Lessons learned from a very brief career as a valet

As humans, overconfidence is one of the biggest cognitive biases we face. So when you’re tackling a problem, be sure to bring a healthy dose of humility.

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Consider this

According to researchers at Boston University, being humble plays a big role when it comes to mental health. They found that psychotherapy clients who scored higher in humility demonstrated better psychosocial functioning. Specifically, individuals who were more willing to acknowledge their limitations and learn from others experienced improvements in mental health during therapy.

The study highlights the significant role of self-awareness, showing how recognizing your strengths and weaknesses can help you navigate adversity more effectively.

Reflection questions

1. How do you define humility in your own life, and how has that definition evolved over time?
   
2. Can you think of a time when being humble helped you bounce back from a difficult situation? What happened?
   
3. In what ways can humility strengthen relationships during challenging times?
   
4. Have you ever mistaken humility for weakness — or seen someone else do that? How did that affect the situation?
   
5. How does humility influence the way we seek help or accept support during times of stress or adversity?
   
6. What’s the relationship between humility and self-awareness when facing failure or setbacks?
   
7. How can humility help us learn from criticism or feedback, especially when we’re already feeling discouraged?
   
8. What role does humility play in leadership or mentorship during difficult times?
   
9. Is it harder to be humble when things are going well or when things are falling apart? Why?
   
10. What practices or habits help you stay grounded and humble when you’re trying to stay resilient?

Try this

Turn ideas into action with these suggested activities from our Resilience Toolbox.

More modules

Module 1. Making your own luck: Lessons learned from a coin flip

Module 2. Improving adaptability: Lessons learned from an absurd Christmas tree

Module 3. Embracing teamwork: Lessons learned from a rogue haybale

Module 4. Leveraging tools: Lessons learned from a poorly chosen sledgehammer

Module 5. Learning humility: Lessons learned from a very brief career as a valet

Module 6. Failing forward: Lessons learned from banshee babies and buttered butts

Module 7. Avoiding shortcuts: Lessons learned from a giant backpack

Module 8. Redefining success: Lessons learned from an idiotic bet

Module 9. Letting go: Lessons learned from a gooey pit of clay

Module 10. Taking responsibility: Lessons learned from trying to catch a train

Module 11. Getting creative: Lessons learned from the toboggan hill

Module 12. Fuelling motivation: Lessons learned from sleeping in a barn

Module 13. Handing over control: Lessons learned from riding in a shopping cart

Module 14. Practising gratitude: Lessons learned from a very special list

Module 15. Prioritizing self-care: Lessons learned from a surprise birthday celebration in the hospital

Module 16. Creating lasting change: Lessons learned from life’s awesome and absurd moments