Kintsugi of the Mind: Embracing Flaws and Learning from Mistakes

byrichardgb

2.3K followers

2 years ago

Have you ever heard of Kintsugi?

It's a remarkable Japanese art form where broken pottery pieces are mended using gold.

The result?

A piece that's not only repaired but also stunningly unique. Now, imagine applying this philosophy to our own lives, particularly in business development and building your website.

Mistakes are as inevitable in life as they are in the journey of entrepreneurship and website creation. However, society as most of us know it, often paints errors in a negative light.

• Japanese proverb: "七転び八起き" (Nanakorobi yaoki)
• Translation: "Fall seven times, stand up eight."

This much quoted proverb reflects the strength and adaptability needed to embrace our mistakes and learn from them.

So, food for reflection, in your mind are your setbacks, errors, or opportunities for growth?

In Kintsugi, the first step is acknowledging the error or setback. In our lives, this translates to recognizing and accepting our mistakes.

The meticulous process of repairing in Kintsugi is akin to learning from our errors. Just as gold in Kintsugi enhances the pottery's beauty and value, our experiences and learnings enhance our personal and professional growth.

• Quote by Masaaki Hatsumi: "不動心” (Fudōshin)
• Translation: "Immovable heart/mind."

This direct translation is not quite what is meant in Japanese. In Japan the quote reflects the steadiness and acceptance required when acknowledging and learning from our mistakes.

The concept of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection, is central to this discussion. It's about shifting our mindset from hiding flaws to embracing and learning from them. Historical figures like Thomas Edison, who viewed his many 'failures' as steps towards success, reinforce this philosophy.

• Japanese Saying: "石の上にも三年" (Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen)
• Translation: "Even a rock will warm up if sat on for three years." It speaks of the doggedness and patience in transforming mistakes into strengths.

In the context of website creation and business, this philosophy can be thought of as mindfulness, and acceptance of one's flaws and mistakes.

Continuous improvement is key, and so is encouraging others by sharing your journey of turning mistakes into valuable lessons.

• Japanese Proverb: "風が吹けば桶屋が儲かる" (Kaze ga fukeba okeya ga moukaru)
• Translation: "When the wind blows, the bucket maker profits."

This reflects on how unexpected changes (like mistakes) can lead to new opportunities.

To sum up, embracing our flaws and learning from mistakes is not just a philosophy but a practical approach to personal and professional development. As you reflect on your own 'cracks', think of how you can mend them with 'gold', transforming your experiences into something even more beautiful.

A Couple More Questions

If we fail to set goals of any kind, can we still have setbacks?

Why do people often not set themselves specific goals?

OK… what is your opinion?
:-)
Richard

P.S. References for Further Reading

1. "Kintsugi: Embracing the Imperfect and Celebrating the Mended" by Céline Santini.
2. "Wabi Sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence" by Andrew Juniper.
3. "The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets to Creating a Successful Future" by Skip Prichard.