We all have tells. Not just in poker, but in life. Tiny patterns. Consistencies. Reactions.
And every now and then, someone notices — and says:
“Of course you did.”
It’s a funny phrase. Because it can mean wildly different things depending on how it’s said — and who’s saying it.
It can be a compliment:
“You brought backup sticky notes? Of course you did. You’re always ready.”
It can be teasing:
“You made a color-coded spreadsheet for your vacation? Of course you did.”
It can even be a judgment:
“You stayed late again? Ugh. Of course you did.”
Same words. Different tone. Different intent.
But no matter how it’s said, it always reveals something:
What others expect of you. What they believe about you. And sometimes — what you’ve unintentionally taught them to believe.
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Sidenote: Yes. I love spreadsheets. But oddly enough, I don’t plan out vacations with tables and columns. At most, a checklist. Back to the post!
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Mirror
“Of course you did” is a mirror. It reflects the version of you that lives in someone else’s mind. It’s a tremendous amount of feedback projected within a phrase, sometimes delivered with a smile.
Not just what you do, but who you are — how they've seen you show up.
- Are you always early? Or always late?
- Do you write everything down? Or wing it with flair?
- Are you the calm one? The chaos one? The one with snacks?
- The one who sends the summary? Or the one everyone waits for?
These little patterns build up. They form your reputation. Your character. The “you” people count on — or roll their eyes at.
Perspective
This isn’t about being liked or disliked. It’s about knowing what you’re signaling — intentionally or not.
Because sometimes “Of course you did” is earned through discipline. And sometimes, it’s a label you grew into by accident.
Ask yourself:
Do you like the version of you that people have come to expect?
If yes — great. Keep going. If not — maybe it’s time to surprise them.
It’s not about managing reputation. It’s about noticing the gap — between how you’re seen, and how you want to show up. That’s the awareness.
And from there? You get to choose.
Reflection
So the next time someone says
“Of course you did.”
Pause for a moment. Listen not just to what they said — but how they said it. Notice what version of you is living in their voice.
And ask yourself — not out of insecurity, not to please — but to reflect:
Is that the impression I want to leave behind?
Does it reflect the kind of person I believe I am?
Because once you become aware of how you’re perceived — you don’t have to accept it. But you can learn from it. You can choose.
This isn’t about polishing your image. It’s about aligning your inner values to your outer behaviors.
You don’t need to be the reliable one. The funny one. The spreadsheet one. You just need to be the aligned one. The person whose patterns match their principles.
Because “Of course you do” doesn’t need to be praise or shame. It can be proof. Proof that who you’re trying to be… is who you are.
And when someone says it with a smile — warm, familiar — and it lands in your chest like a quiet nod?
You’ll know.