I just tweeted something along these lines:
Successful people are either very loved or very hated; nobody ever got noticed for being “liked”.
I’ve always been, and will always be, a sensitive person. This sensitivity, however, swings both ways.
There are days I will be heartbroken over a less than positive critique on an article I wrote for work; and there have been days when knowing that I’m the least-favored editor in the room gives me a flash of confidence. Either way, I’m noticed.
What I don’t like being is “liked“.
Hate me or love me but please, please, don’t just “like” me!
Nobody remembers the concert performance they liked – but, ah, the show they loved because the band sounded syncopated and well rehearsed, while delivering an entertaining rendition of your favorite songs… now that you remember.
You also remember that kid you hated in high school. The one who pushed kids in the halls and never said anything intelligent in class, let alone gave you a nod. You’ll remember that kid’s name. But what about the kid who loaned you a pencil right before your final exam that you were nearly late for – what about that kid?
My point isn’t to be so black and white as “love” or “hate” as it is to ask, why just be gray? Being remembered will get you somewhere; being less than optimal at everything you do, on the other hand, will simply get you forgotten.
Join the conversation: When it comes to standing out in a crowd: Be black or white (loved/hated) or be gray (a smudge of the two)?
*I’m going to file this under, “Things I learned at 29.”
I don’t know, I think being loved or hated in life is not such a good thing (of course you need love from certain people). Have you ever had those relationships with friends where you just can’t get enough of them ad pretty soon, you’ve just had too much? I think shades of gray are good…
I’m pretty sure I fall in the “liked” category. People don’t rave about me, and they don’t really dislike me. It works.
Shrugs. I remembered the kid who loaned me Romeo&Juliet for our open book English exam. In fact, I dated him for a year and gave him my V-Card.. so ..yeah.
I agree. I am way too sensitive like you. I was always a very clam and sweet girl in school. One of my very good friends right now tells me, he dint know i was in his class, let alone school :P. So, being gray is what i will aim for :P.
You personally; love you in a Platonic way.
Generally, I’d agree that there are far too many people around who are just “meh” people.
That reminds me of a conversation I had with my older sister last week. She was sulking, saying I only ever remember the times in our childhood when she was mean to me, not all the times when she wasn’t.
Yes, I definitely remember the bad over the mediocre!
I totally agree with the “cute” thing – I get called that often and I find it annoying because people are just saying it because I’m short and have a chubby face so I look young. I mean cute is better than other words, but I’m a grown-up, cute is for puppies and little girls in easter dresses. It would be nice to hear pretty or beautiful or something similar. I’m definitely more in the gray area in most areas of my life I would say – I have problems being confident a lot of the time. But it’s something I’m always working on because I don’t want to be forgettable either!
one thing I hate, along the lines of what “Lovesick Fool” said…I HATE when guys say a girl is “cute”. It’s not like you’re talking about a pomeranian….Say Pretty, beautiful!
Hmmmm I guess I’m more of a between gray or white. Have you ever had random strangers run up to you screaming “OMG SHE’S CUTE!!!” and hug you like those huge display bears?