Don’t Be Afraid to Feel Stupid - How to be an Expert Beginner.🙃🤡

Published: Tue, 08/08/23

"Wisdom begins with the courage to admit ignorance and the audacity to learn despite feeling foolish."

Anton Marks

Not feeling stupid in High School for me was difficult. I was a self-conscious kid that wanted every utterance from my young mouth to be profound and significant. I would rather stay mute than say something in front of a classroom or a meeting that did not blow my audience away.

What an unrealistic expectation for a young man!

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Your Fear of Looking Stupid is Holding You Back.

The crazy part is that it was all self-imposed. Thankfully, my perfectionism was focused on my speech alone. Reflecting on my creative career, I'm triggered by some residual anxiety. I can’t help thinking it was dumb luck that kept me on the creative path. I may have had issues with looking stupid when I spoke up but thank God; I had no such doubts when I wrote. I didn’t care how people perceived my writing efforts. All I knew was that I had something to say, and I would learn what I needed to so I could say it.

I was an expert beginner at writing fiction, and that viewpoint has never changed over the years. I’ve been blessed to write in a genre that was supportive of it.

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In the world of speculative fiction, creativity knows no bounds, and innovation often stems from embracing the unknown and thinking outside the box. As a speculative fiction author, I've encountered moments where you might feel hesitant or foolish for sharing your wildest ideas. However, being an "Expert Beginner" means embracing that feeling and turning it into a source of empowerment and creativity. One of the examples that always pops into my head when I think of ‘Stupid Ideas’ is the hilarious example of the cult phenomenon - the movie "Sharknado."

"Sharknado," a movie about a tornado filled with sharks wreaking havoc on Los Angeles and perfectly embodies the "Expert Beginner" mentality. The idea had to be pitched to a movie executive or a group of producers. Some brave and creative minds had to muster the courage to stand up and propose the absurd notion of combining sharks and tornadoes. At first glance, it seemed ridiculous, but this brave soul didn't shy away from sharing their outrageous vision. The rest, as they say, is history - "Sharknado" became a cult classic, captivating audiences worldwide with its unabashed absurdity.

Embracing the Expert Beginner mindset encourages us to cultivate the courage to express even the craziest notions. We must realise that sometimes, the most outlandish ideas can lead to groundbreaking creations. In the realm of speculative fiction, where imagination reigns supreme, nurturing this fearless spirit can be the catalyst for revolutionary narratives and unforgettable stories.

I’ve learned a few valuable things about embodying the Expert Beginner mentality:

Embrace Fear and Vulnerability: Accept that feeling stupid or vulnerable is an inherent part of the creative process. When you free yourself from the fear of judgment, you open the floodgates to unlimited creativity. Getting there ain't easy, but when you do, it's one of the most liberating of feelings.

Dare to be Different: Break away from conventions and established norms. Challenge yourself to develop ideas that defy expectations and venture into uncharted territories. It's scary but essential if you want to leave a mark with your original ideas.

Fail Forward: Every idea may not turn into a masterpiece, but failure is an essential stepping stone on the path to success. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and use it to refine and improve your concepts.

Cultivate a Supportive Environment: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who encourage experimentation and celebrate daring ideas. Collaborating with a supportive community can fuel your creativity and provide valuable feedback.

Trust Your Instincts: Don't dismiss your instincts, even if they seem unconventional. Take risks and trust your gut when developing storylines, characters, or themes. We tend to want permission from colleagues, peers or even society before we decide on anything. We must actively fight that compulsion. Your ideas are your own fight for them.

Iterate and Refine: Once you've shared your initial idea, be open to feedback and be willing to iterate and refine your concept. Make sure you do it on your terms. This iterative process is crucial for turning a seemingly silly notion into a well-crafted masterpiece.

Overcome the fear and embarrassment of looking stupid by reframing the narrative you tell yourself. Become an expert beginner in whatever you do and see your results skyrocket. Who knows, your next "Sharknado" moment might lead to the creation of something very special.

Be Your Own Hero.