11th July 2025
In this Guru Purnima week, let’s talk about the concept of learning.
To grow, it is better to adopt a beginner’s mind.
In martial arts, new students wear a white belt.
It symbolizes that the wearer is an empty vessel ready to be filled.
Georges St Pierre, one of the greatest mixed-martial-artists of all time, credits thinking like an eternal beginner for his success.
Having a white belt’s mentality means that you treat every day as if it’s day one of your learning journey. It means thinking everyone you meet – from the street sweeper to the wisest business leader, has something new & interesting to teach you. It’s a humbling reminder that learning is a journey, not a destination
This transforms even the most mundane interaction into a learning opportunity.
Everybody wants to be seen as a wise man, but paradoxically, it is only in the deepest valleys that you find sweet fruit & fertile soil.
The act of growing is the delicate balance of opposites.
To elevate yourself, you must first humble yourself. To go forwards you must first go backward.
To become an expert, you must adopt a beginner’s mind &
see the world through the bright eyes of an eternal student.
A major part of being a white belt includes the fact that everybody has knowledge and experience to offer.
However, along the line, we tend to lose that mentality.
As we get better at something, it can be easier to allow one’s pride to keep us from seeking other people’s advice.
The important thing to note about the white-belt mentality is that the mentality is not conditional to your level of experience.
The mentality should remain the same despite your degree of knowledge.
The fact is, if you aren’t learning new things, you’re going to remain stagnant.
If you are only seeking knowledge from a select group of people, then you are severely limiting the amount of knowledge that you can gain.
Approach your craft with the mentality of someone with a white-belt.
Everybody has something they can teach you!
At its heart, White Belt Mentality is about humility, curiosity, and courage. Whether starting a new project, entering a new market, or simply questioning your daily habits, this mindset can transform how you think, lead, and succeed.
What’s one area in your business—or life—where you could embrace this mindset?
Together, let’s keep learning, Let’s stay curious and let’s never stop growing.
What will your next white belt moment look like?
Adopt the ‘White Belt Mentality’ and stay blessed forever.