Learning to Grow

In the past, I have always thrown myself into new interests, hobbies and career opportunities, to the point that I often wanted to be the best at them, to be able to win at them, every time. But…

“The commitment needed to win every time (sic) might mean that you’re not doing anything new or difficult. You might be winning, but you’re not growing, and growing might be the most important form of winning. Should victory in the present always take precedence over trajectory across time?”

For me, not anymore.

Having gone to 6th form with pretty much no idea what I wanted to do but knowing that I didn’t want to go to university, it’s fair to say that gaining any additional qualifications was off my radar.

The fact that I am taking on my third degree qualification is absolutely crazy to me, but it does show that focussing on my learning, development and growth for the benefit of mine and my family’s future is now much more important to me than winning in the present.

What’s even more ridiculous is that coming towards the end of my Engineering degree I said, “never again”. Then after a while I thought it would be a good idea to take on a Business Management degree to compliment my new career path. Although I enjoyed it, again, towards the end I remember thinking, “never again”!

This must be a VERY watered-down version of the process that women go through with childbirth – forgetting the suffering, remembering the outcome, and therefore often repeating the process, because here I am now taking on a level 5 CIPD qualification in Learning and Development.

To continue with the pregnancy comparisons, I must be in the “glowing” phase, because I am absolutely loving it. There’s something really satisfying when you’re learning about learning, knowing that it’s going to positively impact the future of people I work with, which for me currently is my apprentice team.

Although this may be my last degree, I get the feeling that I won’t be saying “never again” this time.

My advice would be to stop striving to be the best right now. This may only leaves you with something to look back on, which isn't the worst thing ever.. but it will fade. Instead think about the future journey you could take onto your next learning experience, then the next, then the next. It will be much more rewarding, and never ending.

Thanks to everyone that has helped me get to where I am today, and those that have opened the doors to allow me to keep learning, developing and growing.

P.s. 10 points to anyone who can name the author of the quote 😊