The Beginner’s Mind

zen-cupWhoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. ~ Matthew 18:3 (MSG)

Bear with me … you will understand the reference as you read.

I find it fascinating so much of what I read, whether it is about nutrition, business, or self-improvement, all centers around some pretty basic concepts. In other words, there is nothing new under the sun.

Awhile back I read a book entitled It’s Not About the Money by Brent Kessel. In this book, the author proclaims for there to be lasting change in one’s financial situation, there has to be a change which comes from within; it is not external.

Isn’t that the way it is with everything we strive to get better at, not just finances?

::giggle::

Kessel explains part of this change comes from striving to develop the beginner’s mind. Meaning: approaching and treating everything you do from a newness standpoint whereby the results will be surprising.

Let’s liken it to the hCG Protocol.

When first starting hCG, we treat it as this precious commodity, which it is. We are enamored by the newness, thrilled with how it makes us feel, loving every minute of it. We set boundaries which nothing can penetrate because, gosh darn, this is the real thing. We research all about it; we are constantly filling our minds with getting to know it; spending every waking minute thinking about it, and by gosh, we are telling everyone around us about it because we have never felt this way before.

Then we get to know it. We live with it for a while. We start to find out all the little idiosyncrasies and if we are not careful, they start to annoy us. And like most relationships, being human, we start taking it for granted. And like relationships, if we don’t nurture it, respect it, honor it, we can fall into indifference, only going back to it when we want a little something something, if you catch my meaning.

So we go back for a little something something, and for a brief moment, we remember how it used to be; we long for that. However, sometimes we are so pooped; we can’t find the energy to be the person we were when it was new. We dabble. We forget the boundaries. We forget to plan for a date, getting ourselves all dolled up, feeling so good about ourselves because we found the real thing. We go to dinner in our slippers and pajama bottoms (no one will notice!). When we do that, even though we are fooling ourselves into thinking we are trying, are we really?

How can we get back to that first stage, the newness stage?

It is imperative we practice the beginner’s mind.

We have to be content to be like children, simple and elemental. Be a beginner and really experience hCG as one who knows little, or nothing. Someone who has a desperate need to learn the bare necessities.

This isn’t easy, because we dislike being beginners. However, with hCG it’s the only way to tackle it and win!

When embarking on your next hCG round, keep in mind every round is different. What happened on your first round five years ago is not what will happen on this round today.

You are different, the world is different. Proceed into your next round with a Beginner’s Mind, with all the newness and awe you had on your very first round. Put on that make up, get your hair and nails done, pick out the best clothes, and carry emergency supplies in your tote. (Men have totes too!!!)

You do this and you will be surprised at the results!

Tips on developing Beginner’s Mind:

  • Believe There Is More to Learn: There is always something new to learn, even if you are an expert at something. Re-read Pounds and Inches. I am shocked at how much I learn each and every time I read it. I am actually considering running a weekly recap of the entire book…hmmmm…any interest out there?
  • Believe You Need to Know What’s New: There is a burning desire to always learn, find out what has changed, or if there are new ideas or findings to apply.
  • Believe You Can Improve: Are you there? Have you arrived? No such thing. Everyone can improve in something. Getting better and better is the name of the game.
  • Believe You Can Learn from Others: One word, SUPPORT. One-on-one, group, mentor, coach, it doesn’t matter; support means there is always this interchange of encouragement and solutions … isolation doesn’t help a thing!

In simple terms, it means we should never feel as if we have something all figured out. We are works in progress and should always be hungry for more information at every step of this journey we call life. It’s an insatiable desire to gain more knowledge and wisdom, because we know there is so much more to learn.

Not too long ago, I was showing my Mom how to do something on her Mac (yes, she is 92 and has a Mac, geesh). The look on her face when she learned this new tool was priceless. And in complete and utter honesty, she looked at me and said, “I cannot die yet; I have way too much to learn”.

That sums it up. Seriously. Right there people, that is the Beginner’s Mind.

4 Comments on The Beginner’s Mind

  1. Marcia says:

    Love it – great analogies. My husband and I were talking about having a fresh start with your book The First Step at the start of the New Year – a perfect time to do a round!

    • Biz Buzz says:

      Yippee!!! So happy to hear that Marcia! I know that more will be joining that is for sure!

  2. Karen says:

    I think this is one of the clearest and best things you have ever written and just what I needed to hear! Thanks!

    • Biz Buzz says:

      I am so happy to hear that Karen! I am glad you understood where I was coming from, I do so worry that I don’t make much sense sometimes! ::giggle::

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