We all started somewhere.
I used to look at others who are already accomplished and immediately felt small… consciously ignoring the fact that they may have started from a different level, that their journey is different and that I need to find my way. That the only way I can make a mark is to show my original self and not try to imitate someone else’s career journey. I knew all that and yet, I was comparing my results to how large is their project, speaking style, immaculate accent, upbringing… each time I felt like I don’t belong. That I’m miles away from the excellence.
I always had this feeling that I want to create. But there was always this strong fight within me – for and against showing it out in the open. I share what I learn along the way. But then I looked at all those flawless video interviews where everything sounded so well thought and there were no more words than needed. Definitely not “and”, “like” pauses. I didn’t want to add to the noise, say what has already been said a million times by others.
Then I realised, without making a mark, I exist only in my closest circle. I don’t have influence and I’m not sparking serendipitous events that could lead to being involved in something bigger and impactful. Out of my comfort zone and into exciting unknown.
And I knew that other people may look up to me and admire what I do, but somehow my critical-self made it easy to brush it off with “it’s nothing” statement. I now know that I’m better off than most people who still dwell on a thought that they should give “it” a try. Most never will. They will live regretfully never having dared.
Last year, after 15 years break, I restarted training karate. Different school so starting from zero. I was yet reminded how I should be looking at kaizen – a constant improvement process.
Our dojo kan states:
Hitotsu – Reisetsu O Toetobu Beshi
One – Be Always Courteous And Humble.
Hitotsu – Wa No Kokore O yashinau Beshi
One – Cultivate A Peaceful Mind
Hitotsu – Nintai Surukoto O Manabu Beshi
One – Learn To Be Patient.
Hitotsu – Shjojin Ne Tessu Beshi
One – Strive Hard To Be A Better Person.
Hitotsu – Kokoro To Waza No Ichi Ni Tsutomu Beshi
One – Try To Develop Your Spirit And The Techniques Of Karate In The Same Level.
Hitotsu – Karate-do No Shinjo O Seikatsu Ni Ikasu Beshi
One – Apply The Principles Of Karate In Your Daily Life.
Here, the more experienced teach you with patience and willingness. No judgement. Your growth is their success and proving excellence. Now I’m looking at myself doing things first time as my force, not a weakness. Every now and then I f*ck up. So what?
Beginnings are the worst, but also the most exciting. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Beginners should be supported more, because you see, the word amateur comes from the Latin word ‘amare,’ which means ‘to love.’
An amateur is someone who’s mainly driven by their love for a subject, not money.
We should encourage startupers (of any kind, not only those tech ones with big media headlines) more.
If you hesitate to share something – do it anyway. You’ll show that you’re braver and bolder than most people. Now, more than ever, we can’t be silent. So share what you’ve learned. You always know more of something than the other person. Give without asking anything in return. The law of reciprocity will take care of you anyway. We owe this to ourselves and others who are less fortunate than us. Let’s use our resources and will power to do more good, to grow and build with others things that are bigger than the sum of us.
