A Continuous Part of Life

“Education is not something to prepare you for life; it is a continuous part of life.”

—Henry Ford, American industrialist

Photo from Flickr by CODnewsroom

Photo from Flickr by CODnewsroom

When you completed your formal education – whether it was grade school, high school, college or an advanced degree – how prepared were you for the professional and personal roles you have today?

Henry Ford knew as well as anyone that our education depends significantly on the continuous, iterative lessons we learn through life experiences. This form of education puts us to the test before we capture the lessons we need to live successful lives.

EXERCISE:

When and in what ways can you embrace the idea that lifelong learning, and being a continuous work in progress, is the best form of education to prepare you for your future?

“Everything you go through grows you.”

“Everything you go through grows you.”

—Robert Tew, Chairman at Newcastle Knights Limited

Photo from Flickr by John Llu

Photo from Flickr by John Llu

How much formal education have you received? Perhaps you finished high school or college, and maybe you went further to receive an advanced degree or certification.

You may be glad that your educational experiences are over because they have little relevancy today, as you navigate your professional and personal pursuits.

Today’s quote reminds us that we are always enrolled in our own 24/7 life classroom, where we have considerable influence and autonomy to choose and customize our own advanced degree in life if – and it is an important if – we pay attention to all the growth opportunities around us.

EXERCISE:

As you enter your day, how do you intend to grow? As you reflect on your day, how did you grow through the experiences of the day?