Most people agree that one of the most important things required to get ahead in life, to be promoted or to change the way things are being done or perceived is Education.
Without education we are unable to learn to experience, to grow but even more importantly to Fail!
Being uneducated creates a state of ‘not knowing’ and having an ignorance or bliss to see or decide on new and challenging things. Not everyone can access education which creates that vicious circle or repetitiveness.
Here are a couple of definitions of Education. Most people relate education to a process of learning and identify this with schooling. But, if we look at education in its simplest form, we are missing the point altogether! It is a process and all processes involve more than just one thing.
Education, as we understand it here, is a process of inviting truth and possibility, of encouraging and giving time to discovery. It is, as John Dewey (1916) put it, a social process – ‘a process of living and not a preparation for future living’. In this view educators Look to act with people rather on them. Their task is to educe (related to the Greek notion of educere), to bring out or develop potential.
Education should be deliberate and hopeful. It is learning to be Informed, respectful and wise. It is a process of inviting truth and possibility and should be grounded in a desire that at all may flourish and share in life. It is a cooperative and inclusive activity that looks to help people to live their lives as well as they can.
So what does education mean to me? As trainers, our journey of education should be to embrace all of the above. We are in a position of knowledge and empowerment and part of our responsibility is to be the best we can be, find out as much as we can and give that gift and knowledge to those we serve.
We cannot do this if we just look at exercise and programming! We need to seek out the truth, be inquisitive, be part of our client’s own journey and share their path. Education is life! it embodies the mind, body and spirit and helps us to promote a greater sense of life to better live.
I just had the best 3 days of education in my life. I was part of an educational journey where we shared experiences, we learned from the Scientific Gurus, we questioned where we were at, how to move forward, where we have failed and what we currently do successfully. It was the start of a journey that really emphasised to help others, we need to help ourselves first. Although this sounds selfish, it is not. To be open to change, to live and experience, we need to live at our best levels so we can be part of the journey of others.
Education is a never ending journey that changes everyday for everyone. Are you open to change and do you educate yourself as well as others?
