Comments on: The critical importance of “beginner mind” when starting a business

By: The Importance of the Beginner Mind - racoma.net

The Importance of the Beginner Mind - racoma.net — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:08:22 +0000

[...] having the beginner mind. I came across the term reading past articles, particularly this one from Escape from Cubicle Nation. Beginner mind is a state of being where you approach learning with no judgment, censoring, editing [...]

By: Helen Coetzee

Helen Coetzee — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:43:51 +0000

Even though I agree 100% with this, I sometimes have a little voice that tells me I should be more arrogant and pretend I know everything in order for people to take me seriously. I think the challenge is to combine the ‘humility’ with the the confidence that you may know more about your subject than the person you are speaking to, but that person also has a lot to teach you.

By: How to get your mojo back | Escape From Cubicle Nation

How to get your mojo back | Escape From Cubicle Nation — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:55:25 +0000

[...] This is beginner mind. [...]

By: Rebs Rebillon

Rebs Rebillon — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 03:04:53 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly. I view life as a whole learning experience. Just starting my new company with friends and still learning the world of a free-lancer where they came from and trying to marry my experience in a big established company to create the best of both worlds.

By: Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language)

Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:34:48 +0000

I was going to pull that quote from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind but I see someone has beaten me to the punch. However, this is a terribly good post and well worth making.

Just to play devil’s advocate for a second. One of the problems I often encounter when talking to would-be entrepeneurs is that they are often hesitate or put off starting up on their own because of what they don’t know. In some ways, having some expert knowledge can be useful if it means you have the confidence to make the leap.

I wonder if the right mental attitude is a tension between beginner’s mind, know-how and want-to-figure out.

By: Mary Schmidt

Mary Schmidt — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:49:42 +0000

Ah, the powerpoint presentations! You can always spot someone who’s coming out of a big company. They’ve got a ton of glossy slides, with lots of clip art. And, they force you to sit through the entire presentation, no matter what. No stopping or even slowing if you say, “Yes, I’ve done that” or “Yes, I saw that on your web site.” And, please! Hold your questions to the end.

Unfortunately, experience (and success) in big companies doesn’t automatically translate well to start-ups. As you note, it’s a very different market and perspective.

By: Pete Aldin

Pete Aldin — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 22:44:13 +0000

Still learning? Still living.

By: Matthew Cornell

Matthew Cornell — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:49:28 +0000

Great post, Pam. I think dealing with the ego is a prerequisite to much of this. It’s the thing that puts internal pressure on to talk, to show my smarts, to put out at the cost of taking in. However, letting the ego go is hard, and depends on self-esteem and self-confidence (among others)… Deep stuff!

By: Me

Me — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:35:27 +0000

I heartily agree. And I have to say I’ve been guilty of this in the past from time to time. As a much more seasoned business person now, I wear my experience well.

If only managers in organisations had the same inquiring, curious mind, rather than feeling they have to have all the answers – life would be better….

By: Adriana

Adriana — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:46:08 +0000

Those are very important suggestions for a beginner!