Feeling Incompetent? Duh.

By Anita Garner

Here’s one answer, short and sweet and to the point.  This comes from Seth Godin.  I cozied right up to it. It’s a topic my blogging buddy, Dave Williams, and I discuss often in one form or another.

Seth thinks a lot of smart thoughts.  Writes about them.  Posts some of them.

Here’s Seth.

At some point, grown ups get tired of the feeling that accompanies growth and learning.

We start calling that feeling, “incompetence.”

We’re not good at the new software, we resist a brainstorming session for a new way to solve a problem, we never did bother to learn to juggle…

Not because we don’t want the outcomes, but because the journey promises to be difficult. Difficult in the sense that we’ll feel incompetent.

Which accompanies all growth.

First we realize something can be done.

Then we realize we can’t do it.

And finally, we get better at it.

It’s the second step that messes with us.

If you care enough to make a difference, if you care enough to get better–you should care enough to experience incompetence again.

Here’s me again:  Thank you, Seth.

Click here to go to Seth’s homepage where  you can read his blog every day.  Or subscribe.

4 thoughts on “Feeling Incompetent? Duh.”

  1. This is about me trying to learn to play guitar. I’ve got a nice one but have been stuck on the second step for years.

  2. Oh my dear – I know whereof you speak. At least neither of us stops at the second step every time. Sometimes we actually breeze on past and bring new skills into our lives.

  3. I know that feeling Dave, I still have the first (and only) guitar I ever bought. I bought it in Carmichael two doors down from Serritella’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria with my heart set on being a folk guitarist. Not sure what step I gave up on but I did learn to play Four Strong Winds. Now I just enjoy listening to my son play like it was the easiest thing in the world.

  4. Hi Bruce, Love this story – the part about listening to your son play. He must have the gift.

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