Does anyone else ever wish that life came with learning objectives?

Nope, just me. ok well I can live with that.

In my teacher life I spend a lot of time encouraging my students to study and understand the course learning objectives before they complete their assignments.

Before we move forward I think I should define learning objectives in the context of this conversation (did you see how I switched into teacher mode there?). In my teacher world this are the things the students are supposed to understand after completing each assignment. Completing the learning objectives allows the students to build skills and then eventually complete the course outcomes or the whole course learning objectives.

I think it helps the students understand why we’re doing the assignments we’re doing if they understand the learning objectives before they ever start the assignment… they think… well I don’t know what they think but they don’t share my passion for the learning objectives.

I wish that life came with learning objectives, I specifically wish that certain situations in life came with clearly outlined learning objectives.

I’m one of those people that reads the last page first. I’m cool with knowing the end, actually scratch that,  I prefer to know the end from the beginning.

I know life isn’t a book, but wouldn’t it be great if you knew what you were supposed for learn from each situation from the outset. I don’t necessarily even need to know how I am supposed to learn whatever it is, I just need to know what to learn.

No… I seriously need to know the learning objectives.

I’m excellent at seeing the learning objectives after the fact, but in the moment not so much.

For example, I think our family was supposed to move to Georgia for a reason. I’m not sure the reason, but there’s got to be a reason we left the sweltering comfort of Texas… but I don’t know what it is. I haven’t the foggiest idea why Georgia is our current “place”.

And that’s frustrating. It seems we were brought to this place for a reason, come on people what’s the reason? What lesson do we need to learn? What people do we need to meet? What situation do we need to find ourselves in?

There’s a chance that the reason is to learn humility and patience… but I’d prefer to ignore that.

But there’s a part of my brain (like 97%) that is screaming “Without the learning objectives you’re just floundering!”

Floundering people, floundering.

I’m not dramatic at all.

So until I understand the learning objectives I’m taking the approach that we are meant to have some impact here, that there is some situation, some person, some lesson that brought us here. Since I don’t know what specifically that is, I’m treating everything like it’s our “reason”.

And I’ve got to say, not understanding the learning objectives is both terrifying and freeing. It gives you the freedom to believe that this might be your “thing” even if it’s something you’re… terrible at. It gives you the freedom to let go and jump in the with the hope that you haven’t missed the opportunity to make a difference, and it gives you courage that there is a place for you but your haven’t found it just quite yet. It’s also terrifying because… well the unknown is terrifying, failure is terrifying, and let’s face it learning, growing, and becoming a better version of yourself is well… terrifying.