Improving Your Life: Stop Being A Snob

Improving your life isn’t really all that hard.  It is mainly about opening yourself up to new possibilities. 

A snob is a person that adopts the view that they are better than someone else for any variety of reasons including real or perceived intelligence, wealth, fame, ancestry, etc.

I think we all have a bit of snobbery in us.  We all like to think we are better than others in some way.  However, being a snob actually gets in the way of improving your life.

Identifying the common types of snobs

There are a plethora of ways that one might be a snob.  It seems that there is no end to the possible ideas we can invent for which we might think ourselves better than others.  Here are a few types of snobs that are common:

1.  Basic, run-of-the-mill social snob

This is probably the type of snob that most often comes to mind.  Most of us were introduced to this type of snob back in high school.  The snobs were the popular kids that looked down their noses at those of us that weren’t nearly as cool.  They shunned many trying to keep their clique an elite group.  Of course, social snobbery doesn’t stop once high school is over.

2.  Online social media snob

The modern day snob has taken their snootiness online to social media sites like StumbleUpon, Twitter and FaceBook.  They arbitrarily turn up their nose to anyone that, in their not so humble opinion, fails to meet some unspecified criteria.  They often only want to be friends with those that they feel can in some way benefit their blog, cause or social media status.

3.  Hobby enthusiast snob

Hobby enthusiasts have often spent years perfecting their craft.  Therefore, they feel they have the right to look down on newbies.  They have the best equipment, techniques and know the secrets to make it all look easy.  This gives them a feeling of superiority over those just getting started in the hobby or sport.

4.  Career or networking snob

You might find these snobs on LinkedIn or hanging out at a Chamber of Commerce social hour.  They are often at the top of their profession which garners them a lot of attention.  Hordes flock to them only to be turned away because they don’t have time for the little people.  They have forgotten what got them to the place where they are today.

5.  Religious snob

The sad thing is that our churches are not immune from snobs either.  You can often find religious snobs in every flock.  They kid themselves by looking at those outside the church or sitting in the back row and thinking, “Oh, look at those poor souls.”  They think they are being compassionate when in fact they are judging and being snobbish.

Open up to the possibilities: Stop being a snob

The problem with snobbery is that it closes us off from creating relationships with large groups of people.  We therefore stunt our own growth because we close ourselves off from new influences and experiences. 

Does any of the types of snobs above sound familiar?  Have you let snobbery creep into your life?  It happens to most of us so, please don’t be ashamed.  Here are some things to break the rut of being a snob:

1.  Don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new people – diversify!

Why do we close ourselves off from new people?  Are we afraid that our network will grow too large?  That we might somehow accumulate too many contacts? 

It is true that you can’t be everything to everybody.  You have to have a small core group that is your base, but why limit yourself?  Build a big network!  You will always know someone that can get things done no matter what the task.  This is real power!

2.  Teach others what you know to pass on the legacy

There are others that would love to know what you know.  They are just starting out and you can help them.  You can give them a big boost.  Are we afraid that by helping someone else we will make it too easy for them?  They might not have to work as hard as we did to learn all the inside knowledge necessary to be successful?

Put this hogwash behind you and reach out to someone today.  It will make you feel really good about yourself to mentor someone.  Besides you don’t want all that you’ve learned to dry up and blow away do you?  Wouldn’t it be better to pass along the baton and leave a positive legacy?

3.  Explore new territory yourself

Try something new yourself.  Take those guitar lessons that you’ve always wanted to take.  Go get certified to be an open-water scuba diver.  Start your own blog.  Whatever it is that you’ve always wanted to do, just go do it! 

It can be a humbling experience being new at something yourself.  It will also force you to make new relationships and to reach out to others for help.  This should help to break the cycle of snobbery.

Cast off the snob that crept in and start improving your life!

Again, I think over time we all develop a bit of snobbery.  I don’t know exactly what it is about human nature that makes it so, but it seems to happen to the best of us.  However, the best of the best know this and do something to break the snobs in themselves.  They know it will improve their life if they open themselves up to the boundless opportunities that exist in new and diverse relationships.  Go make some new friends today!

Has snobbery crept into your life?  What are you doing about it?

Photo by DearTerisa

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