I mentioned the very first time I ever brought The Question Game to this blog that in November, when I was in New York for a book launch party, my company got together for a nice dinner and we spent a big chunk of that night asking each other random questions.
(I did this again recently at a bar with some friends. Much different questions are asked when everyone's drunk, as I believe Mike asked at one point: what reality star would you beat in an alley if you could?)
Anyway, one question I think of time and again was one my co-worker Adrienne asked back in November, and it's one I'm going to ask you.
What's one thing you fear people will perceive you as?
I'm afraid people won't think I'm smart or capable.
It's why I suck at hearing/taking advice, and it's also why on any given day, I bite my tongue on topics I'd really like to talk about. I never worry you'll disagree with me or find me obnoxious or too opinionated. I worry you'll think I don't know what I'm talking about, that I'm not smart enough.
It's why I shy away from a variety of topics, including politics, religion, the housing market, stocks, and so on.
Maybe I'll stop caring one day and just talk about whatever I'd like. I hope that happens. I'm working on it.
It's exhausting.
Anyway, what would you answer with?