0 to 5's First Step May Be 0 to 1

First of all, credit to James Hoffmann for this story.

Jimmy volunteers by helping kids with their math. Second of all, thank you for doing this, Jimmy!

He told me a story about a kid he was helping who kept getting 0 out of 5 on this math. However, this particular time, he got a 1. In Jimmy's eyes, this wasn't worth celebrating. But that kid couldn't have been more pleased with his 1!

It reminded me of how we tackle challenges at times. We want the 5 out of 5. And, in essence, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. But I do think we need to ease off of ourselves and each other when it's a challenge that needs to get from a 0 to 1 first.

And really, aren't most challenges this way?

We have a weakness. Hopefully we want to bridge that skills gap. Or, our supervisor or mentor tells us it's a good idea to (in so many words). Are we thrilled with that step of 0 to 1? 1 to 2? 2 to 3? Probably not.

But shouldn't we be?

It's amazing what we can learn from kids. You know, what we used to be. And we didn't go from kid to the age we are now overnight. We went from age 8 to 9. From 9 to 10.

You get the idea.

Be kind to yourself this week by going from 0 to 1...and celebrating it.

If you want to be challenged: help a direct report, peer, supervisor, mentee or mentor realize this.

Let me know a 0 to 1 situation that you are in by posting in the comments.

ryan

Ryan Kauth

Ryan Kauth is a business coach for family enterprise owners and serial founders, a fractional executive, university lecturer, co-founder, and volunteer. Some of those volunteer hours he spends time with kids. You can grab a slot on his calendar here .

Go, Jimmy!