… lies in knowing what to learn.
I have a few phrases floating around from books and articles I’ve read.
“Most things are not worth learning.”
“It takes seven years to become a master, and you have nine chances to become a master of something over your lifetime.”
“1% better every day compounds over time.”
Above all these notions, however, I find this to be the most important.
Education is about identifying the gaps in your knowledge to reach dizzying heights.
Just today, I watched an interview of a rural tribe explaining that the women are relegated to agricultural and domestic duties because they have no other, better, avenues. Knowledge truly is power. I must add here that this does not make developed countries superior in lifestyle to developing ones. Happiness is a different gradient which I am not drawing a comparison to in this article.
But I see myself as no different, in terms of being “in the dark.” My combination of disparaging and undervaluing myself sets me back. It makes me believe that I am not capable of making modern, substantial contributions to the world, given my condition. But I hope, if I return to university this fall, that my stance on my own potential will change. My views on college have changed over the years. It’s now an opportunity to specialize and become invaluable. No more following the herd because it seems lucrative or easy or desirable in that major. Now is the time to be brave and be different. And to back up those “manic”, “delusional” aspirations with due diligence and daily commitment.