Do one thing every day that scares you. Isn't that what Baz Luhrman advised in the Sunscreen Song? In addition to wearing sunscreen, I mean. I'd like to add something of my own. Do one thing every day that makes you feel like an idiot.
I am not talking about oversleeping, locking yourself out of your apartment, leaving the bathroom with toilet paper on your shoe, or snorting when you laugh. I'm talking about something intentional. I want you to do something, on purpose, where you run the risk of feeling like a moron. Put yourself out there. Subject yourself to something uncertain and see where it takes you.
It doesn't take a very long time for us to figure what we're good at and what we're not—where our talents lie and where they don't. Once we have made these determinations, it is only natural that we gravitate toward the things we're good at. When you picked a major (for those of you who have), did you choose the thing you find most difficult? The thing you hate? Of course you didn't! You found something you enjoyed. But here's the thing. . . if we limit ourselves to only what we already know we're good at, do we learn? Or do we just cubby-hole ourselves into one thing, stroke our egos, and decide that we are the smartest person on earth?
Frankly, that attitude doesn't quite cut it. Only by taking the chance of looking dumb, do we realize how much there is out there to try and wrap our minds around. Only by admitting that we don't know everything, that we aren't good at everything, can we keep it real.I will warn you that this is not necessarily easy. It's not necessarily all bad either. I promise. Just to prove to you that I'm not some jerk telling you to skydive when I've never actually strapped on a parachute myself, let me share a couple of stories from my own experience.
I have two very recent ventures into humility. The first was my initial work-out with the Penn State Martial Arts Group. After seeing my first column last semester, I received an invitation to check out PSMAG. I learned a few things by taking an opportunity to join them in practice. First of all, I am an uncoordinated doofus. Secondly, that stuff is not as easy as Jackie Chan makes it look. Third—and most important—I could learn a heck of a lot from martial arts, and I really am interested in doing so.
My second foray into the land of "Marianne don't know jack" was my decision to audit a 500-level educational psychology seminar this semester. My background is not in psychology, and most of the other students in the class are working on their doctorates. Can we say, "fish out of water"? Seriously, though, I figured if I survived a similar experience last semester, why not try it again. Besides, even though it isn't my area of expertise, the topic of the course definitely interests me.
Class hasn't been in session for very long, but I have already learned quite a bit. First of all, I am not as intelligent as I sometimes like to believe I am. Secondly, I am probably going to make so many pointless contributions to the class discussion that my instructor will be able to write a book. Third—and most important—I am going to learn a heck of a lot from this seminar, and maybe someday I'll be able to make more insightful conversation on the topic.
The point is you never learn if you just keep doing the same things over and over. So don't be afraid to branch out. Only by admitting that we are idiots, and coming to terms with it, can we appreciate all there is to know. It's okay to feel stupid sometimes. That's not a personal failure. It's motivation to learn. Embrace your idiocy!
So be a little bold the next time you are faced with the possibility of looking less than brilliant. Do it anyway. I guarantee you will take something from it in addition to humility.
Of course, certain precautions are sometimes advisable. If you're going to skydive, for example, it's okay to have a parachute. Whatever you do, don't forget to wear sunscreen.
