Embrace being a noob [Discussion]

Submitted by TreatThompson t3_11n8aie in GetMotivated

Starting something new sucks. It’s scary, mysterious, frustrating, annoying, and exhausting.

On top of the uncomfortable feeling of being a noob, it also feels like a bad thing.

It feels like my skill level is a reflection of me. Being bad at one thing feels like I’m bad at everything.

But this quote from Paul Graham changed how I look at not knowing something:

>“I realized something encouraging about being a noob: the more of a noob you are locally, the less of a noob you are globally.”

What he’s saying is if you put yourself in positions where you’re constantly the noob, then you’re learning more overall.

If you spread your time across track and field, basketball, tennis, soccer, and wrestling, you may be a rookie at all of them, but you’ll be a more rounded athlete compared to someone who specializes in just one sport.

Bruce Lee said something similar: “Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality.”

You can’t gain anything if your cup is full.

This isn’t to say go be decent at a lot of things and great at nothing. It’s to say that you grow more when you put yourself in environments that challenge you.

So you may be a rookie in that new environment, but overall you’re developing as a person.

I like putting myself in positions where people know more than me or I’m devoid of skill, because then it’s all upside to gain.

My older brother always made me play basketball with his friends on the weekends when I was growing up. I hated it. It was such a struggle.

But then I’d go back to school and absolutely destroy my friends.

Playing with the older guys sharpened my skills and accelerated growth that I just wouldn’t get in my comfortable environment.

I was a scrub to them, but overall I was better than before.

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This post was from my newsletter

I share ideas from great thinkers so we can stand on the shoulders of giants, instead of figuring life out alone

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Comments

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TreatThompson OP t1_jblxh19 wrote

This is a great quote on a similar note

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" - Anais Nin

The more we put ourselves our there the more potential there is to have a remarkable life.

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JahVer t1_jbmdj8z wrote

Thank you for this. I mean honestly it all sounds reasonable, relatable and coherent. Anyone can feel so lost and alone until something crosses your path and it speaks to you. These kinds of posts are definitely worth taking the time to read. Much respect

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verycoolwow t1_jbmmcf7 wrote

Heard this recently and it quickly became a mantra of sorts for me:

“I’m not afraid to be seen trying.”

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kristy__kreme t1_jbmsyjg wrote

I’m currently stuck a spot in my life where I really needed to hear this. Thank you so much!!

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Mr_Mons_of_Nibiru t1_jbn81c0 wrote

I used to work at a ski resort and would always be disappointed when I was around newcomers to the sport viewing being a novice as some embarrassing thing. I love it when I see someone throwing all their attention into learning something and having fun doing it. And also learning the most important thing in the sport and life: how to get back up!!!

I have such profound respect for the enthusiastic learner.

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Deep_Thinker_Me t1_jc1pbt0 wrote

I just remembered this quote from Master Oogway:

"There is always something more to learn. Even for a master."

In a sense, its okay to be a noob 😄

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