Challenging Our Own Ignorance

A Happy New Year to everyone! This is the first post of 2022 and I wanted to extend my very best wishes to every single person reading this article today. May your year be even more amazing than you planned! :)

With that said let's get into today's discussion. I know the title is a little harsh but sometimes we need that extra push to move outside of our comfort zones.

There are moments in life when the gap between the knowledge and experience we have, versus the knowledge and experience which is required will be far and wide.

In these moments, best case, we are acutely aware and accepting of the need to assimilate more resources and do the work to fill the gap. We do our research, we seek out mentors, we practice, we reevaluate, we change, we grow.

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Then there may be circumstances where the gap is mishandled and the potential opportunity for growth is not recognized.

Whether through a false sense of pride or willful ignorance, we may believe that we "already know" enough.

If ever there were words that limit the opportunity for growth it would be the ones in this phrase - "I already know."

Even when the results dictate that there must be a shortfall somewhere, if you maintain that you already know, then it means that you have effectively blocked opportunities to expand or gain more depth to improve, to grow and to propel ourselves forward.

We must have the courage to challenge our own ignorance.

We need the courage and the will to face our weaknesses, our knowledge gaps and our experiential immaturity in various respective areas of our lives. This kind of courage calls for the abandonment of the notion "I already know." We must remain intentionally and carefully open-minded and perceptive.

It also takes complete humility to acknowledge our flaws. This is essential and especially true if the gap or weakness is highlighted by someone else in the form of constructive criticism - whether kind or harsh. Nobody likes to be wrong or to feel inadequate. However, in our humanness, we must accept that there will always be space for growth and improvement as we are imperfect and ever evolving beings. It will sometimes call for a bruising of our egoic pride in order to accept the need to completely start from scratch if required.

If we fail to challenge our own ignorance, we will not see the need to reframe our areas of weakness as catalysts for powerful expansion.

Think of any time in your life when someone pointed out to you that there was a better way to perform a task or to handle a scenario. You may have genuinely not been aware or at the time you did not share the same view, but if you dismissively chose to believe that you "already know", you would have closed the door to insight that could have potentially made a fundamental change in your life.

If the realization comes through self introspection, but you are unwilling to challenge what you think you already know, or seek ways to gain further wisdom and insight then it remains an opportunity missed. The Bible teaches us in the book of James that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for his guidance and he will freely give it. The book of Proverbs consistently implores us to seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is important to honestly assess if our unwillingness to do so at any time, is due to stubbornness, laziness, false pride or maybe a perceived fear. This honesty with yourself will raise your self awareness and enhance your objective analysis of where you truly stand.

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In essence, the ability and the willingness to challenge our own ignorance is essential to consistent improvement in our behavior, performance and self development. It will take courage, humility, focus, commitment and a deep level of awareness in order to face ourselves, or accept criticism and then take responsibility for the required change and importantly take action. Any and all improvement will be confirmation that you are moving toward the direction of the best version of yourself in the infinite and forever expansive game of life.

In closing. I'll share this powerful quote from the book "The Infinite Game" by one of the most influential visionaries of our time, Simon Sinek:

“As for us those who choose to embrace the infinite mindset, our journey is one that will lead us to feel inspired every morning, safe when we are work, and fulfilled at the end of each day. And when it’s time to leave the game we will look back at our lives and our careers and say, “I lived a life worth living and important when imaging what the future holds, we will see how many people we’ve inspired to carry on the journey without us.”

Be blessed everyone, until next time.

(Photo by Kevin Xue - Unsplash Images)