There was a great quotation over on David Zinger’s web site Employee Engagement. The quote was from Shunryu Suzuki and said:

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s there are few.”

I’ve thought a lot about that quote because much of what I read and see that comes from experts is really just a well thought through point of view. How easy is it to find an expert on the Iraq war from a Republican or Democratic point of view? All supposedly experts, but all advocating different positions.

In that situation, the expert’s mind has few possibilities.

The challenge for us in our careers is to approach new situations as beginners. Even though we have tons of experience, there is usually something new to learn from starting over and looking at a situation as a beginner.

It is a passion for learning that helps us look at things with possibility. Curiosity for the new and different will serve us well.

So be an expert, but have the passion to learn. A beginner’s mind.

Scot

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