Student of Experience

I remember hearing one time, “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.” The statement is along the same lines as the idea that we “learn more from losses than from wins.” While I certainly agree with the sentiment, I believe there needs to be a disclaimer.

While it’s true there are often more lessons and opportunities to grow in the midst of adversity, we only benefit if we are willing to be a student. It’s easy to miss the lesson and lose out on the experience when we are overly focused on a result and overlook the process.

Our ability to learn and grow – our opportunity to gain experience – has more to do with attitude and outlook than circumstance and environment. There are lessons all around us if we are willing to quietly listen. We must “lean in” like an eager pupil and embrace the posture of a student.

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Mindset Matters

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