The Importance of Life-Long Education

My parents instilled in me the importance of education. There are a few distinct memories that I have as a kid. First, they would read to me before bed, you know, the classics like Dr. Seuss. Well before I could read the words, I’d heard it so much that when it was my turn to try and read it, I’d heard it enough that I could “read” aka repeat the words back by memory.

As I got older and could actually read on my own, without having to hear it 1,000 times, my mom would take us to the public library. Where I’d find all sorts of books that looked interesting and I’d check out a few at a time. Then sit and spend hours reading through them. I’d read just about anywhere though since I don’t get car or motion sick. These were mostly science fiction. Basically anything with a good story and a cool cover. I did judge a book by its cover back then.

At home, we had a full set of encyclopedias. I’d pick a letter of the alphabet and start flipping through to see what’s inside. Lay out on the ground and just browse through. It was a color set with nice glossy pages.

Through high school, I’d just read fiction. Finding series and reading one book after the next. Some were popular, some not as much. I just enjoyed reading.

In college, I really didn’t pick up anything for enjoyment. Everything was about my current curriculum and a lot of extra-curricular activities. Reading just wasn’t one of them.

After college, I remember being at a friend's house and we ended up talking about what we’ve been up to lately. You know the typical catch-up type thing. Then somehow the topic of books came up. He’d been reading a ton. I really hadn’t. So, he had a lot of things to say and talk about, whereas I really didn’t have much because I wasn’t reading.

That feeling of not knowing. Not having something interesting to talk about was enough for me. I knew that I wouldn’t have that again. So when I got home, I went to the nearest Barnes and Noble and picked out a few books to read.

Years later, I had a job where I drove to another office every week. 2 hours there. 2 hours back. While I do like music, it isn’t my default. So I knew I’d have to find something to fill the time. I started with audiobooks, then podcasts. Now, I fill all my driving time with books and podcasts.

Hearing these amazing interviews with incredible people also meant that I picked up more books because of their recommendations.

I’m not sure where I got this, but one of my dreams is to have my own library. Something that’s beautiful, lined with books from all ages. Books I’ve read. Amazing couches and chairs to sit and read in. It’s definitely on the list.

The collection of books has become somewhat of an obsession. I pick up new books regularly. And I pick up a lot of used books, some that are out of print. Authors from long ago. Talk about philosophy, thought process,es and stories of their life.

I know that education is important. And it was shown to me that education doesn’t stop when you graduate from college. There were a lot of guys that I went to school with who didn’t need to study. Who could just show up to class, ace tests, and move on? In college, this wasn’t me. I could somewhat do that in high school, but not college. I had to work hard in college.

Yet, when I look out and even reconnect with a few folks I can see the divergence. From me continuing to educate myself and absorb as much knowledge as possible from a ton of sources. Books, podcasts, documentaries, mentors, coaching, and conversations with people dedicated to the same.

Because learning is a lifelong journey. There is always more to learn. More to know. A different subject to know and understand.

And most importantly, you can make up and cover a lot of ground when others stop learning and you just keep compounding what you know.