Learning is a unique experience in life. I’ve taught and I’ve been taught. No I’m not a teacher but in my jobs I have done a gazillion hours of training. And by reactions and abilities gained  from it by others, I think its been successful. I have found sharing my knowledge very enjoyable and I learned a lot about people doing it.

I was also fortunate in my youth to have the General Manager of the company I worked for say to me, “Mike you need to share the knowledge and expertise you have with others and then learn to let go of that responsibility because you have trained them well to be able to move on to the next challenge for yourself and the new knowledge that comes along with that.”

I see that special passion to teach in two of my family members. My daughter and daughter in-law. I love listening to them and the things they come up with to engage the children and raise that bar. To make kids think on their own. To excite them about what they are being taught. To do it in a way that really holds their interest and makes it learned knowledge bit also makes them thirst for more. But I also hear them teaching a lot of people skills. Kids learn in school mainly how to interact with others and learn about friendships, respect, rules and communication among many other skills. I marvel at the profession of teaching.

But in regards to being taught. I’m a slow learner. I have to read things a few times to understand or execute them repeatedly to feel comfortable. And that is sometimes stressful in group situations. Sometimes I feel I’m better figuring things out on my own. I do find it more relaxing. But then again I have learned many great things from watching, listening and learning from many masters in the industry. But after I have something I usually have a very good memory of it and can recall easily.

But as age starts to creep into my portfolio, I find that remembering things is getting more difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very good at it and far better than average. (My better half’s opinion is not valid in this discussion)

To me it can keep you young if you exercise your mind. I hope to never stop learning. I need it as a crutch to keep positive at times lately. It’s easy to forget about challenging yourself when not at the top of your game and your mind is busy with other important task also. But its worth the effort to always return to it. For it does give me joy and I think the more you learn and share the more full you’re life is.