“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid”

This quote by Epictetus essentially says that often times the way to learn is to do or ask things in a way that might make other people think of you as stupid. If you never put yourself out there and risk asking what may be seen as a dumb question, it will be difficult for others to know what you don’t know, and teach you accordingly.

Think of when you are in class. Often times, the teacher will give instructions, for homework, for studying for a test, and then ask if anyone has any questions. Most people at some point will have had a time where they didn’t quite understand what the teacher meant, but do not raise their hand, for fear of being seen as asking a dumb question.

So often, our pride and need to present in a certain way to other people prevents us from admitting that we do not understand something, and need help with it. We want to be seen as smart, successful and competent. But if people think of you as that, they won’t see a need to offer you help that can help you improve yourself.

This goes along the lines of the idea that only through mistakes, failure, and not understanding, can we be forced into situations of self improvement. And ultimately, improving after failure usually benefits us more in the long run than not failing at all.

We all have different ways of understanding and processing information. What might seem straightforward to one person is difficult for another. And the reverse could be true on another topic.

Sure, sometimes we might ask questions that make us look a little slow, but even then, it is important to vocalize what we don’t know, so that we can get the help we need. This is easier said than done, because almost all of us have a level of pride and don’t want to appear foolish or stupid.

But if we can get past that, ask the right questions, and admit when we need help, in he long run we will improve tremendously.