“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”
– Shunryu Suzuki
If I were to encapsulate my experience as an entrepreneur so far I would use the words, “I don’t know what I’m doing!”
“I don’t know what I am doing” is both an accurate description of my everyday experience, and a personal reminder to stay humble. I think too often these days entrepreneurs start a company for the perceived glamor of it. However, if one is only focused on the glory, one is less likely to be resilient to the uncertainty, confusion, and failures along the way. Alternatively, a “beginner’s mind” keeps you open and excited about new learnings and possibilities and less pressured to excel all the time. It’s an attitude that lets one seek help from others, of which entrepreneurs need plenty, and admit one’s shortcomings-of which everyone has plenty.
An entrepreneur has to be comfortable with not knowing and the inevitable setbacks, and she/he must not forget to find joy in the journey regardless of the result. So, my advice: Get comfortable with admitting you don’t know what you’re doing, so you can worry less, drop the pretensions, and instead look forward to all the amazing possibilities and little victories ahead.