Learning from experience
By Lina Perez and Victoria Vasile, Chocolate Milk, Miami -- Kids Today, 10/1/2007 12:00:00 AM
Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, recently observed that "greatness lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall." Life-long learning and the self-development process result from setting out a personal plan, implementing and evaluating that plan and then making adjustments to that plan. This learning cycle works for individuals and organizations because it enables us to not only rise after falling, but to learn from that falling and then to apply that learning to the next phase of our personal and professional development. Through this cycle, we become wiser and stronger — and bring greater value to our company and to our own life.
Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher (c. 535 - 475 BC) once said "nothing endures but change." Today, more than perhaps at any other time in history, the pace of change is breathtaking.
This has been quite a year for us. Writing this monthly article has allowed us to do some out loud thinking, reflect on personal and business levels and take a very emotional journey through change — the ever constant. We have taken our business and tossed it, flipped it, studied it and watched the numbers go up and down daily; we've attended seminars and talked about the business with friends, associates and peers.
We have found that most business owners, especially in the beginning, are just like us, we all go to bed thinking about our business and wake up thinking about our business, whether your business is a huge money maker or not. It is now an integral part of who we are. This "Wheel of Change" shows pretty much how change takes effect and takes us through different periods.
With all of the changes this year what we have gathered most is experience. It's been said "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from poor judgment". No matter how you define it, experience is an excellent teacher and when its lessons are used effectively, you or your company can expect to reap large rewards.
Experience is a learning tool. I remember one of my college professors always said to us "Education is important, but experience teaches you. You need an education because it's society's merit badge. But always remember that it's the experiences of your life that will ultimately provide life's greatest lessons. Accept each experience as learning." Learning from experience and putting that knowledge to use requires reflection. If you already know the value of reflection, you understand that it's a catalyst for change. These are the questions we are asking now to take us into the new year:
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What were our blessings this year?
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What were our learning experiences?
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What will we take with us into 2008?
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What will we discard or leave behind?
We try to keep asking ourselves questions that will evoke thought and questions that we can continue to ask ourselves throughout the year encouraging forward movement and growth. We hope they do the same for you.
Lina & Victoria, Chocolate Milk
It has been said, "Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from poor judgement".
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