Just like diamond sparkles when light hits it, showing its superior cut and clarity– smart people have evidence of their brilliance.

Think back to elementary school when a teacher assigned a math problem, you supplied the answer, and the teacher marked it wrong.

Or maybe your teacher wasn’t so harsh and instead gave you partial credit for supplying an answer.

Do you remember her remarks next to the math problem?

Did it say something like that?

“didn’t show your work.”

Showing your work allowed the teacher to see her own reflection in your level of understanding of the concepts she shared.

Years later, when you or others still seem to be able to pull answers out of the butt – and others label you “the smart ones”; do you gloat over the accolade, or does it frustrate you because you have nothing to show for your alleged brilliance?

If you’re anything like me, it frustrates you to no end because smart people show their work.

They rarely say

“I’m, like, a smart person”

they don’t have to; there’s evidence.

“Show your work” is the best direction a teacher could have given me.

Not only is it humbling when you find yourself becoming a narcissist, but it also allows you not to be bamboozled by the ole razzle-dazzle…

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

(FYI: Teacher Appreciation Day was Tuesday, May 9, 2017.   I had this stuck in my draft folder. smh)