What exactly is a Beginner's Mind Life?
And why should you care? This is a two minute read.
Friends, I’m starting a newsletter called Beginner’s Mind Life.
Beginner’s Mind is a Zen Buddhist concept that fueled the creativity and success of giants like Apple’s Steve Jobs and Salesforce’s Marc Benioff.
Without meaning to, I used this same concept to lift me out of what I’ll simply call burnout, but really was a combination of disappointment, jadedness, and pessimism.
During and after the pandemic, many of us began to question the quality of our lives. I started seeking more than the Work-Home-Eat-Sleep and Repeat cycle. That cycle of staleness is burnout-inducing, though it’s valued by society. Play it safe. If it ain’t broke, why fix it. Tried and true.
I started getting out of my comfort zones. Gradually, the sense of being trapped lifted. Before I knew it, I was climbing mountains and hiking cross-country trails. Who knew I’d end up loving GOLF?!? Then people would hit me up and ask for tips on hiking, or travel, or whatever random new thing I’m trying.
My True Self Returns
I felt myself coming back to my forgotten true self. My true self won essay writing contests in elementary and high school, and several television production awards, including an Emmy. My true self is an international solo traveler, starting before the internet was invented, and has been to some 40 countries, repeat visits not counted.
My true self, who’s now writing this note to you, reemerged after I made the decision to get out of my multi-year rut by just being a beginner, again and again. I’m back, baby.
Always having a Beginner’s Mind, I’ve discovered, is a wholesome, practical and spiritual approach to curing and preventing burnout. That beginner’s sense of wonder and excitement keeps life fresh.
A Space For Beginners
A Beginner’s Mind life is about joyful exploration and adventure. It can be a new restaurant, new experience, new hobby, new gear. Doesn’t have to be expensive either. Most things can be done at different budget levels. So don’t feel limited by expense.
This space is for and about beginners, sharing and discovering new things, whatever new is to me or you. Ask me about being a guest writer sometime in the future, if you’ve got some discovery to share.
Let’s get out of the stagnant, predictable, burnout-inducing existence we’ve been conditioned to live. Let’s live a Beginner’s Mind life.
I’ll be posting something once a week.
Please scroll down and hit the subscribe button. Right now, it’s free.
Thanks for your support!
Keeping it fresh, Beginner’s Mind Life
