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Pretense.

By Bamboo In The Wind
Pretense is a cover-up. When something does not look closer to our expectations, we fall back on acts to avoid embarrassment. Pretense is a desperate attempt to show that things are going as per plan. All in control. Fear of getting exposed to the poorest performance makes us create a shield that masks reality.

It seems that pretense originates from insecurity, a strong desire that we must achieve what we want. Often we are unaware of the blind spots. We have unknowns we need to properly prepare for.

Without the preparation, there is a sudden unexpected outcome. We are in for a surprise. While we know what a crest is, we have no experience of the trough. 

Often, we are surprised because we are used to seeing only an upward trajectory, success, and having everything our way. We have no exposure to seeing what it means to not be up to the mark or even fail.

More importantly, pretense also comes from wanting to be a winner in our minds and in the eyes of others.

Pretense creates false beliefs, shallow trust, and dependence. In the short run, it can entertain and excite people about our prospects.

In the long run, pretense erodes trust and exposes the quality of work and outcomes.

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