Fearlessness.
Uninhibited curiosity.
An unquenchable thirst for adventure.
Kids are magical creatures with an unimaginable capacity to adapt and learn from the world around them.
Kids see the world through a lens of possibility.
When confronted with a risk vs reward scenario, adults spend a lot of time detailing and categorizing all of the risks.
Kids focus on the reward.
Do you remember climbing trees as a kid?
I remember being a kid and climbing trees with complete abandon. From the moment I spotted a good climbing tree, I couldn’t wait to start climbing.
My mind would instinctively study the branches, mapping a route to the top. I would be drawn to that tree as if there was a physical force pulling me there.
Climbing was freedom. Getting to the top was victory.
Then we get older and start second guessing every stupid little thing.
As adults, we see a great climbing tree and get nostalgic about that feeling of freedom.
But we don’t climb.
We’re stopped by the terrifying notion that someone might see us struggle to get to that first branch.
We might get a scrape on a knee or tear our pants. We might fall. We might look foolish and fail completely.
Sure. We might.
But as kids, we knew more than we know now.
We knew that we would enjoy the climb. We knew we could surprise ourselves every day. We knew we would see the world from a whole new perspective once we got to the top.
We knew we would find out we’re capable of much more than we realized moments ago, standing at the bottom of the tree.
We were smarter as kids.
We can do all of those things as adults. Even if we do get there with a few holes in our pants, scratches on our elbows and a little humility about the fact that it took us 20 tries and a boost from a 10 year old to make it past the first branch.
But everyone knows we can learn wonderful things from our kids.
We need to stop learning from our kids and start learning with them.
No one explains this better than John A Taylor in his Notes on an Unhurried Journey:
When we adults think of children there is a simple truth that we ignore: childhood is not preparation for life; childhood is life. A child isn’t getting ready to live; a child is living.
No child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these are denied by adults who have convinced themselves that childhood is a period of preparation.
How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would recognize children as partners with adults in the process of living, rather than always viewing them as apprentices.
How much we could teach each other; we have the experience and they have the freshness. How full both our lives could be.
This is why I’m doing what I’m doing
The concept that kids are partners with adults in the process of living (i.e., kids are people too) is a recurring theme for me. It’s a foundation for BrainyFeet and for my home education philosophy. And one of the the reasons I created the Self-Made Business Academy.
The Self-Made Business Academy is the only online business course that encourages you and your kids to learn and grow together. You will be an example of lifelong learning, commitment & personal accountability. Your kids will be an example of fearlessness, innovation and trust.
Together you’ll move mountains.
I would love for you and your kids to join me on this adventure!
Now I offer The Life Blended Business Series for adults & I’m currently developing BrainyFeet Biz Building Kits for kids. I hope you…and the kids in your life….will join me on this adventure!
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