They say there’s a thin line between being cocky and confident. And I agree with that 100%. There is a line, and it’s so thin that it crossing it can happen without you even noticing it. I would know, I’ve been called cocky more than a couple of times in my life. At first, it was just my sister that would say it. So I kind of just ignored what she said because she’d usually call me cocky when we were in an argument. But then, later on in life a few of my friends called me cocky as well. At this point, I started thinking to myself, am I? And if I am, why?
Of course, I didn’t believe that I was cocky deep down inside. I just felt like I was confident. And I still do. But I knew that there had to be a reason for their perception of me being cocky. There had to have been things I did or said that made them feel that way. Its not like the idea just came out of thin air. So I asked myself: What makes a person cocky in the first place?
This is what I have come up with so far:
- People who overly express their confidence.
- People who think they are good at something they are unproven at.
- People who let others know that they are better than them.
- People who don’t have their results speak for them.
- People who are “know it all’s.
- People who think they don’t need to improve.
Looking at this list, I realized that I fell under the first category more than any other (but others could still apply). In the situations where I was called cocky, I didn’t just express my confidence. I overly expressed it. Another word that can be used for over expressing your confidence is called bragging! Personally, I have no problem with people who brag (as long as what they say is true or has valid reasoning). After all, what they are “bragging” about is usually something that they pride themselves in. And I can appreciate that. But not everyone thinks like that, so that’s why I try my best not to do it (brag).
Anyways, the common theme is a cocky person is someone who makes other people feel inferior. And in turn, it makes them self look or feel superior (even if that’s not their intent). And that’s the thin line. You are considered a confident person when you believe in yourself but don’t make others feel inferior in the process. And as soon as you make someone feel inferior, you are then considered cocky (at least by that person).
Of course, it isn’t as black and white as that. Everyone perceives things differently, and therefore what they consider to be cocky is different. Saying something as simple as “I love my BMW” could be considered cocky to some (usually those who can’t afford one), whereas it would take someone bragging about their BMW A LOT to be considered cocky to others. So while its impossible to please everybody, I think not doing the things in the list above is a good start. And instead, confidently do the opposite.
