Don't stick to what you are good at

I took a bit of time off from e-learning and the madness of L&D to take a week dipping my toes in the swimming pool on the island of Menorca. Surrounded by a stark contrast of Irish bars and Fish and Chips shops, with historic cathedrals and laid-back coffee shops with cake to die for, I found the island one of major contrasts.

The hotel complex we stayed in was one designed with families in mind. Despite being firmly in term time, my cleaver ploy of avoiding crowds of kids failed badly as the complex was full of them. This is not a problem as children playing is a sound I find enjoyable, but you did tend to trip over one or two smaller children if you weren’t looking where you were going.

By and large I sat back, closed my eyes and enjoyed the sun (yes, I know it was raining back home) and read my Kindle. However, one morning a child walked past my lounger wearing a T Shirt that gave my a start. The message was simple, meant to be funny but one which made me feel uncomfortable. It simply said, “stick to what you’re good at”.

I knew this was a joke but it struck a chord with me how many of our children are being told 

“don't bother trying” 

“oh no you don't want to do that”

“oh no don't fiddle with that “

“don't do this” 

 How many adults follow these patterns as well?

“oh well I know what I'm good at I'll stick to that” 

“I'm not going to try anything”

“ you all know I'm set in my way”

Over the years I have heard it time and time again. Yet here I am approaching, to be honest with you, 60 (which is scary) I often look back over my life and think of the many things I dabbled in and tried. I would see something and think “I like that, why don’t I have a go?” 

I've taken up running, I've done radio work on a voluntary basis, I get involved in geocaching, I really enjoy political commentary and political discussion, I'm a railway enthusiast and take interest in the modern railway system and its development and I like industrial archaeology and the history that goes with it.

Whenever I am on holiday I always play boules. It's a game I enjoy and the only time I ever play it is on holiday; in fact, I could say I'm an international boules player. Whilst in Croatia last year I came across a game called M?lkky which is a Finnish skittles game. I had never played it before so I had a go and it's one which I want to try to introduce into some of my awaydays and maybe even our community investment days 

Some would say I dabble, some would say I fiddle, but at the end of the day I see things and I think “you know what, that interests me, so why not?” 

So no, I'm not going to stick to what I'm good at as there may be something else I am good at that I haven’t found yet. 

And that is a long-winded way of saying, learning new things can be fun.

Now who’s up for a game of M?lkky?