Who are your real teachers and what lessons did they teach you? You will need to read to the end to find who mine are.
My philosophy is this: “Education is great, but don’t let it hold you back.” (Sure, you can quote me on that)
That statement appears to be more of truism today than ever before, as 25% of post-secondary grads aren’t employed in their vocation – and it’s getting worse.
Follow along here and tell me if this makes sense…
You begin school at the age of 4 in Junior Kindergarten, then Kindergarten, grades 1 through 12 and then 5 more years to get a degree. That’s nineteen years! Meanwhile, the average graduate leaves school in debt which statistically takes an average of 10 years to repay. And you don’t even have a job yet!
Here’s the kicker that’s got me scratching my head…
The “educated” CEOs of the major publicly traded corporations are constantly trying to please their shareholders, and they are people who probably aren’t buying the company’s goods. Then they fire or layoff the people who are and put more pressure on government, thus taking money out the hands of the people who are keeping the company in business. I could go on about this, but you already know all about it. In fact, you’re probably living it.
Imagine… in grade 10 my “educated” teachers voted me least likely to succeed. The guy who got that same worthy distinction the next year is currently building a $300,000,000 condo development and has been a huge success the past 25 years.
I’m not saying school is a bad thing, but if you want to learn something you will, and if you want to be successful you will work at it. It begins with your real teachers….
My Mom and Dad were my real teachers because they taught me my most important lessons: be your word, do the right thing, never give up, be committed, don’t be afraid and put your heart into it. Those were my building blocks and they set the foundation that I walk on today.
Identify your real teachers and learn from them. And if you don’t have any yet, begin by hanging around people who will teach you the things YOU want to learn. They are out there and easy to find if you’re looking in the right direction. Here’s a hint: if you are trying to find them and haven’t yet, look in another direction.
Thanks Mom, thanks Dad. You’re the best. Love you.
Your son,
David
