The truth is, most of us are just scared little kids wearing business outfits, afraid that someone will discover we don't actually know what the heck we're doing a lot of the time.
Love this one, especially Justin. Calling out what you don't understand also stops people who talk fancy to impose superiority. Or at least slows them down a notch 😉
Writers are the same. Or can be. I know I am, even after 65 odd years of being a published one. It's why I am always taken aback by those who follow up their first novel with a second book/course/long running podcast on how to write a novel. I have never really known how I do it, I just sit down and start, and I certainly couldn't teach anyone else..except to advise them to, er, just sit down and start. Only advice I ever give is short & sweet. 'There are no rules.' If there were, I'm pretty sure I'd never have been a writer at all.
My work often feels isolated and I need to remind myself to bounce ideas off others. We're made to connect and be a little vulnerable. At the end of the day, people do business with people.
That’s what I told my wife several times: our bodies grew bigger, but basically we’re all the babies inside of them still. Just learning and trying. Doing our best. Love it Justin. Thank you for having the desire and guts to share.
I’ve been convinced for years that my superpower in my Sales role is my commitment to Radical Transparency and Radical Candor - which often include things like ‘I’m not really sure, but let me find out.’ And statements like ‘This isn’t perfect, but it’s better than what you can do otherwise.’ My clients have thanked me for how refreshing it is and my numbers have proven it works.
You describe my life to a TEE here. Most everything I've done was conceived in my own ignorance with the answer to the question, "I'll give it a try." Some success, some failure, but what a ride.
If you don't ask the questions, you will never learn. It feels stupid at first, but it's worth it. All those people who laughed at me in school for asking these silly questions are doing 9 to 5, while I have built a side business that is going to touch $100k in ARR very soon.
Yes! This reminds me of the Zen Buddhist philosophy of beginner's mind. It's a helpful reminder that not knowing is actually quite a fertile place to learn and grow, and that admitting that we don't know engenders trust.
Great call! And, having read this and recognizing it in themselves, most people still have trouble actually making the move that could flop or make them look stupid out in the world. The body needs to be able to run this program without collapsing back into the comfortable (ie., stuck) place. It's good to practice with little things over time, doing what you think looks stupid to others in a low-stakes environment, to build up the muscle!
This was incredibly refreshing to read. I know I’m definitely guilty of feeling like I need to have it all together or have all the answers. Thank you Justin!
Love this! Life is a constant journey of "figuring things out". If you wait until you have the perfect plan, well, you'll likely never see it materialize beyond mere thoughts and words. At some point, we have to turn thought into action. And yes, figure things out along the way. I think coupling "humility" with "a growth mindset" will offset many risks.
I've always thought of things in terms of 'vantage points'. Each time you take one step you're at a new vantage point and you have a new perspective. New possibilities reveal themselves.
But only if you take that first step ... or that next step. The insight comes from taking bold action (not the other way round).
Something Seth Godin once told me about was 'acting as if' (this is not the same as faking it till you make it).
So now I take that next step as often as I can believing 'the dots will connect' eventually. Because as Steve Jobs said ... you can't connect the dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backwards.
But you can take action and move forward believing that the dots will connect eventually.
Love this one, especially Justin. Calling out what you don't understand also stops people who talk fancy to impose superiority. Or at least slows them down a notch 😉
Thank you! ❤️
Writers are the same. Or can be. I know I am, even after 65 odd years of being a published one. It's why I am always taken aback by those who follow up their first novel with a second book/course/long running podcast on how to write a novel. I have never really known how I do it, I just sit down and start, and I certainly couldn't teach anyone else..except to advise them to, er, just sit down and start. Only advice I ever give is short & sweet. 'There are no rules.' If there were, I'm pretty sure I'd never have been a writer at all.
What a beautiful share... Going with the flow. Deciding and just moving with it
I feel that, Susan. I guess a lot of roles are the same, huh?
"I have no idea what I'm doing half the time. I just try stuff and see what happens."
Good to know CEOs are basically toddlers with budgets.
My work often feels isolated and I need to remind myself to bounce ideas off others. We're made to connect and be a little vulnerable. At the end of the day, people do business with people.
Feel the fear and do it anyway!
That’s what I told my wife several times: our bodies grew bigger, but basically we’re all the babies inside of them still. Just learning and trying. Doing our best. Love it Justin. Thank you for having the desire and guts to share.
I’ve been convinced for years that my superpower in my Sales role is my commitment to Radical Transparency and Radical Candor - which often include things like ‘I’m not really sure, but let me find out.’ And statements like ‘This isn’t perfect, but it’s better than what you can do otherwise.’ My clients have thanked me for how refreshing it is and my numbers have proven it works.
I felt those last two sentences in my bonesss.🦴
You describe my life to a TEE here. Most everything I've done was conceived in my own ignorance with the answer to the question, "I'll give it a try." Some success, some failure, but what a ride.
If you don't ask the questions, you will never learn. It feels stupid at first, but it's worth it. All those people who laughed at me in school for asking these silly questions are doing 9 to 5, while I have built a side business that is going to touch $100k in ARR very soon.
Yes! This reminds me of the Zen Buddhist philosophy of beginner's mind. It's a helpful reminder that not knowing is actually quite a fertile place to learn and grow, and that admitting that we don't know engenders trust.
Great call! And, having read this and recognizing it in themselves, most people still have trouble actually making the move that could flop or make them look stupid out in the world. The body needs to be able to run this program without collapsing back into the comfortable (ie., stuck) place. It's good to practice with little things over time, doing what you think looks stupid to others in a low-stakes environment, to build up the muscle!
Yesss, we have to practice in low stakes environments!
This was incredibly refreshing to read. I know I’m definitely guilty of feeling like I need to have it all together or have all the answers. Thank you Justin!
fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.
This is possibly your most profound essay yet - thanks!
Love this! Life is a constant journey of "figuring things out". If you wait until you have the perfect plan, well, you'll likely never see it materialize beyond mere thoughts and words. At some point, we have to turn thought into action. And yes, figure things out along the way. I think coupling "humility" with "a growth mindset" will offset many risks.
Reading this was liberating for me @Justin Welsh
I've always thought of things in terms of 'vantage points'. Each time you take one step you're at a new vantage point and you have a new perspective. New possibilities reveal themselves.
But only if you take that first step ... or that next step. The insight comes from taking bold action (not the other way round).
Something Seth Godin once told me about was 'acting as if' (this is not the same as faking it till you make it).
So now I take that next step as often as I can believing 'the dots will connect' eventually. Because as Steve Jobs said ... you can't connect the dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backwards.
But you can take action and move forward believing that the dots will connect eventually.
Great reminder. Loved this post. Thank you.