Cultivate A Beginners Mind

Published: March 15, 2024, 8 a.m.

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00:06:11 Shunryu Suzuki's book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

00:12:23 Seek Out Counterevidence

00:14:45 Reframe Knowledge and Skill as Something Malleable

00:15:55 Invite Awe

00:17:49 \u201cAway From\u201d Versus \u201cToward\u201d Motivation

00:24:37 Make Your Goals Positive

00:25:30 Mix It Up

00:27:16 Set Interim Goals



\u2022 The paradox of expertise is that when we know, we are immediately in a smaller, more limited frame of mind. To embrace humility and curiosity, cultivate a \u201cbeginner\u2019s mind.\u201d Build receptivity, curiosity, ambiguity, and playfulness, and be willing to say you don\u2019t know.


\u2022 Let go of assumptions and preconceptions, and deliberately seek out counterevidence for the things you believe to be true. With a growth mindset, you can reframe knowledge and skill as something malleable. Finally, invite awe and wonder into your life and immerse yourself in the unknown.


\u2022 There are two types of motivation: "Away-from" motivation involves avoiding something undesirable, while "toward" motivation revolves around striving toward a goal. We are all different and motivated by different things, our preferences themselves changing over time. Running away from something works, but it fundamentally contradicts the way that natural talents practice. Instead, frame your goals in positive terms, strike a balance between toward and away-from motivation, and work on interim goals/baby steps.


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