Never Become an Expert Redux
The moment you see yourself as an expert at something, you’ve put your subject in a box. It’s been turned into a mental abstraction. You now have a paradigm to defend.
Don’t interpret this as anti-learning. Many of the happiest, most purposeful and productive people on earth have found something which draws their attention like nothing else. They may have many interests, and often do. But they use this compelling pursuit as a central organizing principle. This aids them in releasing their best talents and abilities.
As they pursue it, they find it to be like peeling an onion with an infinite number of layers. The deeper they go, the more they realize how much they don’t know. They find this deeply humbling.
When someone performs brilliantly at something they often attract attention. People may begin calling this individual an expert or even a genius. So far, so good. However, a potential problem arises when this individual begins to read his own favorable press. The moment he buys into it is the beginning of the end.
Have you ever watched a famous actor or musician that has lost the edge? They’re still good at what they do, but that extra something that made them brilliant is gone. They may try to recapture their form by revisiting the past – by recalling how they used to do it. They are now in danger of becoming a caricature of their former selves. The problem is that they’re in their head instead of in touch with the creative genius that built their reputation in the first place.
When on the way up, they were trying new things. Experimenting. They didn’t yet have the formula, so they had nothing to defend. They were free and open to experience. However, once a route to success had been mapped, the experience crystalized into a concept. It no longer flowed like water. It became an insulating layer separating them from direct experience.
The Beatles (the 60′s musical group) are a good example of how not to fall into this trap. They were notorious for being flip with the press, which earned them the reputation of being a bit arrogant. However, the offbeat, often sarcastic remarks were usually in response to fawning questions or comments. The Beatles simply refused to buy into the flattery. Staying true to their art – and continually pressing the artistic envelope – helped them become one of the most creative and prolific musical groups in history.
The map is not the territory. Try as you may to describe the pleasure of a passionate kiss – your best description is a poor substitute for the experience itself. The key is to stay as close to the outside edge as possible. Being a turned-on lifelong learner is where the cheese is.
“If you think you’ve got it, that’s not it.” -Zen Proverb
“When you’re green you grow. When you’re ripe you rot.” -Ray Croc, founder of McDonalds
