I think some of the most profound things in life (and in business) are often the most simple. Too bad so many of us are looking for more complicated solutions to life’s challenges - often at the expense of being, knowing and enjoying!

Thanks again, Rick

Rick Maurer
http://www.beyondresistance.com

Great thoughts on how the current system may be doing the opposite of what it intends to do (decreasing motivation for learning/knowing rather than increasing - or perhaps simply staying out of the way of - humans’ natural desire to learn). I agree that it is not the students’ fault at all - it seems to me that the current system often does impose “have to’s” onto a natural “want to” (knowing/learning) - which is a recipe for de-motivation more often than not. I think this is a matter that is of great importance as we try to encourage others to reconnect to their natural love of learning/knowing.

Thanks for stopping by again, Brian and Richard!

We have in this country a system of diplomas, with occasional traces of education. I also appreciate your locating the problem as much in “society’s directive” as you do in individual students. As a college instructor myself, I find most students are simply responding to their accurate perceptions about how the system works. And, most of their previous education has DISCOURAGED curiosity, punishing people for thinking outside the box/textbook.

Let’s change it!

Hopefully these wanderings make some sense.

Regards, Richard

Very good comments! Regarding mechanisms of encouraging others to be themselves, there are quite a few, but here are some that I think work well:

1. Tell people that you value their thoughts and feelings - even if you do not share the same thoughts/feelings all the time. I think the first step is affirming that this is a value you hold. This is important, but talk can be cheap, so . . .

2. Back up item 1 with rewarding people when they are themselves, even if being themselves means disagreeing with you - and try to avoid punishing them for doing so as much as possible. Comments like, “I disagree with you, but value your opinion - let me think about that,” or “Thanks for pointing out where I was off-base there - that was great,” could be good examples of this. Frowning, complaining, putting others down and/or threatening (including doing so behind their others’ backs) are ways that we can punish others for being who they are.

3. Make a commitment to investigate how it is that you get upset or uncomfortable when others think/feel differently from you. Often, being angry or hurt simply because others are expressing themselves is an indication that one has some inner conflicts that may need to be resolved in order to allow people to be themselves around you. Talking this through with a trusted friend or an experienced professional can pay big dividends here, in my experience!

Those are a few specifics on this topic that come to mind off the top of my head. Hope they are helpful, Katie!

Also, I feel it is important to surround yourself with people that have ‘got these 3 things down’ or are working to understand these 3 things. It is encouraging for someone working on getting at least 1 of them down. I suppose I should take your observations into account for those that feel they cannot be themselves, have little enthusiasm for learning, and/or feel that seeking enjoyment is punishable. Then through my actions I could help people in their own life satisfaction.