Home » Education & Career » Employment Satisfaction » Even the tai chi master was once a beginner

Even the tai chi master was once a beginner

© Kelly L. Henderson

The tai chi instructor moved smoothly from form to form. His class of beginners followed him awkwardly, sometimes stiffly, straining to attain the same fluidity of arms and legs, trying to watch his every move, and at the same time to focus their attention on their own movements as he had taught them.

At the other end of the gymnasium the advanced group went through the same forms plus a roster of advanced ones. They moved easily from position to position, without strain, and in perfect concert. The frantic catch-up often required of the beginners was not needed here. This group was experienced, calm, and confident.

From the sidelines of the gymnasium I observed both groups. I admired the advanced group for the beauty of its seamless choreography; and I admired the beginners for their intention to learn and their willingness to experience the inevitable awkwardness. The next week I joined them.

There is nothing quite as uncomfortable as starting something new. The expression "a fish out of a water" says it all. You feel yourself flailing about physically or mentally while you try to grasp a new concept or technique. Yet there is no other way to learn something new, whatever it may be. There is always an initial period of strangeness, and if you want to learn you must persevere through this stage.

This reluctance to risk looking foolish often keeps people from doing things they really want to do. They are so afraid of making a mistake that they cannot even begin. They are afraid of what people will think of them. They dislike the feeling of incompetence being a beginner gives them. People often drop out at this early stage, finding avoidance preferable to the uneasy struggle with the new.

No matter what activity we do in life there is always a first time for it. And as long as we continue to learn new things in life - hopefully all our lives - we will encounter this delicious state of awkwardness. I felt it myself on my first day at tai chi class.

All the other beginners were already a dozen lessons or so ahead of me. I was well behind and had to learn a lot to catch up. I was also pretty sure I was going to look silly doing it. But my desire to learn was strong and I was not going to let temporary awkwardness stop me. I know from experience that the feeling of newness only lasts for so long. I have only to do my best, keep up with the class as well as I can, and slowly but surely I will learn.

The copyright of the article Even the tai chi master was once a beginner in Employment Satisfaction is owned by Kelly L. Henderson. Permission to republish Even the tai chi master was once a beginner in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.