What’s being shortsighted costing you?

I wonder if the way we train students to learn is shortsighted?

Does it become an unhelpful, ingrained way of living?

In school, we’re rewarded for upholding expectations by following the syllabus and striving for a great final grade.

• But how is outlining everything in advance leaving room for organic growth, curiosity, and innovation?

I wonder if this kind of schooling later contributes to so many people’s reluctance to go off course?

Explore?

Take risks?

Become someone unimaginable?

Does it put us in a straight jacket?

I’m pretty sure we miss out on SO much because of these kinds of predetermined outcomes.

There are different ways to teach and learn.

Ways that encourage curiosity, exploration, and walking blindfolded into the wilderness, aspiring to discover what’s there and be changed because of it.

• When we prepackage value based on already discovered outcomes we miss a freedom that leads to amazing insights and experiences.

There was once a wonderful humanitarian named Josephine Duvenck. One hundred years ago she helped found Peninsula School in Menlo Park, CA.

Still today, this tiny school continues to provide students with an environment void of authoritarian controls, rewards, or punishments.

Instead, it leverages children’s innate curiosity.

Its success is based on simple, straightforward ideals…

The belief that children learn through doing.

That too much emphasis is placed on information acquisition.

And not enough on application of what one knows.

• Is your life still geared around “getting the grade?”

Or is there something calling you that’s “off course?”

If so, how will you summon the courage to connect with the life that’s calling you?

—Julie