I must be getting old because I’m starting to understand this little world we live on. My “elder age” was confirmed at my swim practice on Tuesday when a woman of about 60 said, “Let’s go get’em Grandpa!” as we began a set led by three teenagers. Sorry Ma, you ain’t 26 any more if I don’t pass for it!
So what have I learned from my year’s on this planet? Well, if the title of this post isn’t a dead give away it’s that we all need to continue learning. Read books, download manuals, even look up a word in a dictionary (or Wikipedia). Once you stop, your going to be a tumbleweed. Just letting life pass you by.
My quest for a higher knowledge began at University. You pay $12K a year and you’re supposed to come out “educated”; knowing more than someone who just skipped the college route and went straight to the job site. What I’ve come to realize is having that piece of paper may get you in the door but if you don’t have a whole other list of things to offer, you’re going to be back out in the cold.
Naïve as I was when I graduated, I figured having the “willingness to learn” combined with a degree would get you anywhere. Man! I couldn’t be more wrong.
You see, what I’m learning is that most people don’t want to teach you anything. If they can’t show you in 5mins you’re SOL. This means that you have to pay for another service or wait until you find someone who’s willing to help you. Both in my opinion, suck.
Why is it that people just don’t care to help one another? Is it just this city? This province? Or is it people in general?
I’m not losing hope on the world. These past few months have been a really eye-opening experience for me. What I’m learning is that instead of just coasting along with that piece of paper, I always have to be reaching higher. And never be satisfied with where I am. To keep climbing the education ladder which, hopefully, in the end, produces a person with whom I’m satisfied.
And to keep this triathlon related … if you’re happy with where you are why bother paying for swim lessons? Why bother racing to know your 5K time? But if you are interested in your own improvement then you must take it upon yourself to seek out ways of making yourself better. Go to a training camp or try out for a team or get a coach. You don’t have to aspire to be the world champion. But maybe if you ran 3 times a week last year then this year you could try for 4, a good first step. Or having only done a sprint distance maybe you’d aim to do an Ironman. A bigger step, but it can happen!
I’m not losing faith in myself or other people. I guess I kinda got lazy. So maybe it is my fault. A good life lesson learned but now has to be acted upon.
Whatever you do, keep pursuing greatness. Hopefully with enough work, you’ll find it.
Happy (I gotta get home cause it’s Friday and I’ve worked wayyy too long) Trainin
Cliff
I’m thinkin’ someone had a bad day (week?) at the office. Hope your weekend makes up for it kiddo! xo
I didn’t mean for the post to come off as being really annoyed with my work situation. This week actually wasn’t too bad.
I have been thinking of how to improve my situation. I think getting a couple upgrades could really help that. Sometimes I forget that my work life needs to be upgraded. Or continued education.
It’s just that I may have to pay for these. There are not too many guys like the welder (Mark?) that teach for free.
Hey Cliff, have you ever noticed that all the best at whatever they do always say that they came up playing/learning/doing with people that were a little older, faster, more skilled or learned than they were.
They always hung with folks a level above themselves. Always testing their skills.
-T
I can believe it.
The only issue I’m seeing is that people don’t have the time to show their skills off any more. In the beginning I thought it was me just not showing enough enthusiasm. What I’ve come to realize is that some people would rather keep things to themselves, essentially making more work, instead of helping out.
Technology I believe is the killer for this. We want everything yesterday. Time is so vital. People get caught up in what they have to do tomorrow instead of what they can do right now.