learning long life

Wow, setting that up was harder than I thought! I agonized over finding a name that was clever but not cheezy, something that defined me without being too personal. Then I decided it didn't matter that much, wasn't worth the effort, and just used what I was given. So, on to the learning stuff we're supposed to talk about.


I always expected to be a lifelong learner, but I've found myself more recently falling out of that, resisting change and new things, and realizing that I've begun thinking things like, "I'm too old for that!" (I'm 24; that's unacceptable.) So here's to a change.

Of the 7 1/2 things, I will struggle the most with either the first, Goal Setting, or the seventh, Teaching. I don't tend to work with goals in mind; in the past, I've taken pride in the fact that I just take things as they come, working with the wind and giving myself only minimal guidance. I probably picked this habit up in primary school. I never had to work for decent grades, so I just floated through my classes. That worked through college, though I ended up with a degree other than what I started for. (I think I'm better off for that, thought I might be using the result to justify the means.) I've never had specific career goals, and what life goals I've set have so far worked themselves in line. On a daily basis, I blow off goals I set for myself (exercising, getting the bedroom/kitchen/basement cleaned, getting dinner together, etc). So I guess I've just found the first step I need to take to rebuild myself as a lifelong learner: begin to set and achieve goals in daily life.

As far as teaching, I'll have trouble with this one simply because I don't seek out opportunities to teach. I grew up in a household of educators, and decided early on that was not the route for me. Education is a logical path for me to follow in my primary field of music, but I've never pursued this. I don't mind teaching in a peer setting (as long as reciprocation occurs), but like I said, I hesitate to seek out opportunities.

Enough negative! I think I'll have the most fun with No. 6, Utilizing Technology. That is, as long as technology is made available for me to utilize. I enjoy learning my way around new toys that I can then use to show up my technologically challenged family. (All my friends are more technologically capable than am I, so I have to show off to some one. My poor, put upon siblings.) So, bring it! We'll see how this all works out.

Auf Wiederschreiben,
Brian