I’m a big supporter of higher education. I have taken more courses than I can name in more subjects than I can count. In fact some of the most defining moments of my life occurred in the four walls of a classroom – some is the operative word in this sentence.
The truth is, most of the things I know were discovered through experimentation, which resulted in experience and expansion. Of course the lessons that provided the most growth and insight , involved discomfort of some kind. And in some instances, physical pain and mental anguish were the only way that I could “get it.” There’s a lot of stuff that they don’t teach in school.
The last time I checked a course schedule, the following curriculum did not exist:
* Common Sense 101
* The truth about Fucking-up
* Happiness Reinvented
* Sh*ft Happens
* Hard Knocks
* The courses mentioned above are offered exclusively by The School of Life.
The School of Life, which does not have assigned instructors (because everybody is a teacher), is mandatory. It does not offer make-up exams and there is no pass or fail option. The School of Life offers hands-on experience, obstacle courses, and test-your-faith studies. There is no course syllabus, learning curve, or hand holding – learning is 100% experiential, lessons will repeat as needed. **And the Hard Knocks course is not optional – every person (with a pulse) must enroll.
Learning is a never-ending process. Informal education is where we learn the most about ourselves and about life in general. Some lessons can only be learned through experience. Text books and lectures offer great reference material, but experience is, and always will be, the best teacher. The most valuable lessons of your life will happen outside of the classroom.
The most valuable lessons of your life will happen outside of the classroom.
(click to tweet)
I certainly don’t know everything, but one thing I know for sure is that there is something new to learn, every single day. Be open and stay hungry. Boredom is choice… and so is happiness. Seek and you’ll always find. Curiosity may kill cats… but it also expands horizons and fattens wallets!
These curious folks never finished college:
♠ Debbi Fields – founder of Mrs. Fields cookies
♠ Frank Lloyd Wright – Architect
♠ Ingvar Kamprad – founder of IKEA
♠ Walt Disney – creator of the world’s favorite mouse, Mickey
♠ Richard Branson – owner of the Virgin brand
And many more…
I am by no means discouraging formal education. If you’re interested in a class – enroll. Just know that life is a classroom in itself and there is much to learn.
Experiment. Experience. Expand.
What lessons have you learned at The School of Life?
This post is part of the “This is 40″ blog series.