Meditations for Entrepreneurs #29: Learning Nothing

My continuing series: quoting great thinkers who inspire me, then offering commentary on how it connects with the entrepreneurial game. I hope these meditations will help other entrepreneurs play the bigger game. 

“Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing.”

― Thich Nhat Hanh

As founders, we are filled with ideas and the drive to make them reality. We become singular in our focus to make things happen.

Sometimes in our enthusiasm we reflexively accept information that agrees with our views, and reject information that disagrees.

How often do we really take the time think deeply about the information we take in before deciding whether it fits with our worldview?

How often do we approach with a beginners mind and recheck our assumptions whether we agree or disagree with the information?

During my first startup, I was determined to launch a lower touch DIY version of our core product. The research we did was positive but not really convincing, and it was clear that creating the DIY version would require resources for a development and marketing that were much better spent on our core offering.

But I was convinced this product would do well. It didn't.

Embracing humility up front may help you avoid it being forced up

on you later on.