Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgements and prejudices. Beginner’s mind is just present to explore and observe and see “things as-it-is.” I think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement. “I wonder what this is? I wonder what that is? I wonder what this means?” Without approaching things with a fixed point of view or a prior judgement, just asking “what is it?” (Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman)
I like to consider this concept when at the very early stages of product conception and marketing brainstorming. When you’re teaching or communicating new ideas to someone, it’s easy to let your own assumptions and knowledge get in the way.
Instead, look at it from a clean slate, like a beginner (which is really hard to do). What information does my prospect need to know to make this purchase? What knowledge will I need to give my customer to help her maximize her success with my product?
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