“Unless your name is Google, stop acting like you know everything.” – PictureQuotes.com
First, let me start off by saying the quote above is priceless! Definitely t-shirt worthy.
With that in mind, for all those know-it-alls out there (and you know who you are) enough already! It’s getting harder and harder for the humbler beings of this world to sit back and smile while you carrying on with undeserving authority.
You might think you’re very well adjusted, but let’s be real – you’ve got issues which cause your know-it-all syndrome. But your issues do not need to become my issues.
So what are the schools of thought on know-it-alls? It’s simple really.
Diane Barth (LCSW) offers a clear explanation on PsychologyToday.com.
- There’s an underlying insecurity.
When speaking of one of her patients she’d be observing for some time in both public and one-on-one situations Barth discovered, “Although a successful business woman, attractive and physically fit, she secretly always felt that she was a fake and was going to be found out. So she felt like she had to know everything and had to fend off any and all suggestions that might make it look like she was out of the loop or uneducated – even if she would have no reason for knowing it.”
- There’s a genuine sense of superiority.
From Barth: “I have known a number of know-it-alls who genuinely believe that they know more about everything than anyone else can possibly. They simply are not interested in what others might have to tell them, because they believe that they already have the information.”
So where do you fit in?
Honestly, I think know-it-alls are probably a combination – though admittedly I have no patience left for those that lean more towards #2.
Life is far too short and relationships are much too valuable to allow this kind of know-it-all mentality to permeate one’s life.
But I’ve got a news flash for you. One of these days you’ll find there are people out there who know more than you do. Who are these people? They’re your friends, family members and colleagues who’ve finally wised up and realized the only thing you bring to the relationship is a big fat ego.
But worry not oh know-it-alls of the world. Your superior intelligence should have no trouble figuring out why no one comes to see you anymore.
