There is a concept that originates from Zen Buddhism known as Shoshin, which means “beginner’s mind”. It refers to the practice of letting go of your preconceptions about something and approaching it with an open mind.
“Shoshin is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner’s mind. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.”
Wikipedia
Learning this practice of “beginner’s mind” as you approach retirement can be an extremely important and powerful tool. It can help you create a fresh mindset that’s open to the changes life will bring in this next stage of your life.
When you approach a situation as a complete beginner, your mind is open to the possibilities and results that it might bring. You’re willing to learn along the way, like a child discovering something for the first time. Throughout our lives, we develop knowledge and experience that closes our minds to these new possibilities, as we approach a situation thinking “I already know how to do this”.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”
– Shunryu Suzuki
Retirement is a new stage of life with many transitions and changes. Approaching it with the mindset of “I know how this will be” can set you up to fail. Because you don’t know how this will go, you. haven’t lived in your retired life yet.
The skills that you acquire cumulatively throughout your career, won’t apply in the same way when you retire. This is why some people struggle with the transition into retirement, as the things they think they know and understand may need to be applied in new and different ways.
All of the effort you have put into your career – striving towards your goals, achieving your ambitions, and increasing your purpose, now has to be put to the side to make room for a different outlook on your future.
Here are some easy suggestions on how you can incorporate ‘beginner’s mind’ into your daily life as you approach retirement.
Be Passionately Curious
Curiosity helps us develop empathy and understanding. Instead of judging certain situations, we can ask questions and learn more. When we are curious, we are more resourceful, knowledgeable and self-aware.
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein
Prioritize Learning
Be open to learning new things, things that you might think you know about or maybe know nothing about, and take on board all of the fresh knowledge without preconceptions. As you learn more, you’ll discover more about yourself and improve your confidence and sense of well-being.
Practice Mindfulness
Make time for yourself to take a step back and empty your mind. Using a technique such as meditation can really help you to let go of unnecessary thoughts and really bring your focus to the present moment. By stilling your mind, you’re able to gain new perspective. I have some free meditations and visualizations available for you to use here.
Say Less and Ask More
It’s brilliant to be able to share your thoughts and bring value to other people in conversation, but try to develop an awareness of holding back on what you say sometimes and being open to listening more. A great technique to do this is by simply asking “Tell me more about that.” By taking that time to be quiet and pouring your attention into what others are saying, you’re opening your mind to hearing about the world from someone else’s perspective.
Opening your mind to ‘Shoshin’ is not a one-time endeavor, and will be a continual adaptation as you move through the various stages of retirement. But, by practicing this flexible mindset approach as you retire, you will find it becomes so much easier to grow, learn, and listen.
To learn more about how to harness ‘beginners mind’ as you approach retirement, schedule a call with me. I’d love to hear from you!