I spent a little time in December and January watching the The Great British Bake Off. I was struck by something. The contestants are regular people who come in with a vague sense of awareness or confidence about desserts. They might feel confident and they have done some things before. They know somewhat about desserts or baking. A few explain they have made the same cakes for 15 years, and they are really proud of them:

There is a “showstopper” category. There is also a “technical challenge” category where follow a very limited set of directions and hopefully create something good. Most of them don´t know the final product of the new technical challenge thing. They dont know the process. They don´t know the outcome. It is more about trying things, and probably failing. From the few first episodes I watched of this category, it was so amusing. So relatable, and so accurate. Their facial expressions, their puzzled process, their confusion. Their trying.

“Technical challenge mind” might also be called “beginners mind”. It is probably my favorite. I relate the most. It is the work of people who let the 10% effort win out over the 90% having no idea.