You Can’t Learn If You Think You Know
Hubris is the root of all failures.
When you think you know it all, the world will show you that you do not. It will blindside you, swipe you off your feet, and send you tumbling back to the shore like a surfer struck by a rogue wave. All your hard work will be for naught, as you will end up right back at the starting line with a few extra bruises. It doesn't matter how far you’ve gone, your hubris will always be your biggest risk.
In a sense, you are your greatest risk.
So how can we avoid this?
The first step is to come to grips with the fact that as you grow and become more successful you will feel more confident, more intelligent, and better than others, understand that this is mostly an illusion. You may have some material success to show for, but it is important to never let it go to your head. Your ego will always be whispering in your ear like a devil on your shoulder telling you that you are smarter than you are and pushing you to make poor decisions that will tear down everything you have worked so hard to achieve.
The second step is to adapt a student’s mindset. Become the type of person who is always looking to learn from others whether you are talking to someone just starting or reading a book written thousands of years ago, there is an infinite amount of knowledge to learn in this world, never for a second believe that you have it figured out.
The third step is to surround yourself with people who can hold you accountable. Be around smart people who will call you on your BS and be willing to strike you down when you need it.
This a game of continuous improvement, the second you believe that you got it all figured out, you will quickly realize that you are incredibly wrong, typically when it is too late.
Like Icarus’ hubris convincing him that the sun wouldn't melt the glue that held his wings together, you must always be weary of what you let yourself believe about yourself.