Learn How to Think Instead of What to Think
This post is actually a slightly adjusted version of a comment to this thought-provoking commentary. I thought it was a compartmentalized thought enough that I wanted to post it here for my own record.
The prompt, from Ashley’s essay, is:
“We’re taught what to think, not how to think”.
Therein lies a problem. The education model being experienced today (K-12 & much of higher ed) has been built on top an old process designed to produce two things: workers, and more academics.
If we’re willing to put aside the “more academics” part and focus on the “workers” part of the product of education, we need to consider what’s changed. Through at least one lens, changes exist in workplace and the expectations it has.
Rather than go down the road of “I paid six figures for a college education and now I can’t get a job, EFF YOU America” that many young professionals are doing right now, there’s a huge, huge, HUGE missed opportunity to improve the educational system using mentorship, and refocusing on learning skills instead of just the learning of skills.
When the industries with the highest demand were focused primarily on manufacturing, someone who came out of school not only had basic skills, but had the proficiency to learn some more basic skills in order to accomplish a task. Manufacturing and the industrial workplace provided a very specific, guided ladder to continue learning skills, leading to promotions, opportunities, better pay, hours, so on and so forth.
Times be-a changing.
Now, with another industrial shift fully swinging away from manufacturing (sorry Detroit) and towards knowledge work, the ability to just learn new tasks isn’t enough.
You’re expected to synthesize new, unmarked tasks.
You’re expected to create, not just produce.
If you can’t create, you’re going to have to try a LOT harder to get a great job. And that thesis ignores the increased likelihood that you’ll work for yourself, start a company, be a great leader of your industry or workforce. Maybe more.
And speaking of great leadership, mentorship seems to have been lost almost everywhere with the exception of artisans, and craftsmen (craftspeople, for the gender sensitive). And even there, art schools are stacking students high with skills, and until the last minute, very little REAL WORLD practicum.
Take a look at this video from IgnitePhilly I, where University of the Arts’ President Sean Buffington eloquently explains how as a university administrator he KNOWS that things are fucked up, and even how, but doesn’t know to go about making steps in any new direction.
From IgnitePhilly2 (4 months later), Chris Lehmann of the Science Leadership Acadamy talks about how schools need to stop being run like businesses, find new metrics for success, and a general lack of responsibility and accountability in the system despite the quality of the educators. Science Leadership Acadamy is an empowerment-based educational system, experimentally created in partnership with The Franklin Institute. One of my favorite points he makes is: you can’t learn when you feel the subject is more important than you are.
“What happens when school is real life, and not just preparation for real life”.
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Isn't it Time to Get Unstuck?
I’ve realized something important. The number one killer of the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t a lack of funding, a lack of know-how, a lack of resources, and it’s certainly not a lack of desire or passion. With all of the gloom and doom about the economy, we’re lucky to have smart people around to remind us that constraints are a good thing, since they force us to focus and use what we do have with the greatest deal of efficiency. With the right frame of mind, constraints help remind us what we have in the first place.
The number one killer? Ourselves.
We are our own worst enemies.
It’s freaking HARD to step outside of yourself and determine step one, regardless of the constraints (natural or artificial). Mentorship is, as I’ve written before, an important core concept. But sometimes, it’s not quite mentorship you need. It’s a someone to point you down a path and give you the kick in the ass you need to get going.
That’s why I’ve launched Unstick.me – That thing you need to get going again.
This is my own first step into “micro-consulting”, with a focus on something that I’ve gotten really good at and most importantly, really enjoy doing: helping others through the thought process and decision making to reach the necessary first or next step to just do something.
The model is simple: you schedule an hour with me, we each do a little bit of homework before hand, and then we spend that hour talking through your sticking points. By the end of the hour, you’ve got the loving kick in the ass you need and at least one actionable step down your road to recovery from being stuck. Think of it like therapy, without me ever asking “How does that make you feel?”.
There’s only one service on the menu, and it’s $240.
In case it’s not 100% clear, the action item is the value proposition. Potential side effects may include validation, support, and encouragement.
The End is Near
Dramatic, huh? I mean the end of 2008 is near. That means three things: holiday gifts, new years resolutions, and tax writeoffs!
The perfect gift for your entrepreneurial family member or significant other: this really IS the gift that keeps on giving. We’ve all got someone we love that’s as passionate as all get out but can’t seem to put their first foot foward. Buy them an Unstick.me consult. It’s way better than a sweater.
Set a resolution worth keeping: 2009 is just around the corner, which means fresh starts. Get unstuck this month so you know what your resolution should be, and how to keep it.
There’s nothing like writing off progress: If you’re an independent or small business owner, December means you’re looking for last minute write offs. Well, consider this “professional development” and is a qualifying write off! There’s only a few weeks left in 2008. Hop to it.
More to Come
As with everything I do, this is a work in progress. After all, wouldn’t it be funny if I got stuck unsticking?
I’m so happy. I made it through an entire post without mentioning Twitter.
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