I don’t like to repeat anything after I’ve learned it. I seem to be in a constant search for new wisdom. That makes me see myself as an explorer and mapmaker rather than a teacher or even a guide. To teach and guide requires a detailed translation of what you find. I just want to explain it, and then keep exploring.
The role of mapmaker
Think of Lewis and Clark. They explored uncharted territory, made maps, they wrote reports and they moved on. They were not the people who settled and developed the land. They simply explored and reported what they discovered.
For me, the role of explorer and mapmaker is exciting, the role of a settler is not. Are you an explorer or a settler? Or a bit of both? It’s helpful to know so you don’t try to fit yourself into a role you don’t truly want.
To teach is to learn
One of the most powerful ways to learn is to teach something to someone else. It makes you organize your thoughts, discover the necessary learning sequence that’ll make sense to others and figure out what’s important to learn first; the foundation, if you will, the core information.
I used to teach courses, but if I teach now it’s in small blog posts that explain my thinking and insights. I simply offer it, you read it, and it sparks something in you and you apply it to your life – or you don’t.
Through doing, we teach
I had stopped thinking of myself as a teacher because I felt I was simply offering my new insights. It was pointed out to me that the fact that I’m both old and productive teaches others what’s possible. I hadn’t thought about that. How you live your life can be a lesson and an inspiration to others.
So I’ll stop beating myself up for discovering, tasting, sharing what I find and moving on. That’s simply what I’m doing right now.
Don’t beat yourself up if you are an explorer and not a settler. Explorers are needed in the world too.
To Sing a Deeper Song Consider:
Why Do You Believe What You Do
The Language of the Stubble Realms
