Relentless IQ → #11 [2026] →Embrace the Cost of Entry
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Insight
I love Mahjong. There, I said it. In fact, going forward I would like to be referred to as Katie, The Mahj Motivator.
Before you stop reading- this is going somewhere. I’m not trying to convince you to learn Mahjong (unless you’re into that, in which case let me know).
It has some of my favorite qualities of any activity: it’s challenging, it’s social, it connects people, there’s fun swag involved, the thrill of victory… and perhaps most importantly- there are snacks.
But the part I want to focus on is that it’s challenging.
In fact, when you first start it’s so confusing (at least it was for me) that I can completely understand why people decide it’s not for them.
Because we don’t like being confused. Overwhelmed. We definitely don’t like that feeling when everyone else seems to know what’s going on and you’re sitting there wondering if a completely different language is being spoken.
But when you start anything worthwhile, there’s usually a period like that.
You feel lost… slow… like you’re the only one who doesn’t get it yet.
And that’s totally normal- they key is being willing to stay in that phase long enough to get through it.
Because if you commit to learning, to showing up, and to being ok not knowing what’s going on for a little while- eventually things start to click.
Nobody wants to look stupid. But sometimes you have to go through that uncomfortable stage of learning in order to get to the other side and reap the benefits.
Learning mahjong. A new language. A new athletic skill. Something at work. Pretty much anything worthwhile.
My rule for mahjong newbies- give it AT LEAST three times. Show up. Try. Be open-minded. And do it again.
Most of the time, by the third time, things start to make a little more sense. You start to see what’s going on. Learn the lingo. You begin to understand what you need to do to improve.
And when you keep showing up, that’s when you find the joy that comes from learning something new.
Question
What’s something you’ve been avoiding because you don’t want to feel like a beginner?
Quote(s)
“Anything worth doing is worth doing badly at first.”
-G.K. Chesterton
"Embarrassment is the cost of entry. If you're not willing to look like a beginner, you'll never become a master."
- Ed Latimore
Workout
3 Supersets
Superset A
3 Sets
12 DB Bench Press
15 DB Bent Over Rows
Superset B
3 Sets
12 DB Romanian Deadlifts
12 Reverse Lunges (each leg)
Superset C
3 Sets
12 DB Shoulder Press
15 DB Bicep Curls
Coach’s Notes:
A little pump/bodybuilding style workout this week. ENJOY IT.
Move directly from the first movement to second in each superset. Rest about :60- :90 between sets and 3-4 minutes between supersets.
Choose DBs that challenge you but still allow you to move with control. The goal is good, quality reps and pump- not racing through the workout.
Focus on quality: control, strong positions, full range of motion
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