Every Master was once a Beginner and Still is!
- Utkarsh Narang
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
December 15, 2025
Welcome to another beautiful week. When an idea sparks that I think is worth sharing, it becomes this weekly newsletter. If something hits home, write back. I love conversations. This is Weekly Spark #30.
At the same moment in life, you can be an expert in one area, a novice in one area, and a complete beginner in another.
And that’s not a flaw. That’s the design.
Yet somewhere along the way, we start resisting being beginners.
We cling to expertise. We protect our competence. We avoid spaces where we might look slow, unsure, or unpolished. But growth doesn’t happen where you’re comfortable. It happens where you’re learning.
Why Being a Beginner Feels Uncomfortable
Being a beginner means:
Asking “obvious” questions
Making clumsy attempts
Not having the answers
Feeling exposed
In a world obsessed with credibility and confidence, beginner energy feels risky.
So we stay where we’re good. We repeat what we already know. We optimise instead of explore.
And slowly, learning gives way to stagnation.
The Truth About Mastery
Every expert you admire was once a beginner. Every skill you respect began with confusion. Every meaningful journey followed the same cycle:
Beginner → Learner → Practitioner → Expert → Beginner again
The cycle never ends. The moment it does, growth stops.
The best leaders, artists, athletes, and thinkers I know don’t protect their expertise.
They protect their curiosity.
Being a Beginner as an Individual
In life, being a beginner might mean:
Starting a new role
Learning a new skill
Entering a new phase of life
Re-examining beliefs you once held strongly
The moment you say,
“I already know this,” learning shuts down.
The moment you say,
“I’m willing to be new at this,” a possibility opens up.
Being a beginner is not about incompetence. It’s about humility paired with courage.
Being a Beginner as a Team
Great teams don’t pretend to know everything. They ask better questions.
Teams that keep learning:
Review what’s working and what’s not
Invite fresh perspectives
Let juniors challenge seniors
Create space for experimentation
Teams that stop being beginners start defending the status quo.
Curiosity keeps teams alive. Certainty kills them. Learning is a strategic advantage.
The Beginner’s Mindset
To be a beginner is to say:
I don’t know — yet
I’m open to learning
I’m willing to look foolish today to be wiser tomorrow
That mindset doesn’t make you weaker. It keeps you relevant.
Final Spark
You don’t have to be a beginner at everything. But you must always be a beginner at something. That’s how you stay alive, curious, and growing.
Ask yourself today:
Where have I stopped learning?
Where am I protecting expertise instead of curiosity?
Where is it time to begin again?
Stay a student. Stay open. Stay alive.
With curiosity and courage,
Utkarsh
Coach | Founder, IgnitedNeurons
PS If you want to learn about the six skills you need in 2026 to thrive and grow, then you must listen to this episode.
#51 How to Stay Employable in 2026 with Abhijit Bhaduri
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