What Do You Know

The right answer is Not as much as you think.

Let’s take a minute to reflect on life, and give improvement a shot. Let go of your ego, and let’s dive in.

Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, said that learning what you already believe you know is impossible. Well, something like that. Whether it’s a concept or a physical skill, learning works by making new connections between neurons. If you believe you already know all there is in a field, you prevent new connections from being made.

Knock yourself down a peg or two. Come to the table with the emptiest slate you can and open up. Be ready and willing to learn from anyone — not just those in positions you’d like to be in. Believing that you’re too good to learn from anyone is hubris at its finest.

You can be interested in anything — no matter what it is you have to be a life-long learner to succeed. If you can keep the same state of mind and approach you took back in kindergarten, you can go far. It’s alright to be wrong — even better, it’s good. Being wrong gives you the opportunity to learn.

We all suffer from the delusion of competence. We all think we have nothing to learn from newbies or amateurs. And we’re all wrong. It takes admitting that you don’t know everything to learn anything.

Let's Get Down to Business

Business fail. It's a thing. The majority don't even make it off the ground. Hubris, a total lack of humility, is very often why. In business, being a know-it-all will ensure your downfall. Focusing on your weak points may be counter-intuitive today. All business advice seems to say just the opposite. Focusing on your strengths will only serve to keep your weaknesses as they are. In order to get better, you have to first accept that you have room for improvement.

In any business situation, you'll eventually hit a brick wall with your face. If you continue to push forward, in the same way, you'll keep hitting your face.