The Beauty Of Being An Amateur

Insight 86 | A few months ago, I tried “pilates” for the first time. I did it because I thought it was a joke, just a fancy form of yoga… I was wrong. Very wrong. 

All my laughing quickly turned against me as I found myself profusely sweating after only the warm-up. The instructor was smiling and singing through it all, and I was over here barely able to breathe. I loved it.

I’ve also picked up biking, another activity I thought was fun and games until I tried it myself and found I could barely stand after the 45-minute session. I genuinely look forward to each week's session; nothing can take that time away. Nor should it.

Why am I telling you this? Because in a society where absolutely everything has become hyper-optimized for efficiency, we have forgotten the joy and spontaneity of being a true amateur.

Sometimes, doing something for the love of it is enough, and we could all use that reminder.

Did you know that the word amateur comes from the French language and is derived from the Latin word ‘amator’, meaning ‘lover’? 

As explained by Merriam-Webster, the word originally referred to someone with a fondness, liking, or strong taste for a particular subject or pursuit. And yet, sadly, our modern English language has twisted this beautiful word into misinterpretation. It is now used most often in a derogatory sense to refer to someone who is inept, poorly qualified, or even mediocre!

The word, and our use of it, has shifted from an innocent explorer of an activity to a label that slots you into a performance hierarchy and competition against everyone. Look how far this word has fallen from the good graces of its roots.

With this shift in understanding, it becomes easier to see why so many people have stopped pursuing things simply for the love of the act or the joy found in discovering new skills. When being “bad” at something means you are now somehow subpar, who would ever willingly choose to put themselves in this position?

Here lies the problem. Society has convinced us that things are only worth our time if they contribute to our “hustle” or “career goals”. When this is the case, and that is how we choose to determine an activity's value, then so much of what we do becomes worthless.

Suddenly, reading a novel or some poetry feels like a waste of time. You should be reading a self-help book instead. That would actually improve your life and equip you with the knowledge you need. Getting healthy? Yeah, that's good too, but you aim for a six-pack and be able to do at least 10 pull-ups. Play an instrument? Sure, but you'd best be the next Beethoven. Write? Please do! But know that you are expected to produce a New York Times Bestseller within the year. On and on this goes until you realize you're not doing it because you want to anymore, but because you feel like you have to.

While many good things have come from this type of thinking, such as greater emphasis on organization, time management, and productivity, it has led to a decrease in the art of doing what you love for its own joy, rather than as a social signal. It has led us to believe that something is only worth our dedication if it yields a tangible result.  But who said we had to be “good” at everything? 

Whatever happened to being a specialist in one or two things? A professional within that niche. A legend in that field and then a dabbler in others. A top performer in your industry and, simultaneously, an enthusiast of the arts unrelated to your profession or career. An ace in one trade, and a jack in whatever few hobbies you choose!

As a matter of fact, most of history's treasured individuals lived this way and had hobbies or interests beyond what we tend to remember them for. And, as it turns out, it was often the balance found in these smaller joys that led back to their success in what many would consider their primary field.

• Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple and a technological revolutionary, had a fondness for walking and a liking for calligraphy.

• Leonardo da Vinci not only painted, but also played sports and engineered machines.

• Cleopatra, empress of Egypt, was also a well-trained scholar and linguist.

• Isaac Newton, the father of classical physics, actually wrote more on alchemy and theology than on his discoveries in gravity, calculus, and the laws of motion. 

• Coco Chanel, a revolutionary in women's fashion, was an equestrian and enjoyed sports activities like golf and fishing. 

• Albert Einstein, the father of modern physics, played the violin and enjoyed sailing.

• Winston Churchill, Britain’s leader in WWII, was a dedicated painter as well as a writer.

• Napoleon Bonaparte, the great General and former Emperor of the French, loved to read.

• Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States of America, was a boxer.

• Amelia Earhart, a pioneer in aviation, made great strides as a women's fashion designer.

• Maya Angelou, modern poet and legendary writer, was also a singer, dancer, and journalist.

The list could go on and on, but the pattern would remain the same. The world's best minds understand that greatness takes balance, and that balance starts with becoming a multifaceted individual. The writer who paints. The businessman who fishes. The painter who sings. The teacher who likes to dance. A scientist who reads poetry. On and on … 

The point is, we shouldn’t just feel free to try new things, set aside time for an activity we aren't great at, and even dedicate years of our lives to becoming better at something unrelated to our professional goals, but we should all be encouraged to do so! Ironically, we are likely to find that these other hobbies slip back into our primary focus and subtly influence how we perform them. It is well documented that Steve Jobs' eye for Calligraphy steered Apple's design ideology. It was Winston Churchill's painting sessions that provided him with the bursts of tranquility he needed to orient his mind and lead his nation. Coco Chanel wanted to feel free to move in her outdoor activities, so she completely changed women's fashion.

Time and time again, we see that being a lover of an activity, a true amateur of an art, leads to greater freedom in how we enjoy our lives (doing something for its own joy rather than for its requirements) and often bears fruit in our life's greater pursuit.

This breathing room will certainly differ from person to person, but it is essential to connecting more deeply with our callings. It allows us to find great peace in our hearts and better listen for the small whisper of the Lord's voice, which we so often miss because of our hyperfixation on getting more done.

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I believe we could all use this reminder in a culture that pushes us to be “productive” 25 hours a day, 8 days a week. What the world doesn't understand is that being productive looks different for different people. 

Ironically, it's often those who know how to disengage from their work and engage in their passion who get more done than those consumed by the stress of perfection. These individuals comprehend this cycle of creativity and art working hand in hand with the hustle and grind to flourish into a holistic being, not just alive but truly living life. (There is, after all, a difference.)

This week, I dare us to be different by allowing room for ourselves to be a work in progress. Not for competitions or points, but for the joy that comes from the growth found in doing something you love. We don’t always need to be the best at everything, just as long as we give our best to whatever it is we choose to do. 

Remember, *a diamond is valuable because of its many facets. It's what allows the light to shine and glimmer off of it. And, come to think of it, aren't we all diamonds in the rough? 

Cheers to the amateurs. 🥂

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

*While there is no concrete source for the origin of this idea, it was first brought to my attention by my lovely mother in Carla A. Harris’s book “Lead to Win.”

P.S. Thank you, Coach Kylie, for recommending I give “beat biking” a try. I'm in it for the long haul, now, and while I may not be the best, I sure know I'll always give it my best. 

Sources:

Find Enjoyment In What You Do: There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. - Ecclesiastes 2:24

The Comparison Trap: Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. - 2 Corinthians 10:12

You Don’t Have TO Be The Best, Only Give Your Best: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Merriam-Webster Definition of Amateur: Link