There’s a concept I can’t stop thinking about: Shoshin.

Shoshin is a Zen Buddhist idea that translates to “beginner’s mind”—a state of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when approaching a subject, even as an expert.

And honestly? This mindset can change everything.

Why We Stop Being Beginners

As we grow, we fill our minds with experiences, beliefs, and assumptions. We build a map of reality that helps us navigate the world. Every new piece of information is filtered through what we already “know.”

This is helpful in many ways—it prevents us from having to relearn basic things over and over again. But there’s a problem:

🔹 We stop questioning what we know.
🔹 We resist new perspectives that don’t fit our existing beliefs.
🔹 We insulate ourselves from the discomfort of being a beginner.

And in doing so, we limit our growth.

Why Shoshin Matters

Think about the first time you tried something new—a sport, an instrument, a new skill. There was excitement, curiosity, and a willingness to make mistakes. That’s the power of the beginner’s mind.

But as we become “experienced,” we often lose that openness. We stop experimenting, we resist failure, and we become rigid in our thinking.

Shoshin reminds us that real growth happens when we stay open—when we embrace the discomfort of learning.

The Cost of an Expert’s Mindset

When we assume we already know something, we close the door to learning.

🚫 We reject information that contradicts what we believe.
🚫 We resist feedback because it challenges our ego.
🚫 We default to what’s familiar instead of what’s effective.

But the best in the world never stop learning. They stay curious. They approach every challenge with fresh eyes. They embrace the discomfort of not knowing.

Lean Into the Embarrassment of Learning

The truth is, every expert started as a beginner.

And the only way to achieve something meaningful is to embrace the discomfort of being new, of making mistakes, of feeling awkward and out of place.

Most people avoid this discomfort. But those who lean into it? They win.

Because growth isn’t about proving how much you know.
It’s about staying open to what you don’t.

Final Thought

Shoshin is a choice.
A choice to stay curious. To ask questions. To unlearn and relearn.
A choice to welcome uncertainty instead of fearing it.

So today, ask yourself:
👉 Where have I stopped being a beginner?
👉 Where can I approach life with fresh eyes?
👉 Where can I lean into the discomfort of learning?

The real breakthroughs happen when we let go of what we think we know—and step back into the mindset of a beginner.

Learning never stops.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep winning.

— MJ Nyota