A Story About Improvement
Harmonizing Growth Through Personal Lessons
Who’s talking?
You’re beginning to know me and my penchant for storytelling. I thought it fitting to start this article with a tale.
Once, during my early days as a music teacher, I had a new student with years of experience. So far, so good, but this student quickly confronted me with a recurring reality in my teaching career.
He was eager, hardworking, and passionate. However, he felt frustrated, sensing a plateau in his progress.
He then asked me, reminiscent of a magnificent scene with Robin Williams,
“Oh Captain, My Captain” - Why am I not progressing anymore ?
I pondered for a moment, various thoughts swirling in my mind. Was it a lack of effort? Perseverance? Repetition?
My student lacked none of these essential qualities for growth. But something crucial was missing.
Socrates’ Lesson
There’s a popular phrase often attributed to Einstein that says the height of insanity is repeating the same experiment while expecting a different result.
Though aimed at madness, it aptly describes what was missing in my apprentice. Despite his dedication, he persisted in using the same flawed method.
Instead of providing a ready-made answer, I wanted to highlight the principle of a philosopher I admire and employ Socratic questioning.
The Danger of Alibis
I was surprised when he said, “I’m not meant to be as good as you.”
Despite the indirect flattery, this statement stung as it lacked justification.
Truths can be hard to face, especially when they expose our shortcomings. Yet, I noticed the temptation to resort to such excuses.
The worst part is that we believe these excuses offer solutions when, in fact, they only trigger frustration.
Asking the Right Questions
Despite one of my articles emphasizing spirituality, I categorize myself as a Cartesian who relies on tangible data.
I observed what was lacking in my student but wanted him to learn this lesson himself.
I took a piece he struggled with and isolated a small part reflecting his challenge. I asked him what he saw as the problem, and he realized after a while that he was trying to play too fast.
Guiding him, rather than paving his way, I encouraged him to adjust the tempo to his current level, gradually increasing it through drills.
The Conclusion
Though this article’s example revolves around music education, its lessons are multidimensional and applicable wherever improvement is sought.
Throughout my career, I’ve realized the importance of asking the right questions, evaluating situations in line with our goals, and adapting our strategies. Work, repetition, and perseverance are futile if the method is flawed.
Let’s spare ourselves the false claims of destiny and focus on the areas we approach sporadically. As for alibis, they merit deeper examination. Join me in my next article on spotting and avoiding the trap of limiting beliefs.
Did you find this article helpful, or should I be condemned to drink hemlock? Feel free to share what challenges you or your tips for improvement!
Thanks for reading.