In first grade, I had my first brush with politics when my class held an election.
Each classroom needed a representative, though I can’t for the life of me remember if it was for an assembly, a presentation, or just to be line leader.
I do remember that anyone who wanted to run had a minute to make our case as to why we would be the best candidate.
When my turn came, I stood in front of the class and rattled off what I thought were my strongest qualifications. I started off strong mentioning that I was a Cub Scout, but my real ace in the hole was my grandpa. He was mayor of a small town in rural Ohio, and to my six-year-old brain, that basically made him the President of the United States.
Surely, a political dynasty like ours would make me the obvious choice. Race closed, see you in four years.
The speeches ended, and it was time to vote. Our teacher handed out slips of paper, and we marked our ballots. The votes would be tallied after school, and the results would be announced the next morning.
When I got home, my mom asked how it went. More specifically, she wanted to know who I voted for.
I caught her off guard when I told her I didn’t vote for myself.
I voted for one of my classmates.
“Mom, You’re Not Allowed to Vote for Yourself.”
Voting for yourself was clearly a violation of campaign laws. I didn’t want the board of elections showing up on my doorstep that night with handcuffs.
I was convinced that voting for yourself was cheating, like stuffing the ballot box with an extra vote.
At first, I thought I needed to abstain from voting altogether since I was in the race. But when I saw my opponents casting their votes, I figured they were choosing the person they thought was best for the job.
So I sat there, pencil in hand, and gave it some serious thought.
Who would make the best class representative?
Who deserved my vote?
I don’t remember who I ultimately voted for. I just know it wasn’t me.
But when word of the election reached my grandparents, I learned the truth. Yes, my grandpa voted for himself in every election he ran. And no, it wasn’t cheating.
The Balance
Maybe it’s because I’m from the Midwest, maybe it’s because I’m a textbook introvert. But I don’t think my first-grade logic was entirely wrong.
Even then I knew there was value in recognizing strengths in others, and in seeing the good in the people around you. But there’s a line.
If you don’t have enough confidence to choose yourself when it matters most, you risk letting life happen to you instead of shaping it for yourself.
If you don’t believe in yourself enough to vote for you, why should anyone else?
It sounds simple, but for many, it’s not. There’s a balance between confidence and humility, and in increasingly rare cases like mine, the scale tips too far toward humility.
We hesitate, second-guess, and wait for someone else to give us permission.
If you’re the best person for the job, you should vote for yourself. If you believe you’re the right one to lead, cast your own ballot. If you want to be better, smarter, or more present in your own life, you need to choose yourself.
Vote For Yourself
Confidence doesn’t mean arrogance. It doesn’t mean dismissing the talents or capabilities of the people around you. It just means understanding your own value and backing yourself when it counts.
For me, confidence is less about your capabilities, and more about stepping up when it matters. It’s also about betting on your ability to figure it out along the way.
If you want to get philosophical, every day is an election.
The choices we make—big and small—add up. They shape the jobs we take, the projects we pursue, the people we invest our time in, and the lives we build.
If you don’t advocate for yourself, someone else will make decisions for you. They’ll decide how your story unfolds and I can guarantee that it won’t look like the one you would’ve written if you were writing it on your own.
The lesson is this this story is one I’m still learning myself all these years later. Whether you’re stepping into a new chapter, making a tough decision, or just being the kind of person you want to be… vote for yourself.
Not because you think you’re the best in the world, but because you believe you’re the best person for the life you want to live.
From My Desk:
What I’m Thinking About / What I’m Doing / On Deck for Monday:
I’m combining all three of these From My Desk sections because tomorrow, January 20th will be a MASSIVE day in history. Donald Trump will officially be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and at 7:30, The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football National Championship.
It’s an important day for all Americans, and an especially big day for Ohioans like me.
From The Field Review Archives:
The Field Review is a space for exploring the intersection of work, life, and the great outdoors. It’s about figuring ‘it’ out—whatever your ‘it’ might be.
Every Sunday at 10AM EST, I share ideas, insights, and conversations that help break through the noise, offering a real look at how we can all keep moving forward.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or topics you'd like me to explore in future newsletters, feel free to reach out!
Venture Onward,
Jack
Go Bucks!