The One Belief to Cultivate

Published on August 11, 2015 (↻ June 7, 2021), filed under Everything Else (RSS feed for all categories).

To new readers: I like to use absolutes as a tool, whenever I feel like their utility (applying a formula) outweighs their harm (forgetting that matters are relative).

There’s a particularly important belief, habit, or trait for us to cultivate: that whatever it is we want to be or master, we can learn how to be or master whatever it is we want.

We can learn.

Of the many, many, many beliefs that we have about reality, I consider this a key belief because it gives us a lot of maneuverability. When we’re discontent, unhappy, stuck, in disarray, crisis, emergency, but also preoccupied, confused, simply ready for change, then we can learn how to go where we want to go, at least someplace more beneficial. (We know this from driving! Looking where we want to go is great advice.)

We can learn.

I’ve never met a person who says he or she cannot learn; but I have probably met a good number of people who have forgotten they can—and I’ve occasionally caught myself over not readily recalling this of our facilities, too, when too busy indulging in some dilemma.

We can learn, and though not the only belief (boo), it surely is one of those beliefs we should most carefully harbor and foster and grow and cultivate. Particularly as learning is quite possibly what we’re here for.

About Me

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a frontend engineering leader and tech author/publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead for companies like Google and as an engineering manager for companies like Miro, I’m a contributor to several web standards, and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.

I love trying things, not only in web development (and engineering management), but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (Please be critical, interpret charitably, and give feedback.)