I was recently interviewed by the Femme Futurists Society and the opening question was about my life mantra which is shoshaku jushaku, a Japanese expression translatable as ‘one continuous mistake.’ I loved that the interviewer opened with this question because if I were the tattoo type, I would tattoo this phrase on my body. It’s a Zen philosophy - made real in the Ten Essentials of Gamestorming - that points to wholehearted effort without the pressure of perfection or getting something ‘right.’
For a Westernized mind, this can sound confusing and even negative, but it’s a powerful way to approach facilitation, life and the future - which can only truly promise uncertainty and change - and it leads to an inner confidence that doesn’t require much external reinforcement. Think of it like this: When a craftsperson makes a mistake, if she takes advantage of the mistake to make the work even better, this is precisely how she becomes both resilient and skilled. Shoshaku jushaku is productive discomfort - a state Gamestormers occupy, on purpose, time and again because it serves us well through a spate of surprises and challenges. It now abides at the heart of Gamestorming courses, inaugural experiences Dave and I are designing for 2024. I say more about all of this in the interview (here’s a short clip for busy people), so make some tea and have a listen. Then go make a purposeful mistake - one you can gamify and even celebrate. We’ll be your friend in floundering.
Platforms at your service:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
▶️ YouTube
To clumsiness,
Sun