Student for Life
Mindset lessons from the classroom.
Continuous Learning Requirements
How many of us adults complete our determined level of education and stop attempting to learn?
Why put forth effort after all the years of obtaining the particular degree or credentials?
We’ve done our time and have earned the right to focus on other matters, right?
As a licensed and board certified audiologist, I’m required to complete a given amount of hours in various aspects of my scope of practice annually in order to maintain my credentials and ability to practice.
As a military officer, particularly one working in acquisition, I’m required to complete additional hours of education in this domain to stay abreast of changing dynamics in our organization and current best practices.
It seems like I’m always enrolled in a handful of courses with varying methods of instruction and timelines for completion.
I’ve recently been showing up and putting forth more intention and effort into a class I’ve been enrolled in for some time.
It’s amazing how much return on investment you can get from a little time and attention to a subject that matters to you.
Having always done well enough in school, it’s ironic that changing my approach to this class has revealed the most opportunity compared to any of my previous teachings.
Initially, it was primarily an instructor-led program with a wide variety of subjects based on your environment and the particular skillsets of the teachers. It progressively became a self-directed course with opportunities to explore specific disciplines based on your interest, aptitude, and experience.
Continuing to get by with what appeared to be above average performance, I wasn’t absorbing any of the material. I was simply physically present and going through the motions in the ways I felt I was supposed to without much focus on applying the lessons outside of the specific domains.
Lately, I decided to take a little ownership and seek out my own knowledge rather than wait for the next lesson to appear through the various modes of instruction this class offers. With so many other students in this class, I’ve also found discussing pros and cons of approaches to its ever-changing platforms to be quite helpful. Any classmate I talk to has something to offer if willing to acknowledge their perspective and lessons learned since enrolling. Even the ones close to failing out still have insights that can be used advantageously while they themselves have opportunities to turn things around if they shift their approach. Many, ironically, forget they’re still in this particular class as they’ve let other aspects of their unique circumstance get in the way. If I’ve learned anything from my most recent courses, passive participation never leads to desirable outcomes.
For anyone interested, this class is accessible to all. Pull up your favorite search engine and simply enter “life.”
Life as a Classroom
The only constant in life is change.
Change is challenging, but it’s much harder when resisted.
The best way to thrive in our uncertain and ever-changing world is to remain a student.
Our past, present, and future all have opportunities for the curious mind.
Using the world and your life as a classroom can open so many doors that would have otherwise looked like walls. People, events, and even our thoughts offer seeds of knowledge if willing to keep an open mind.
Without question, the hardest times in my life, regardless of circumstance, have come when I stopped being curious, closed my mind, and held on to my assumptions.
There are very few things in this life I’m sure of.
One thing I am certain of is that there is no one particular Way. There are concepts but not hard and fast rules, techniques, or strategies. Endless resources are available to us to gain knowledge, however, all the knowledge in the world won’t change your life. Consistent application of knowledge to determine its value in relation to your values on the other hand is the best way to optimize our respective classroom.
Wisdom is unique to each of us. It can only be derived from action. It can only be updated with curiosity and willingness to learn.
Remain a student for life.
I recently started a podcast. The majority of my episodes are recorded through the live feature on this platform, however, guest appearances on others and unique circumstances sometime take me elsewhere.
If interested in listening/supporting, you can find it in any of these locations:
"Without question, the hardest times in my life, regardless of circumstance, have come when I stopped being curious, closed my mind, and held on to my assumptions."
Well you certainly nailed it with this one, Kyle! Truth! 👏
Good stuff, Kyle. When I was graduating from undergrad so many years ago, I asked a professor of mine, that I admired, for a parting shot / piece of advice. Her response… “Stay curious. Never stop learning.” I’ve never forgotten that. Appreciate the read and message.