Odd intense brilliant
A new review of Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life caught my eye because of the choice of adjectives used to describe me. Written by Derek Hughes, it reads:
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Matthew Dicks is odd, intense, and brilliant. I’m not sure I’d want to live or work with him. Yet his eccentricity gives him unique insights you’ll like.
Many productivity books recycle the same ideas. Dicks doesn’t. You won’t agree with or like everything he says. But you will discover some new ideas that will work.
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He then goes on to offer three of his favorite tips from the book.
I love parts of this review. In particular, I appreciate his acknowledgment that readers won’t like everything I have to say in the book because I experience this often. When someone asks me how to be more productive, my answer is never the magic pill that so many people desire.
People often want to change their life without actually changing their life.
I’m also grateful for his mention that my book isn’t recycling the ideas of others. He’s right. Books on productivity often offer the same strategies or versions of the same strategies.
I’m happy to hear that my ideas are original.
But odd, eccentric, and brilliant?
Brilliant is quite a stretch. Yesterday I missed a chair by a solid two feet while attempting to sit down. I also misread an email and apologized for something I didn’t actually do. I got stuck in a public restroom because I kept pushing on a door that needed to be pulled.
Not exactly Einstein-like behavior.
“Odd” and “eccentric” may be true, but I prefer “nonconforming” and “original.”
But as a writer, I understand his word choice. Some words get more attention than others. Some words spark interest whereas others do not.
As for not being sure if he would like to live or work with me, I am quite certain (and have written verification) that some of my colleagues have not wanted to work with me, at least in the past.
The ones who have expressed this opinion in print are cowardly monsters, but there are probably others who haven’t enjoyed my methods or my witty repartee without needing to express it via written communication and anonymous threats to my career.
Still, I’m also sure that plenty of colleagues over the years have been neutral or better about working alongside me.
Also, doesn’t everyone have someone at work with doesn’t exactly adore them?
As for living with me, this is where I will heartily object. Occupying living quarters with me is utterly delightful.
I’m organized and neat. I’ve always done more chores than most people with whom I live. I’m relatively quiet. I don’t watch much television or play music at excessive levels. I tell good stories. Offer good advice. Remain exceptionally calm in the face of trouble. I’m prepared for many possible emergencies. I like both cats and dogs. I know how to cook. I’d never let a pot soak overnight. I’m up for almost any adventure.
Living with me is a joy.
I’m hoping Elysha would agree. My kids, too.
