Enlightening Thought #15

In light of recent events, I feel a need to address Enlightened Thought #4. Actually, this is more of an off-shoot from the earlier blog than a counter-post.

So, a few months ago, I had applied for a prestigious summer research internship. I was contacted for an interview, and upon leaving the lab, I felt that I was extremely qualified for the position. After all, I had prior research experience, I knew how to use all of the tools in the lab, I had top-notch numbers, and I was going to Caltech, for heaven's sake!

And then, I checked the mail:
I was rejected.

The letter of consolation said that I should be proud of being in the top third of applicants. Top third? 33%?! I should be proud of that? I've been in the top 5% of everything my entire life! I'm the goddamn Batman!

That letter opened the floodgates for a chain reaction of self-doubt. I thought, "What if I'm not really that great? What if this is a sign of failure? What if I never end up achieving my dreams?"

Thankfully, the answer miraculously appeared:

Don't be overconfident. Expect and prepare for the worst.

Sooner or later, your lucky streak will end, and you don't want all of your doors locked shut.



Not everybody will always think that you're a piece of HOT shit.