Never Stop Learning

THERE’S NO MAGIC BULLET

If you want to lead: Learn

If you want to teach: Prepare

Marlene LeFever, acclaimed creative educator & author, quipped:

Becoming an effective teacher is simple. You just prepare and prepare until drops of blood appear on your forehead.”

STAY TEACHABLE

Here is the story of a man you might only recognise as a simple comedian.

Entrepreneur extraordinaire: Charlie Chaplin

In the 1920's, Charlie Chaplin was the most famous person in the world.

Born into poverty, he worked on the stage to support himself and by the age of 17 he was a veteran performer. Then at the age of 29 he did something unheard of: he signed the entertainment industry’s first million-dollar contract.

But he wasn’t successful simply because he had talent and drive. He was also teachable. He kept learning and perfecting his gift. Even at the height of his career, the highest paid performer in the world didn’t rest on his laurels. He said:

When I watch one of my pictures, I pay attention to what the audience doesn’t laugh at. If several audiences don’t laugh at a stunt, I tear it apart and try to discover what’s wrong. On the other hand, if I hear laughter I hadn’t expected, I ask myself why that particular thing rang a bell with the audience.”

The truth is if Charlie Chaplin had replaced teachability with complacency or arrogance, we probably wouldn’t even remember his name today. But he didn’t. He never forgot the basics and he committed himself to learning.

Eventually he co-founded United Artists, a mega-movie company still in business today.

SOMETHING TO TAKE ON BOARD

Qualities to have:

A determination to learn and better yourself - even when you already have talent or success.
An attitude of preparedness - making sure you put in the preparation work and constantly evaluate the outcomes.
Ability to resist both complacency and pride - either of these will cut you off from learning or growing.
A drive to embrace new technology - as Charlie Chaplin did with the movie industry.
Ability to take on other challenges and risks - involving yet more learning.

Story thanks to Bob Gass word4U2day.com.au

Peter Irvine
www.peterirvine.com
Peter is Co-Founder of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, author of ‘Win In Business’ and ‘Building your Business, your People, your Life’ and keynote speaker.

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