In my opinion, the following quote pretty much sums up what a successful life looks like;
“You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much.”
Wouldn’t this be a sensational definition of success to teach our kids?
Let me warn you, I’m on my soap box because, in my opinion, our education system needs to get with the program and step out of the dark ages! Our kids are being taught (as were we), a very different definition of success.
Success in today’s world is measured by grades, pass or fail, salary, status, possessions, job title, intellect and even how thin or good looking you are. Where does that leave all us jobless, hobbits with no plasma TVS? I’ll tell you where it leaves us, “unsuccessful” (by today’s definition at least) and happy!
I’d love to get my hands on the curriculum of our education system and give it an overhaul. Here’s what I’d do;
- Pay our teachers a whole lot more. They are helping shape our kids. How is it they get paid less than a fork lift driver? No disrespect to fork lift drivers of course but how many fork lifts have you met that have behaviour problems or need to understand long division?
- Do away with the meaningless and impractical content like the ever important reproductive system of a caterpillar (actually, does a caterpillar even have a reproductive system??) and where would we be without knowing the trigonometric parallax limits for space-based methods of measurement? This sort of stuff should be taught on an “as needs” basis at university or college. Perhaps focus instead on making sure kids can actually read, appreciate different cultures and are equipped with techniques for anger management other than punching a wall.
- Up the ante on life skills, emotional intelligence and self awareness. A friend of mine, Debbie, has developed an awesome school based Life Skills Program that covers confidence, responsibility, communication, honesty, respect, love, creativity and personal growth. Imagine how great it would be if it got rolled out through the eduction system.
- Bring in humanitarian subjects devoted to tolerance, compassion, contributing positively to society, social responsibility, environmental responsibility and working together.
- Teach the value of health and fitness, positive body image, attitude, financial responsibility and the importance of family and community.
- Reward creativity and innovation and teach the value of mistakes and failure that inevitably go along with being innovative.
- Teach in diverse ways, not just chalk and talk. Get away from the blackboard, get outside, teach using content that’s relevant (eg song lyrics) and use hands-on, practical teaching.
- Do away with defining success as a grade, a mark or pass/fail. We can put a man on the moon, surely we can come up with a better way to measure success.
- Teach kids they are worthy just for being born, that they can be and do whatever they want and to chase their dreams, regardless of their environment, how they look, where they live or what socio-economic band they find themselves in.
There are probably dozens of other changes I’d make but this would be a good start. Perhaps I’m living in La La Land and this is too idealistic. I don’t have all the answers but judging from the increase in behaviour problems, disengaged young people and youth suicide, we sure as shit are not on the right path at the moment!
Given I’m not Oprah and have a radius of influence that extends about 2 metres, I won’t be overhauling the education system any time soon. What I do intend on doing though, is leading by example as best I can, promoting a new definition of success and making sure my nephew and any young person I encounter is exposed to the new definition too.
OK, rant over. Phew, after that, I need a little rest but before I go…
What is your definition of success? How would you change the education curriculum? What are you doing to promote a different definition of success?
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If you hadnt included the odd expletive I would have given your ‘rant’ full marks!!! I totally agree with you and I am sure that many, many teachers would embrace your ideas as well. Just one comment though …… I believe that arranging to have children do volunteer work would provide them with a whole host of lessons on life and help them to realise their own good fortune and worth as well. One session a month would be more than enough I would image.
Loved your quote!!
Very thought provoking! For as long as I can remember, when I blew out my birthday candles, saw a shooting star or made a wish on something else, I always wished for happiness. Not to say I wasn’t happy already, but I figured as long as I was happy the rest didn’t really matter.
I guess the difficult question then becomes – what makes me happy? What am I really wishing for? I still don’t know, but I’ll keep wishing!
