Riding with a coworker to a job site recently, we got off on a tangent about traits needed to survive in the world today. Part of the discussion related to where we worked, where a thick skin is quite relevant to getting by. But, in general, he suggested there are a number of skills that many people miss – whether that be in school or how they were raised or just plain picking up abilities as they go through life.
Once our parents are done with us and we leave school behind (at whatever level), we’re not done learning. That’s probably one of the biggest fallacies of life. Whether you want to or not, you continue experiencing new things, which means we all have the opportunity to grow.
Ongoing life lessons can be humorous, serious, logical or take intuitive leaps. We might absorb new information or pick up a trait fairly quickly or over a number of years. Whatever the lesson may be, somehow it ensures better survival of the species. Here are a few that probably make sense if we’re all not going to go crazy:
Sarcasm 101: In some ways, you could describe this course load as: “Don’t lose your sense of humor.” But it is way more. This class implies developing a razor wit, being able to diagnose and slice the issues of the day quickly and with sharp wording that makes others laugh and deflects some of the stupidity we face on a daily basis. To become truly expert, Sarcasm 101 requires not only study, but practice. Hands-on sessions with comedians and smart-asses would be required. Major Benefit: Graduates gain a thicker skin.
Changing Your Tires 201: The ability to change a tire is no longer a given in today’s world, as many people with just call on their smart phone for help if they get a flat. No matter the car, the basics remain. Get out the jack, find the correct spot to insert it, and crank it until the tire is off the pavement. Twist the bolts off with the wrench. Take the tire off, put the new one on. Tighten bolts. Lower car to ground. Okay, end of class. Now go find the owner’s book in your car so you can find out where all those tools have been hidden. Major Benefit: Not having to pay for a tow job.
Reading Directions 301: This class may sound self-evident. But, just about everybody at some point is guilty of winging it and failing, then going back to look at that little booklet and saying, “Hmmm, should have read this first.” If you know how to cook, install a router, or fix a lawnmower, by all means, go for it. If not, take this class. You will be reminded over and over: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! If you don’t get the message, it will be repeated at the start and finish of every class. Major Benefit: Improved reading skills, greater confidence in finishing tasks, and a new-found confidence that you can get things done that were previously presumed complicated (sometimes anyway).
How to Effectively Return Phone Calls (Advanced Class) 401: Since almost nobody in the world seems to know how to return phone calls any more, this difficult and intense course of study would teach the student how to pick up the smart phone and dial the number that came in, with explicit instructions on the exact ten digits to punch in. As a bonus, the class would remind you to do this in timely manner. Major Benefit: Resolving problems quickly rather than texting or emailing 27 times with no resolution.
There you have it. Time to study. Success is just down the road.
Once our parents are done with us and we leave school behind (at whatever level), we’re not done learning. That’s probably one of the biggest fallacies of life. Whether you want to or not, you continue experiencing new things, which means we all have the opportunity to grow.
Ongoing life lessons can be humorous, serious, logical or take intuitive leaps. We might absorb new information or pick up a trait fairly quickly or over a number of years. Whatever the lesson may be, somehow it ensures better survival of the species. Here are a few that probably make sense if we’re all not going to go crazy:
Sarcasm 101: In some ways, you could describe this course load as: “Don’t lose your sense of humor.” But it is way more. This class implies developing a razor wit, being able to diagnose and slice the issues of the day quickly and with sharp wording that makes others laugh and deflects some of the stupidity we face on a daily basis. To become truly expert, Sarcasm 101 requires not only study, but practice. Hands-on sessions with comedians and smart-asses would be required. Major Benefit: Graduates gain a thicker skin.
Changing Your Tires 201: The ability to change a tire is no longer a given in today’s world, as many people with just call on their smart phone for help if they get a flat. No matter the car, the basics remain. Get out the jack, find the correct spot to insert it, and crank it until the tire is off the pavement. Twist the bolts off with the wrench. Take the tire off, put the new one on. Tighten bolts. Lower car to ground. Okay, end of class. Now go find the owner’s book in your car so you can find out where all those tools have been hidden. Major Benefit: Not having to pay for a tow job.
Reading Directions 301: This class may sound self-evident. But, just about everybody at some point is guilty of winging it and failing, then going back to look at that little booklet and saying, “Hmmm, should have read this first.” If you know how to cook, install a router, or fix a lawnmower, by all means, go for it. If not, take this class. You will be reminded over and over: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! If you don’t get the message, it will be repeated at the start and finish of every class. Major Benefit: Improved reading skills, greater confidence in finishing tasks, and a new-found confidence that you can get things done that were previously presumed complicated (sometimes anyway).
How to Effectively Return Phone Calls (Advanced Class) 401: Since almost nobody in the world seems to know how to return phone calls any more, this difficult and intense course of study would teach the student how to pick up the smart phone and dial the number that came in, with explicit instructions on the exact ten digits to punch in. As a bonus, the class would remind you to do this in timely manner. Major Benefit: Resolving problems quickly rather than texting or emailing 27 times with no resolution.
There you have it. Time to study. Success is just down the road.
