Training the mind to think.
Rich Russakoff
Internationally Renowned Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur, #1 Amazon Best Selling Author & Coach of 7 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners, and over 100 INC. 500 Award Winners.Sc
Originally posted December 1, 2021
"Education is not about the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think."
-Albert Einstein
Many years ago, I read an article by Peter Drucker, the legendary management guru of the 20th century. In it, he asked the question, "How do you learn?"
It's a great question. Regardless of how traditional approaches to education think we should learn, the beauty of it is that we all have the freedom to choose our own unique learning paths.
Many high achievers do not learn well in classroom settings but are lifetime learners. Reading books like Psychology 101 in college taught me little or nothing about interpersonal skills, negotiations, coaching, kindness, or leadership.
Our focus should be on learning smarter, not harder, which explains the popularity of YouTube and Ted Talks and how they have been part of the revolution in how, what, and when we learn.
Below are facts about YouTube and the TED talks I discovered on Google. By the way, Google is another extraordinary learning vehicle.
Ted Talks
The nonprofit that runs the conference and video series was born in 1984 as a format for professionals in technology, entertainment, and design (hence the name TED) to share their innovative ideas.
Today, over 1,500 TED Talk videos and thousands of events are held across over 150 countries.
Here are thirteen reasons they're so popular:
1. They Are Available Online for Free
2. They Discuss Specific Topics.
3. They Highlight Diverse Speakers.
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4. They Go Beyond the Classroom and Office.
5. They Are Short.
6. Speeches can only last up to 18 minutes. For critics who say millennials lose interest quickly, TED chose a speech length specifically for fickle viewers.
7. They are long enough to be serious and short enough to hold people's attention.
8. They Are Focused
9. One speaker drives each talk.
10. They Are Shot Like Movies
11. These videos are fun and often stimulating to watch.
12. They Appeal to Global Citizens.
13. They Can Take Place on Campuses.
TED Talks fuel the need to become educated, connected global citizens. The videos make becoming a little more informed and sympathetic as easy as watching an 18-minute presentation, and that's what today's students want.
There are endless ways to learn, including through:
But when all is said and done, it's important to remember that 'life is the best teacher for lifetime learners!' Our experiences, both good and bad, shape us and will teach us our most invaluable lessons.
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