Willingness to Be the Fool
Beginning any new journey, whether it’s learning a skill, starting a business, or pursuing a passion, requires a readiness to accept being a beginner. This readiness is captured beautifully in the idea of being willing to be the fool—understanding that every start is challenging and that starting at the bottom is a natural part of the process. What truly matters is taking that initial step, regardless of where it places you and how it initially makes you feel.
It’s crucial to shed any notions of entitlement or fear of appearing foolish. The willingness to be the fool shows the necessary humility and openness to learning. It acknowledges that mastery is a journey that begins with stumbling, falling, making mistakes, and learning from them. Those who refuse to acknowledge their ignorance or believe they know it all may find themselves forever stagnant at the starting line.
Often, the fear of being perceived as inexperienced or foolish holds us back from pursuing new activities. We worry about making mistakes, looking incompetent, or being judged by others. However, it’s important to recognize that every expert was once a beginner. They, too, faced challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty. What sets them apart is their willingness to endure the discomfort of being a beginner and persist despite initial failures and the uncomfortable feeling of being bad at something.
Accepting a starting position at the bottom also provides a unique starting point for growth. Being honest about your current abilities allows you to build a strong foundation, develop essential skills, and gain new experiences. Accepting this phase with acceptance, humility and a hunger for knowledge sets the stage for growth. Each obstacle becomes an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve.
Acceptance and humility often attract new relationships, collaboration, and mentorship. When you acknowledge your limitations and accept being a learner, you attract mentors and peers who are willing to support and guide you. Seeking advice, learning from others’ experiences, and humbly accepting constructive feedback accelerate your learning curve. It’s through these interactions that you gain insights, perspectives, and strategies that can help you grow.
Learning and success are therefore not determined by where you start, but by your willingness to learn, grow, and adapt. By facing the challenges of starting and being willing to be the fool, you position yourself for long-term success and fulfillment. Remember, every beginning is hard, but it’s the courage to start and the humility to learn that paves the way forward.
The willingness to be the fool is not a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of your courage. It’s about recognizing that every journey begins with uncertainty and challenges and that growth requires accepting discomfort and learning from failures.
So, shed your ego, accept being a beginner, and start doing that thing you always wanted to do.
Until next time,
Scott and Lennart