Are you Willing to be a True Beginner?
Goal: Explore the meaning of a true beginner
Many years ago I worked in a steel mill. One of the hourly guys and I were friends. Our friendship was based on our love for martial arts.
During lunch often we would meet in a electrical substation that was near our shop and work out. We would share forms from different martial arts we had studied and philosophies we learned.
It was very enjoyable to share knowledge together.
My former friend was a highly skilled martial artist and had black belts in several arts. He was not only a black belt but a higher level black belt.
There were a few things that were unusual about him. Even though he was a high level black belt he did not want to own a school. He had no interest in running a school.
Second thing, and the point of this article, was his enrollment in new schools. He enjoyed joining a new school as a white belt.
I thought that was strange and often questioned him. Some of the instructors of those schools were lower ranking black belts than him. I am sure that those instructors quickly saw that he knew more than them.
When I questioned him about this behavior, his answer always was the same. He said, “I know how I was thought the basics BUT do not know how this person was taught.”
What?
We all assume that once we reach a level of proficiency that we know the subject very well. We assume that our knowledge is complete.
BUT what if our house was built on sandy land? Maybe the house just stands because it was never truly stressed?
By re-learning the basics he got a new interpretation and verified that his knowledge was solid. He confirmed that what he knew was not different.
Why is this important?
By being humble enough to put on the white belt and humble himself, he showed that the knowledge was more important than rank. He was being a true leader.
In martial arts we talk about the idea of beginner mind. He lived that philosophy. This concept is also referred to as shoshin.
Wikipedia defines it as, “Shoshin is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind.” It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts.”
Many years later I followed his behavior. I was asked to assist another friend with his martial arts school because he was growing so fast. I joined on the condition that I would wear a white belt. He agreed.
It was funny to wear a white belt for years and correct black belts in their forms and techniques. I even instructed classes with senior black belts as a white belt. That confused many parents.
I believe that this concept is very powerful and one we need to embrace. In these uncertain times many of us are having to pivot towards unusual opportunities. Approach them with Shoshin even if you have some expertise in this new area.
Allow yourself to be taught by younger and less experienced people. You might raise your level and achieve things you never dreamed of.
I have used this strategy in several industries. It was not easy to go from steel/power to academia to refining to chemicals to consulting to software development, to engineering to industrial gasses.
Bruce Lee advised us to be like water my friend. Mold yourself around obstacles. Fit the cup you are poured in. Change your state and break the molds others force you in.
My two cents….(this is what I earned from Medium.com in October 2020)
I got to go…my future self alarm went off
Robert Trajkovski is professional with experience in leading people and projects in Steel/ Power, Refining, Chemicals, Industrial Gasses, Software, Consulting and Academia. He has worked for both owners and engineering companies. In addition, he has instructed 73+ courses at several institutions and often offers his courses for free on LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberttrajkovski/
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