When you have a blog like this one—or are a coach, mentor, parent, boss, teacher, or even if you’re…well…anyone—it’s easy to become impressed with yourself and all the cool stuff you know.
In fact, I like to think I have the street smarts of an old-school hustler and have attained the eternal wisdom of a grizzled sage.
(Although in conversation I’ll still probably try to tell you about all the awesome stuff I know, because that way I can appear a little smarter and cooler than I actually am and hopefully weasel my way up a notch or two on the social ladder.)
The hubristic smarty-pants stuff is best left to the teenagers of the world, the self-righteous church-goers who constantly preach that their way is the only way, and to Uncle Kurt—who lives on unemployment and Budweiser while he works at solving the world’s problems from his couch by yelling at the people on the television screen, because, as Uncle Kurt would say, “They don’t know shit.”
It’s about being open, eager, and free from the prison of preconceptions, even in areas of life that you’re advanced in. It’s an attitude of constantly having the mind of a beginner in everything you do.
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27 comments
I rarely open the *IMPORTANT* emails quickly, but…good topic Chris.
I think it can makes things easier if you approach all contact with people/situations with the attitude of “what can I learn from this person/situation?” Even if you learn what NOT to do, consider it a win.
just my 2 cents…
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Great post, great point Chris. Thanks for sharing and reminding with this one. Is it me or does modern social media accelerate the process? Growing up without it, and seeing life through a social media lens now I know that hubris has always existed but it seems like it catches up to us faster with social media. I’ve caught myself plenty of times feeling I knew it all and my shit didn’t stink (still catch myself more than I should) throughout my life but nothing as quick as my first year or so on Twitter. People, strangers, colleagues, anyone starts following you and it goes to your head. I was obsessed with gaining followers for a while – but had no idea why, other than the power I thought it brought. I wasn’t selling anything and I was hardly marketing myself or my services but damn if I didn’t think I could break news or even make news to all these “followers”. Until one day I woke up and asked myself why and for what reason(s). I love Twitter, don’t get me wrong, but it definitely went to my head in a negative way for a while. Happy to be more on the Shoshin path now. Be well.
Reply Hey Andy, I can tell that in my experience, stuff like blog comments, twitter followers, facebook followers-likes-comments, and stuff like email list size can go the head
I’ve seen in myself and others
I try to stay in the frame of having these #’s just allows me to help more people, but the ego is definitely always trying to sneak into the party — it’ll use anything it can to get a little boost
thanks a always for your comment Andy
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The most frightening and yet most hopeful thing I can think to myself: What if I don’t know? Thanks Big Chris! <3
Reply thanks Angie
not knowing is the highest form of knowing in my experience – sounds paradoxical, but an open mind is a wise mind
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This is something I strive to remind myself of on a regular basis, or else life steps up to remind me. I may know a lot about some things, but even in those areas I still don’t know shit.
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Right on. I find that embracing my ignorance is actually quite freeing. And as a bonus, I think it also puts others at ease. Maybe because they know we’re all in this together – no pretense needed.
Reply I agree Dani, it’s definitely freeing and puts me at ease… BIG TIME
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This is everything I believe in. Reading this was comforting! Keep it up, for people like us.
Reply thanks Marley, appreciate you taking the time to comment
And I WILL keep it up
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“We don’t know one-millionth of one percent about anything”
Thomas Edison
Good shit, man, good shit. One of the biggest things I’ve found that we (humans) always forget to spend time learning is what we don’t know.
Anyway, I just wanted to say some of the best e-mails I get are these notifications about your new posts. Keep it kickin’ man.
Reply Hey thanks Johnny, means a lot, I’ll keep sending em’ brother
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I agree. One of the best ways to refresh your mind and rejuvenate is to try something completely new and keep an open mind about it. Nice blog!
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I finally started reading this blog Chris… and I must say that I’ll be coming back more often! Read through 4 posts so far and it’s been inspiring and mind blowing content!
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I agree. I think everyone writing wants to put to print conclusions that are reasonable and logical, but haven’t experienced first hand. You can’t do that.
A lot of popular bloggers have talked about not being able to start their blog 10 years ago because they lacked the experience.
You don’t know what you don’t know.
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“It’s about being open, eager, and free from the prison of preconceptions, even in areas of life that you’re advanced in.”
The problem with expertise is the lingering preoccupation with past achievements. I like how you say that we need a beginner’s mindset.
I think it’s a more fun and insightful mindset to have because we wouldn’t see the list of achievements or the close proximity of the ending, instead we would see the possibility of growth and the joy contained within it.
Thanks for reminding me that, Chris.
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This biggest problem I see people creating for themselves are the self imposed limitations of one’s abilities. I’ve been a personal trainer in Austin, TX for a long, long time and I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard people start a sentence with ” I can’t”, etc. Guess what? You can. Maybe not this time, but later with some consistent work and a positive attitude.
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