes for everything from money and cars to where they live or the size of their house. In my neighborhood we have a saying, "you better pull over and ask somebody." It means to error on the side of caution or "look before you leap."

Whether you know it or not many, not some, many of the people you regale with tidings of your educational accomplishment have degrees, often more than one and often advanced degrees, again sometimes several. You have a BMW? So do a lot of people. You make six figures? Again, so do a lot of people and even if they don't, they don't want to hear about yours, especially from you.

I know it's hard to be humble when you're great as you, but when you see people whispering don't think for a moment they are talking about you--know it! They are talking about what an ass you are, which is probably the nicest thing they'll say. When we were kids, anytime were about to go out in public my mother used tell us to "act like you've been some place." That meant, keep our mouths shut or don't say anything that reveal our ignorance.

My father made it very clear when he told us, "It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." That advice served me well. I had more than my share of opportunities to make a fool of myself but bragging on myself or what I had or had not done was held to a minimum thanks to my parents.

By the way, a 2.9 GPA is a high "C." In other words, it is the least expected. As person from the sales world, 100% of what you're supposed to sell is what is expected. It is a "C." In other words, it is not bragging material just as a college degree isn't. It only counts to the receivers, those who helped or family, and to those that think it "might" make for a good employee. Otherwise, no one gives a rats ass.