How Investing In Loss Can Move You Forward

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus - Philippians 2:5

Not only in our relationships, but also in our learning.

I've been reading Josh Waitzkin's book "The Art of Learning" and came across the phrase investment in loss.

Josh talks about sparing in a sport called Push Hands with a guy named Evan. Evan was much stronger and better than Josh and for months Josh had to invest in loss day after day after day. He had to loose over and over again. Until one day - he started to see patterns. He felt a little stronger. The game felt a little slower.

You can see this happen sometimes with High School basketball stars when they get to an elite college level. They often have a period of struggle when they first arrive at the new level.

At that point you can choose to do at least two things.

1. You can choose to give up and go home. Once the tables turned and Josh's abilities caught up with Evan, Evan stopped sparing with Josh. He only competed with Josh as long as he was better than Josh.

Sometimes this manifests with people who refuse to adjust their game. So they are playing point guard for an elite college basketball team, but they play like they are still in High School. Those players end up on the bench. No matter how high their talent ceiling unless they invest in loss, they don't thrive.

There isn't much growth in that.

2. The second option is you can learn. Loss is one of the best teachers available. But you have to be open to it. You have to be willing to be vulnerable. Ask questions. Show curiosity. Sacrifice your pride. Let go of ego.

It is what some people refer to as taking on the beginner's mind. And the people who struggle the most with this are the people who are not beginners.

As I was thinking about these things - I started thinking about the Bible passage mentioned above. The hymn that follows vs 5 is known as a kenosis hymn. Kenosis is self-emptying. 

An important aspect of self-emptying is investing in loss. And Paul's hymn suggests that it is in investing in loss that Jesus was exalted.

I think that's often true for us. It's a frame of mind that's invaluable. We can learn so much in loosing, but only if we approach it as opportunity rather than failure.

Don't be afraid of sparing with someone bigger and stronger than you.
Don't be afraid of tackling a problem that seems above your pay grade.
Don't be afraid of trying something new and not being good at it.

This is how we learn and grow. And - it is the way of Jesus.