Colonial Warrior
Well-Known Member
In most of the colleges and universities in the US, September is the start of a semester. A start full of fascination, hope, and dreams for those in their freshman year. But for them is also a start full of confusion, despair, and frustration.
Computer scientist, Peter J. Denning offers a way to deal with those negative feelings.
It is also very useful for those who want to start something else in their lives. Even to start here on the forums.
The Beginner's Creed
by Peter J. Denning
I am a beginner.
I am entering a new game about which I know nothing.
I do not yet know how to move in this game.
I see many other people playing in this game now.
This game has gone on for many years prior to my arrival.
I am a new recruit arriving here for the first time.
I see value to me in learning to navigate in this domain.
There is much for me to learn:
The basic terminology
The basic rules
The basic moves of action
The basic strategies
While I am learning this things I may feel various negative reactions:
Overwhelmed at how much there is to learn
Insecure that I not know what to do
Inadequate that I lack the capacity to do this
Frustrated and discouraged that my progress is so slow
Angry that I have been given insufficient guidance
Anxious that I will never perform up to expectations on which my career depends
Embarrassed that everyone can see my mistakes
But these moods are part of being a beginner. It does not serve my goal and ambition to dwell in them, Instead,
If I make a mistake, I will ask what lesson does this teach.
If I make a discovery, I will celebrate my Aha! moment.
If I feel alone, I will remember that I have many friends ready to help.
If I am stuck, I will ask for help from my teachers.
Over time, I will make fewer mistakes.
I will gain confidence in my abilities.
I will need less guidance from my teachers and friends.
I will gain familiarity with the game.
I will be able to have intelligent conversations with others in the game.
I will not cause breakdowns for promises that I lack the competence to keep.
I have an ambition to become competent, perhaps even proficient or expert in this game. But for now,
I am a beginner.
For the complete article, here is the link: http://denninginstitute.com/pjd/PUBS/CACMcols/cacmJul17.pdf
Computer scientist, Peter J. Denning offers a way to deal with those negative feelings.
It is also very useful for those who want to start something else in their lives. Even to start here on the forums.
The Beginner's Creed
by Peter J. Denning
I am a beginner.
I am entering a new game about which I know nothing.
I do not yet know how to move in this game.
I see many other people playing in this game now.
This game has gone on for many years prior to my arrival.
I am a new recruit arriving here for the first time.
I see value to me in learning to navigate in this domain.
There is much for me to learn:
The basic terminology
The basic rules
The basic moves of action
The basic strategies
While I am learning this things I may feel various negative reactions:
Overwhelmed at how much there is to learn
Insecure that I not know what to do
Inadequate that I lack the capacity to do this
Frustrated and discouraged that my progress is so slow
Angry that I have been given insufficient guidance
Anxious that I will never perform up to expectations on which my career depends
Embarrassed that everyone can see my mistakes
But these moods are part of being a beginner. It does not serve my goal and ambition to dwell in them, Instead,
If I make a mistake, I will ask what lesson does this teach.
If I make a discovery, I will celebrate my Aha! moment.
If I feel alone, I will remember that I have many friends ready to help.
If I am stuck, I will ask for help from my teachers.
Over time, I will make fewer mistakes.
I will gain confidence in my abilities.
I will need less guidance from my teachers and friends.
I will gain familiarity with the game.
I will be able to have intelligent conversations with others in the game.
I will not cause breakdowns for promises that I lack the competence to keep.
I have an ambition to become competent, perhaps even proficient or expert in this game. But for now,
I am a beginner.
For the complete article, here is the link: http://denninginstitute.com/pjd/PUBS/CACMcols/cacmJul17.pdf
