Aha! Moment Monday
Have you sent a child off to university? What was your expectation of their experience?
And would you agree that there is a difference between gathering information and learning?
Many people in my circle have kids attending university. My friends are often frustrated because in the 11th grade, here, when the student is supposed to make major life choices by applying to schools and programs, they do so with little confidence. They take a stab at something with little or no idea what’s in store, which, by the way, is completely understandable because they’ve never been there before! It’s frustrating for parents because they think their kids should be clearer about where they’re going but they’re not.
Here’s the thing. It’s okay.
What happens in the classroom is that they’re simply “gathering knowledge” anyway … and as the student begins to gather knowledge it either excites them or drains them and they start to understand if what they’re studying feels right. Then, for whatever reason, they carry on to finish what they started, leave, or shift their focus. The real learning in between classes; the challenges and let-downs, the late nights preparing reports, balancing laundry, meals, social functions, sports and part-time employment, and mostly pushing limits and boundaries to grow as a person in this experience called “university life”.
The difference between school and life: in school you’re taught a lesson then given a test. In life you’re given a test which teaches you a lesson.
Aha! ~ What you learn becomes your wealth.
To take advantage of the many, many, many, many, many lessons life has to offer, you have to be willing to take a risk – to take a chance on yourself – and dare to be just a little bit more. It’s those lessons that contribute to your value.
Gathering knowledge is one element of advancement but it’s when you willingly apply that knowledge – the motivational quote you read, the seminar you took, the conversation you struck up, the new business invitation you attended, the job or relationship you gave up for another – that the real lessons kick in. They’re often disguised as work, hardship, failure, set-backs and disturbances but make no mistake about it, all of those experiences contain lessons that are crucial to take you where you exactly want to go.
When you hop into that little red sports car of life, top down, sun beaming, and facing forward, glance in the rear-view mirror every once in a while to remember where you’ve been, collect the lessons from the detours and roadblocks, adjust your course, and keep going.
Make 2020 one heck of an exciting year!!
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