As I watched my little one learn how to walk, I couldn’t help but notice some similarities between his walking style and my early entrepreneurial style – wobbly with lots of falling down. In fact, when I watched more, I saw there were quite a few things he could teach me.
Recently, I was reading a new favorite book, “A More Beautiful Question” by Warren Berger. He speaks about a Japanese Zen approach called shoshin, or beginner’s mind. My little one hasn’t yet lost this innate ability to have an openness to learn from every experience. I, on the other hand, need to teach myself to “slow down, step back, and ask fundamental questions.”
This concept gave me a new perspective on when Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me.” Both of these ideas see power in not being the expert. My son is a quality example of the power of this approach and why so many wise people see the value in always learning and being teachable.
While his words are actually limited to “Mamamamamama” and “Dadadadadada” right now, this is what he tells me through his approach of learning to walk:
“I’m not an expert, and I don’t care.”
He embodies this approach to life in the way he lives and learns. He is constantly learning and curious. Granted, I did pray for a curious and cuddly child. He doesn’t miss anything.
My entrepreneurial journey isn’t much longer than his life and yet, how often do I expect myself to have all the answers? I can learn a new level of grace by watching the grace my son gives to himself as he continues to learn.
This quote by Albert Einstein seems to say it all:
“An expert is a person with few new ideas. A beginner is a person with many.”
“Look out, here I come!”
There have been a few times when the little one has almost dove forward with a restless abandonment like a bull charging forward in the ring. There is absolutely no overthinking. He’s just going for it!
On my side, I’ve been overthinking every aspect of something like shooting a video for weeks (maybe months) now. I’ve always loved the concept of “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.” How often I still sit back and wait for permission instead of taking a page from the little one’s book.
“Boom!”
Inevitably, he crashes (hopefully into the carpet and not the side of furniture). But as soon as this happens, he crashes and almost just as quickly, he bounces back up.
In my young businesses, I can count my crashes and burns on one hand, but I wonder how many missed opportunities I’ve had. Perhaps I would be much further ahead if I had double the amount of mistakes and mishaps at this point.
“Smile.”
The key to all this success seems to be this very simple lesson. I can almost hear the little one telling me, “Just smile mamma.” Something about lifting those tiny muscles in your face changes your whole approach.
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Johanna is a mother, adventurer, published author and founder of Positive Doing – a life coaching practice focused on women / mothers looking for more flexibility and more fulfilment. Download her new ebook here.