“Information feeds imagination which fuels creation.” –Clay Clarkson
After we’ve cultivated our curiosity and wallowed in wonder, we are primed to experience the most fruitful and rewarding stage of learning.
Tell about it!
So often, we expect to begin at the proficient “tell about it” stage OR we quit before we get there.
I encourage you not to quit. This is the time for action. Use your voice. Exhibit your creativity. Communicate with others. Embrace expression.
Reveal, declare, exhibit, relate.
Turn those ideas into “flesh.”
Use your skills in relationship with others.
Find an outlet—even if you are just using your newly learned Spanish at a Mexican restaurant!
- Present your research or skill in writing or speaking or demonstration or artistic form.
- Teach or lead.
- Meet with a group of friends to discuss or create.
- Join a competitive team or league.
- Make something to give as a gift.
- Pick a project to do with your kids.
- Join an active online group.
- Create a blog to share your journey, what you’re learning and creating.
- Start a book club, whether you are reading fiction or non-fiction or books on a specific theme.
A few years ago, while cultivating my curiosity, I read Deconstructing Penguins, a fantastic book about leading a parent and child book club. The book sparked something inside of me and I knew I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to wallow! Soon after, I discovered the literary analysis program Teaching the Classics and I was delighted to spend time learning more deeply how to analyze and discuss books, from picture books to complex works of literature.
Once I felt I had a bit of understanding and a few tools under my belt, I roped my sister into starting a parent and child book club with me. We weren’t experts yet, but we made great “lead learners.” The book club was a success because we all enjoyed learning together as a small community.
Later, I was given the opportunity to share about our book club (tell about it!) in a podcast and then to create a video workshop, for those whose curiosity was sparked by the podcast, so that other parents could learn how to start their own literary analysis book club!
I’m still not an expert, but I’ve experienced the learning process and I have been given the opportunity to see the fruits of my engagement with an idea that excites me.
Sharing our ideas, skills, or artwork (whether a dance or a sculpture or a beautiful meal) nourishes both us and those around us. The sharing invites others to join our adventure.
But “telling about it” has an added bonus!
Have you ever had the opportunity to speak on a subject or teach a class? You likely discovered that teaching has an intensity that lends itself to deep-rooted learning!
“We Learn . . .
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss
80% of what we experience
95% of what we teach others.”
~William Glasser
So, I encourage you. Embrace the adventure. “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it!”
ACTIVITIES & QUESTIONS
- How have you seen this principle of “tell others about it” work in your own life?
- Does the idea of learning something and then sharing it with others excite you or terrify you?