Ready to Learn. Refusing to be Taught.

Toilet paper roll and pink tile
Originally uploaded by iva_01

"Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." ~ Winston Churchill

Isn't that the way many of us are? We all clamor to learn more and more (to which there is no end) and yet when we are taught we have a tendency to grumble. We run the other way. We become defensive. We think we know it already. We think we know it all. We close our ears. We have a desire to learn, but we want to learn on our own terms. Especially when we're doing something wrong or in a way that is just not working.

• When someone offers some constructive criticism, what do you do? Do you become defensive? It's a natural reaction. It's much more difficult to take a step back and listen to corrective advice. It's easier to allow pride to get in the way. It's difficult to be taught.

• When someone comes to you with a new idea, contrary to your way of thinking, what do you do? Do you refuse to listen? It's a natural reaction. It's much more difficult to open up your mind and listen to a new idea. It's easier to allow preconceived notions to get in the way. It's difficult to be taught.

Not all constructive criticism will benefit us. Not all new ideas are very good, or even new. Yet we should always be willing to listen and consider them when presented to us. Refusing to listen is refusing to be taught, even when we believe we are ready to learn.