Don’t Be Afraid to Look Like a Beginner
Humans are hypercritical of each other.
We complain, criticize, and commandeer each other's ideas, actions, and identities.
Why?
Because it’s easier.
It is easier for us to complain than to devise solutions. It’s easier for us to blame than to take responsibility. It’s easier for us to criticize others than to change ourselves.
It’s a security blanket. A way to avoid our own insecurities.
Anytime we change, we are at risk.
Risk of being inadequate. Risk of being criticized. Risk of being ostracized.
As humans, we are highly risk averse and we want to avoid it at all costs.
From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense. Being ostracized from a tribe meant certain death. We evolved working side-by-side with one another, in a cohesive unit, sharing the plentiful responsibilities for survival.
If risk aversion was a biological adaptation, how did we embark on such feats of genius creation?
We made fire, turned organic matter into material, built cities, super-computers, iPhones, and took over the natural born world.
Despite the morality of the situation, I think we can all agree that what we have created as a species is astonishing.
That said, when we first discovered fire we probably weren’t good at making it. We tried and we failed. But we didn’t just stop. We tried again, and then failed some more.
We were beginners.
Novices.
If you were tasked to make a fire, and didn’t have any modern day tools or technology, you’d certainly fail as well. And you know what? It’s fine. Growth starts with our ability to take risks and accept the consequences.
At one point, we were all beginners.
Want to learn Jiu Jitsu? Better be okay looking like a beginner.
Promoted into a new role? Better be okay looking like a beginner.
Started a new company? Better be okay looking like a beginner.
New to marriage? Better be okay looking like a beginner.
As soon as you realize that everyone is a beginner, and nobody really knows what they are doing, the more you will learn, change, and accomplish great things.
It’s never too late to start.
Don’t be afraid to look like a beginner.
Own the process,
Tim
Author of Mastery Monday
Founder & Student
