Can One be Comfortably Incompetent?

My brain has been consistently fried lately, but in a good way (that's possible, right?). Over the last couple months I have started 3 new big, time and mind consuming things. I went from being, what I believe, was a very proficient person and for a decent amount of time to incompetent most of the time.

Prior to June I was an emergency medical technician (EMT) for nearly 5 years. I have been a law enforcement officer in some capacity, full or part-time for over 4 years and sporadically trained hands-on skill when the opportunities presented themselves. 

Since getting into my career choices I have always been a huge advocate for training, whether it be on your dime or your departments and have walked the walk, meaning I don't just tell people to train and then not do it. I've spent countless dollars to train with some of the best instructors that I wouldn't change if given the opportunity.

In June I passed my national paramedic exam. It was the single hardest thing I have ever accomplished. I am not naturally smart nor do I easily grasp the medical world, but I love it none-the-less. I passed my test nearly 2 years after taking my class ended, riding the deadline to pass.

In July and August I began attending Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), slowly but surely. I wrestled for 6 years in school, but man this is different. Then in the last couple weeks recently started boxing and soon to come kickboxing and overall mix martial arts (MMA).

I have no history with any of these things. I of course know the basics of EMS, but the paramedic aspect is a whole new concept at which I have a ton to learn. As far as BJJ and boxing are going, you don't realize how terrible you are at something until you start. With that being said, you will never get better at something until you start.

This brings me to my thoughts of being comfortably incompetent. I am the type of person that likes to learn something, learn it well and become as proficient at it as I can as fast as I can. These 3 things are not like that in anyway, taking my mind to a different place than I think I have ever experienced. My friend, Mike, described BJJ in a great way, "It's a lifetime thing." I have very little experience at it, but I believe he is correct and that saying applies to all of these new journey's I have begun.

I am accepting that I will not be remotely competent at most of these things for months and more likely years to come, but that I am motivated with internal rage to learn as much as I can about them. Being a paramedic is my job, my career, but it is also a huge part of my life. I truly love EMS (you can catch me saying different on some days) and have a few medics I am striving to develop a skill and knowledge level remotely close to some day.

BJJ was something I have been wanting to start for a couple years and didn't due to a combination of distance, laziness and money. However, as my career choices put me in close contact with different types of people, it is a critical skill to have. I did not want a large gap in training with BJJ, so began boxing to take up the hole of striking.

I am comfortable with where I am at right now with my training and knowledge base. I know that I am lacking, but am constantly striving to be better.

-B