Sami,
My definition of success is a quote very similar to what you’ve listed above, and one I’ve referenced on several occassions as how I define success for me:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children … to leave the world a better place … to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
If I can do this, then I will consider my life a success. I’m working on it…
Hey Sam. I completely agree with you on the whole curriculum, grades, marking, targets etc etc. It is a joke, but dare i say it, always will be. The problem with implementing your ideas would be, the top suits in the highest buldings on the biggest wages won’t want them, because they will be too hard to implement, too hard to record pregression, and too costly, which is probably them main factor. I especially like the on starting “Up the ante on life skills” and the one after it. Imagine the reduction in crime and violence on the streets if these life skills actually meant something to people. Imagine the field trips to hospitals to see victims of knife crime instead of going bowling or something. Hopefully kids/teenagers would develop some respect and empathy for people. I could talk about this all day, but i wont. Great topic to bring up though Sami.
Damn Sami you should have an edit button so i don’t look like a fool and can correct my spelling mistakes, haha. Infact can you just correct all spelling mistakes when you do your “Spam approval” then all will be good
Love, love this post. I feel exactly the same way you do about our so-called education system. There is only one way today for my kids to get that type of education. Homeschool. I wonder if my hubby will mind if I tell him I want to homeschool again.
Unfortunately that is not an option at the moment. I still stress the things that really make people feel happy and fulfilled to my kids. They know that they have to jump through some hoops right now, but it will not be forever. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic.
Great post on the topic of success. I definitely think we could do a lot better job of teaching kids about success (and life!). I just read a great poem called “Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson that you might like:
To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children,
To earn the appreciation of honest critics,
To endure the betrayal of false friends,
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition,
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived,
This is to have succeeded.
How would I change the curriculum? Heck, I’d be behind YOU, pushing you forward into having an Oprah-like sphere of influence, duh! And I’d be circulating petitions to have your changes universally adopted. You’ve got a great vision here.
I’d make sure that the poor, underrated school counselors who begin their career so idealistically and start out wanting to give students the guidance you speak of, then find their ideas and plans shot down by school administrators, were lifted up to a position equivalent to school principal and their say would carry real authority. And of course their pay would be equal as well.
I’ve long thought that when teaching becomes the highest-paying job in society, we’ll pay a whole lot more attention to the industry, and the teachers who deserve that kind of pay will finally get their just due. I think we’re long overdue for a revolution here.
A success measurement alternative to pass/fail and grades? Right now I’m stumped, will need to think longer. Can’t wait to see what others have to say — I think this is a HOT topic!
I want you to be my teacher! Wow, Sami, this is totally great!
What would our world look like if your guidance were implemented? Ahhh, I can only imagine: Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness!!
Thanks for your awesome ideas – another great post!
That’ s a great definition of a successful life.
I would add more personal finance courses. Some of today’s student have very little grasp on some of the basics.
Great topic Sam. Thought provoking and for aussies linked in well with last nights insight program on the governments new “like-with-like school reporting” system and debate on how you measure success in schools (http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/). My thoughts regarding how to get more life skills into schools – there needs to be a BALANCE – Marg’s timetable of life skills once a month may be be a first practical step (especially considering they should be getting this at home too – parents have a lot to contribute to education:-)
@Mum May
Love the idea of volunteer work. Better still, ship them off to do volunteer work in a third world country. That will open their eyes to how good they have it.
Hey Mum, well given my definition of success is no longer based on “full marks”, I can successfully continue using expletives!
@Katie
Hi Katie, I think you nailed it with “as long as I was happy the rest didn’t matter”. That’s pretty much it. And you know, happiness can be found even in “unsuccessful” circumstances and events. I think in a lot of ways, happiness is a choice as opposed to something or someone external. Easier said than done I know but you can actually choose how you view life, circumstances and events regardless of whether they are good or bad.
@Lance
Hey Lance, I’ve heard that quote before and love it too. It’s kind of a more expanded version of the one I’ve used. Rest assured you aren’t working on it…you are there already my friend.
@MartYn
Hey Martini, yeah it’s an unfortunate reality that no amount of my ranting is going to change the education system or the priorities of the suits at the top. I think though, we can all play a part in encouraging young people we know to take a different (and healthier) view of success. It’s better than nothing. I’d love to see a progressive school (would need to be out of the government system) take up some of the ideas we have all presented. It’d be very interesting to see the results. Thanks MartYn. Btw, I’ll fix your typos in your comment, if you fix mine in yours!
