Be Bad First by Erika Andersen Summary
We all face the challenges of the fast-changing world that requires us to learn fast as well. But not all have the willingness to go back to being novice after we’ve become an expert to some things.
Our excuse is that” you cannot teach old dogs, new tricks.”
We hate the feeling of incompetence, embarrassment and, the frustration of learning new things.
But if the change is inevitable and necessary, how do we handle these things? How do we overcome this negative self-talk? How do we get comfortable with being uncomfortable? How do we achieve this mastery mindset?
In her book Be Bad First: Get Good at Things FAST to Stay Ready for the Future, Erika Andersen said that by practicing the four elements of mindset mastery, we can learn anything. Andersen summarizes it in the acronym, A.N.E.W. Model which stands for
Aspiration
Neutral Self-Awareness
Endless Curiosity
Willingness to be bad first
Let’s break the ANEW Model so that we can understand it more.
Aspiration.
Aspiration is the eagerness to make yourself to do things, including wanting to learn.
For most of us, we think that aspiration is innate, but it can also be made.
Here’s how to make yourself want to learn things.
1. Imagine and focus on the personal benefits to your learning it
List down the benefits you can get in learning a new skill and how it can create an impact in your life.
2. Envision “possible world” where you enjoying those benefits.
Describe what success looks like and feels like. Use present tense when you define your possible world. Write it down. Use the present tense as if you achieved it already.
Neutral Self-Awareness
If we want to be good at something, you must be willing to accept our current state (what you know and what you didn’t know). To have neutral self-awareness is to be objective about our strength and weaknesses.
To increase neutral self-awareness,
1. Manage your self-talk.
We often self-talk. But most of the time, we do negative self-talk.
Andersen said that “we have this continuous mental monologue running at the back of our mind, underneath everyday conversation and actions.”
The key is how to manage our self-talk by doing the 4R’s — we Recognize, Record, Rethink and Repeat.
- Recognize — be honest and aware of the self-talks you have
- Record — Write down your self-talk. Writing makes things more tangible and can able to look at it objectively
- Rethink- the core of the process. Create positive alternative self-talk.
- Repeat — Like any habit, it requires repetition to master it.
2. Become your own fair witness
We are poor judge of ourselves because we are more emotionally attached to something. In order to be objective and be your own fair witness, you should:
- Recognize/record your self-talk
- Ask yourself, “Is my self-talk accurate? What facts do I have about myself in this area?”
3. Invite “good sources”
Be willing and open to accept feedback from others. Good sources are people who see you clearly, wants the best for you and willing to be honest.
When you ask feedback:
- Be clear why you need their feedback.
- Invite and reassure that you will not be offended no matter what they say.
- Keep listening and don’t try to defend yourself. Summarize and ask questions for clarity.
- Say thank you they deserve it.
Endless Curiosity
When we are still kids, we were naturally curious. We barrage everyone with “Why…?”, “‘How…?” and “What if…?”. We are not afraid to look dumb.
But as we grow older, the curiosity ceases. We feel afraid of asking because we hate to look “inefficient and insubordinate.” which is not actually the case.
To re-ignite our endless curiosity, we must:
1. Find your own curiosity “sparks”
Ask yourself,” What topic about which you’re curious? What does it feel like? What do you find yourself doing in response to yourself talk.”
2. Fan the flames of self-talk and action
Ask yourself, “ How does that work? Why does that happen? How can I found more?”
3. Feed the fire of curiosity?
Create your own personal “curiosity match.” — Erika Andersen
A piece of self-talk that will spark your curiosity and will encourage you to get more serious and take action.
These can be “I have fun learning.” or “I enjoy learning new thing.” Or you may imitate Michelangelo’s “Ancora imparo” which means “ I am still learning.”
Willingness to be Bad First
Most adults deeply dislike and strongly hate being in a novice state.
We are uncomfortable of the emotional soup of embarrassment, frustration, boredom, anxiety an impatience when we’re require to learn new skill
We must accept the fact that to be good, it is essential to be bad first. To become to be bad first, you:
1. Fully accept being not-good
Understand that being bad at doing things the first time is acceptable and inevitable.
2. Believe in your ability to get good.
Acknowledge that all the things you currently know came from the state of not-knowing. Remind yourself that if you have done it before, you can do it again.
3. Bridge from you already know
The truth of the fact is you are “not totally” newbie when learning new stuff. Your past experiences, current skills, and expertise will play a big part in helping you learn faster.
Conclusion
All of the four elements of mastery — having aspiration, being neutrally self-aware, re-igniting the curiosity and having the willingness to be bad first — will take a big part in our mindset, especially our self-talk. It all starts there.
I recommend that you practice these new found skills in whatever areas in your life now. Believe that you can because you can. Remember, BE BAD FIRST.
