You’re Such A Know It All

Have you ever tried to tell a teenager … anything? I have two daughters over the age of 14, and sometimes it amazes me just how much they know … or at least, think they know. It’s as if children hit a certain age and suddenly their parents know very little and they have life all figured out. Then, later in life, we come back to the place where we wonder if we really know anything at all.

But what if teenagers have it right. What if we do know it all? Okay, maybe not when we are fifteen, but what if there comes a point in our lives when we actually do know everything we need to know? Let me suggest that if you are over the age of 40, then you’re likely there. You probably know everything you need to know.

Robert Fulghum believes you learned everything you need to know before you began Grade One. In 2004, Fulghum wrote the book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten (Amazon Affiliate Link). He suggested that all the really important life lessons can be simplified down to the things we learn as children. For instance, we’re taught that sharing is a good thing. As we mature, we discover that life really is about give and take, about compromise with one another, about sharing ideas. Children are reminded to look both ways before crossing the street. As we grow up, we discover that success comes only when you consider options from many directions. We need to look at things from both way (or multiple angles) before implementation.

I’m 45 years old. To be honest, I’ve come to the conclusion that I now know everything I need to know. Yes, you read that right. I am officially a know it all. But, I’m also passionate about being a life long learner. I can’t imagine ever getting to the point when I am no longer wanting to learn. So, how can you be a know it all and also a life long learner? And how the heck does this relate to business coaching?

For the answer, read the rest of this post over at my personal blog.

Rob Dale – Business Coach, Ottawa