@Jill
Hi Jill, thanks very much. I can totally understand why you’d want to home-school your kids. Whilst it isn’t possible for you to do right now, exposing them to a different view of success outside of school is still a great way to go (and I applaud you for it). They’ll be able to see school for what it is – hoop jumping, as you so aptly put it.
@Positively Present
Hey there PP. A sensational poem. Sums up success beautifully. Thanks very much for taking the time to share it.
@Jeanne
Haha! We could start a 2 woman revolution! Look out education system! My sister is a teacher and a bloody good one (I know I’m biased but she is) and she’s constantly thwarted by school administrators, suits in high places and the general rules and regulations of teaching within a government system. She worked out the other day that when she takes into account all the hours she does for playground duty, lesson planning and marking work, she is earning $5 per hour gross. How is that OK? Gets me riled up I tell you!
Re the success measurement, yeah I’m stumped too but given some thought, I’m sure we could come up with something far better. Thanks for sharing Jeanne!
@Lori
Hi Lori, haha, me as a teacher. That’s funny! Far too impatient I’m afraid. What about if I just come up with the system and employ those who are great (and patient) teachers to run with it? Will that work?
@Kosmo
Hey Kosmo, personal finance definitely needs to be included. Kids are expected to miraculously know how to handle money. It really is ridiculous it isn’t included in the curriculum.
@Symo
Hi Symo, that’s a coincidence. I’ll have to check it out (thanks for the link). I totally agree re needing balance and also agree strongly with parents being involved in education. The unfortunate reality for a lot of kids (as you would know) is their parents don’t want to/aren’t capable of being involved. It puts a huge burden on teachers. Another massive reason why teachers should be paid far more and supported much better than they are. Thanks Symo.
Oh you are SO right about this and that is a great definition of success BECAUSE if you are on your death bed its the only one that counts. I think education curriculums go full circle sometimes. They focus on this or that then change again. But you are right, we are focusing on the wrong things. Success means different things to different people. I think we have to allow our kids to find the things that makes them happy and when that is found they become successful. The big thing for me is we are not teaching kids how to be accountable and we are bringing up a generation of narcissists. My baby is a grown up working girl now so I can barely remember her education to be honest. She was academically inclined so she always did ok. I on the other hand hated school and wasted years of schooling I think. Keep ranting, I love your rants.
@Lilly
Hey Lilly, you bring up some great points. The accountability thing is huge. I totally agree. And you’re right re the narcissism. It’s seems to be all about; me, my life, what I want, my rights, me, me and bloody me and I want it all now! Whatever happened to the importance of community, family and helping others? Hopefully this will come full circle. I really hope so. Thanks for stopping by Lilly.
Geez, I wish I had encountered the education you have outlined here when I was at school! I came out of school thinking body image and ‘being cool’ was so important (due to bullying and the like) and that I was far from it. I also thought it was important to get a nice safe and secure job and earn good money. For the past 10 years I’ve been struggling with why I don’t seem to be happy and can’t be content with just any job like other people (generalisation obviously).
I guess I have a different definition of success to that which I was brought up to believe, and have been realising over the past few years that happiness and doing what you enjoy (therefore living a fulfilled life) is whats important, not being in a safe secure job with benefits and being like nearly everyone you went to school with. Subconsciously I think I have known this all along, as I have been pushing boundaries for a while but until I admitted it to myself i wasn’t going to make the necessary changes.
Maybe with the right education and support at school (and home) it might not have taken me so long to realise it:)
I think that I will start to promote a different definition of success by trying to lead by example. Then encourage children (and adults) I encounter to go after what they want and what will make them truly happy.
@Valeska
You know Vee, it’s very cool to see that you’ve learnt a new definition of success while you’re still so young. Not everyone does and some don’t ever learn it. Until the education system and society in general takes on board the new definition all we can do is lead by example. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!