A few weeks ago I wrote about a school project entitled “Lessons Life Teaches” that I helped my neighbor’s son, Jesse, with. After we were done discussing the project, Jesse and I chatted for an hour about growing up and his imminent transition out of high school and into adulthood. He asked me one question after the next about college, career options, entrepreneurship, starting and running a popular blog, etc. He was thirsting for knowledge, and I was truly inspired by his enthusiasm to learn about all the possibilities that await him in the next phase of his life.
It was his final question that really made me think though. He asked, “What am I not learning in the classroom?” I answered the question as best I could, and tried to give some decent advice with the time I had, but for some reason this question stuck with me. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it I realize there are actually several important lessons that can’t be fully taught or learned in a classroom environment. Here are the first eight that came to mind when I sat down to write this morning:
1. Unimagined, real world life experiences.
The most prolific experience is not in achieving something, but in seeking it. It is the journey towards an endless horizon that matters – goals that move forward with you as you chase them. It’s all about the pursuit and what you learn along the way – the ‘moving.’
The most important reason for moving from one place to another is to see what’s in between. In between is where passions are realized, love is found, strength is [Read more…]