Comments on: Video Update: Learning from Everyone

By: Mary Miller-McNutt

Mary Miller-McNutt — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:04:16 +0000

Chris,
Thanks for having this. It’s interesting reading all the comments. I am open to different ideas and opinions. I think traveling to other countries is a good way to educate yourself also. It broadens one’s outlook on many things.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Mary

By: Sebastien Plisson

Sebastien Plisson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:20:19 +0000

I ‘discovered’ that one does not need to be the one that get the argument, hold the truth. It is OK to disagree and let go. We can always learn !

By: kate

kate — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:22:19 +0000

Thank you for this post! When I first learned to read, my dad taught me that we can learn from everyone and every book, and that idea has stuck with me ever since.

Now, I work in academia, and part of my job is to teach critical thinking to students. I do teach critique and evaluation (students need to learn not to believe everything willy-nilly), but I try to couple it with thinking about solutions as well. I think it’s when we get stuck in critique mode without moving forward to solutions (or without really trying to understand multiple perspectives) that we lose our creativity.

Thanks again. It’s so nutritious to hear your thoughts on this.

By: Richard Howes

Richard Howes — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:56:48 +0000

Hi Chris,

I can relate to your view that everyone has something to teach you.

At university I majored in economics and in my final year (1993!) took the following electives:

Marxian economics
Labour economics
Economics of gender
(and threw in macro economics for balance)

My class mates were shocked that I had a communist or socialist viewpoint. In fact, I was and am firmly in the (responsible) capitalist camp. But I understood capitalism (I thought) and wanted to learn about the “other side” – about the aspects of economics I knew nothing about.

It was a good decision and absolutely fascinating in a way that studying “standard” economics could never be. Plus the decidedly socialist professor was a gem!

As an aside I think socialism and Marxian economics can teach capitalists a lot. Most first world western economies have a socialist bent these days (pure capitalism is hard to defend when all nations are dominated by labourers and its one-person-one-vote).

I highly recommend people look over the fence as often as possible. Its far more fascinating that the side you already know.

Regards
Richard

By: Trackback from Simple Productivity

Trackback from Simple Productivity — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:46:27 +0000

[...] Video Update: Learning From Everyone [...]

By: Fadzilah

Fadzilah — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:24:22 +0000

Well said, Chris……..I’m with you! Everyone we meet, regardless of age, race, culture, religious beliefs, status, etc., every experiene we go through in life, everything and everybody around us that we see, touch, feel, hear, observe, read, etc……..is teaching us something and from some we can even learn great lessons.
Thanks Chris. Keep travelling and keep up your good work!

By: Global Patriot

Global Patriot — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:49:50 +0000

I long ago adopted the notion that every moment is a potential learning experience, especially when things don’t go right. In those moments, as I feel frustration building, I try to bring forward the question, “why is this happening, and what is the purpose?”

More often that not I see something significant or meet someone extraordinary, and might have missed the opportunity had I remained lost in my own self pity.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:29:02 +0000

Chris, I have really enjoyed reading your blog and watching your videos, especially this one. We share the same philosophy on learning. I only wish I had more time to read.

I spent 2-years traveling to 15 countries back in my 20’s which has greatly shaped my world view today. My traveling days are limited to the island area now with my two young children.

If you are ever in the Victoria BC area, I (we), would be most honoured and appreciative if you could come and speak at our Social Media Club.

By: Chuck Kuhn

Chuck Kuhn — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:35:30 +0000

Thanks for the wake up call, been there, done that (I hate those words) I’m about to wear some of your shoes. Leaving USA to travel for as long as my shoes & feet can make it. I’ve traveled mostly in Asia the last 5 yrs for 2-3 weeks. Now I want to go with no time frame on returning. I’m set money wise, but lost my traveling partner, writer (I’m the photographer) so seeing the world with 2 eyes this time. Passion is alive to move, you are lucky to be able to explore the world. Again thanks..I’m 64

By: Justin C. Velthoen

Justin C. Velthoen — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:13:32 +0000

Excellent view! I had the same realization this week. I had become very critical and stopped looking at each experience as something to learn from. Now when I get frustrated I break out a journal and start taking notes of what I can learn from the bad experience.