I had a thought this week that honestly took a weight off my shoulders.
I’m an amateur.
Not in the sense that I haven’t done meaningful work, or that what I’ve learned doesn’t matter. But in the sense that today, this moment, this version of life, is still new.
And I don’t fully know what I’m doing.
The more I sat with that, the more freeing it became.
Because the truth is, we don’t live long enough to master life.
Every day brings something we haven’t seen before. New conversations. New pressures. New decisions. Even familiar situations show up with new variables. And yet, we walk into those moments expecting ourselves to respond like experts.
We expect Clarity. Confidence. Certainty.
But what if that expectation is the very thing weighing us down?
Amateurs don’t carry that pressure.
Amateurs try.
They learn.
They ask questions.
They’re willing to look awkward.
They stay open.
There’s a humility to it, but also a kind of freedom.
Because when you see yourself as an amateur, you stop trying to protect an image and start engaging with what’s actually in front of you.
And maybe that’s the invitation.
Not to become an expert at everything, but to become someone who is willing to learn in every moment.
To walk into your day curious instead of guarded.
To listen like you still have something to gain.
To let other people teach you something, even when you didn’t expect it.
If that’s true, then everyone becomes your teacher. And every moment becomes an opportunity to grow.
One Step
BE AN AMATEUR THIS WEEK!
Try something without needing to be good at it.
Ask a question you think you should already know.
Let yourself learn in public.
I’d actually love to hear how this goes for you.
What did “being an amateur” look like this week
Where did you try something new, ask a question, or step into something uncertain?
If you’re up for it, reply to this email or share a quick moment from your week. Even a simple note or a photo.
If this encouraged you, feel free to pass it along to someone who might need it too.
Until next week, let’s keep growing one step at a time.
Joel
PS. My amateur moment is today’s first “One Step Live.” I’m nervous and excited, and letting go of the pressure for it to be perfect.
