Coming Up Short

One time, somebody said the following paragraph:

"The biggest problem with most people is that they won't admit their flaws. I would admit mine, if I had any."

This is funny, because it is obvious that everyone has flaws, and so he really does have something to admit to. I'm sure you've figured that out. Except for the second sentence, this is a true statement. No one wants to admit where they come short of perfection.

Why is that? Well, of course, because no one wants to look less than perfect. But in fact, admitting to a mistake doesn't actually make a person appear less good. Everyone is imperfect, and everyone knows that everyone else is imperfect. So just because you don't mention your imperfections doesn't mean that people think you don't have them.

Here's the truth: if you can humbly admit to the places where you come up short, other people will actually think of you in higher regard because you can admit to flaws.

This doesn't mean you should walk around telling everyone everything you've ever done wrong, but it does mean that there is no reason to be afraid of telling the truth. Of course, that's easier for me to say since I don't ever make mistakes, right?