A memory from a recent visit home…
Dinner time.
Sitting at the kitchen table reading a magazine.
A family member is busy cooking.
I look out the window.
“Hey, it’s snowing,” I say.
The family member stops cooking, looks out the window, sees the falling snow, then says:
“Hey, Siri, what’s today’s forecast?”
(“Hey, Siri” is how Americans talk to their iPhones.)
“It’s snowing,” Siri says.
Family member looks satisfied and returns to cooking.
Trust Yourself
Is that strange?
Why do you need someone to tell you what you see?
I experience a very similar thing as a teacher.
Often, students ask me to test them.
“Why?” I wonder.
You either need better English or you don’t; those are your only two options.
Yes, a test can tell you that.
But here’s a better idea…
Your Internal Dashboard
Like a car has a dashboard that tells you your speed, direction and how much fuel you have, we have internal dashboards that tell us important information.
Your internal dashboard tells you if you need to lose or gain weight: no need for a scale.
Your internal dashboard tells you if you need to get up off the couch and get some exercise: no need for a watch to count your steps.
Your internal dashboard tells you if you’ve slept well or not: no need for an app.
And your internal dashboard tells you if you need better English or if it’s time to start learning Icelandic.
Why is this important?
Because when you learn to read your internal dashboard, you become the captain of your ship.
You’re behind the wheel.
You’re steering.
You’re in control.
Yes, that’s more responsibility.
Yes, you could make a mistake.
But practice, and you’ll get better.
Trust yourself.
Lead yourself.
It’s part of being an adult.
And more importantly, it’s part of being a successful adult.
Thank you Ryan for these building words. This is the most important to believe that I can.
You’re welcome. Belief is HUGE.
Thanks a lot for the stories! It’s very nice that I can travel too. Although I am still in Prague. There is strong wind and rain. It reminds me of my favorite Crimea from my childhood. It’s winter there too. Winter in Crimea is with winds and rains.
And it is part of being human in the age of AI.
I like AI, but I guide the chatGPT, when I ask it something, not vice versa. 🙂
and I am not asking an app or a neural network for every step I make.
Taking advise, gathering information from different angles – ok, but the final decision is mine.
I highly appreciate, that you inspire people, Ryan. This is much more than just teaching English!!!
Excellent! Thanks a lot.
Exactly said! Thank you!