How Traditional Education Stole Our Enthusiasm for Paying Attention

Growing up in school, I often found myself gazing out the window, daydreaming instead of focusing on lessons. The world outside seemed far more intriguing than the structured environment within four walls. My teachers constantly scolded me for not paying attention, but the truth was, I was paying attention—just not to what they expected.

Then, when I entered the workforce, everything changed. I became fully engaged, eager to learn, improve, and embrace challenges. While others complained about the difficulties of their jobs, I thrived. I never understood why they dreaded their work, especially when compared to school, which had felt rigid and uninspiring.

Traditional education often emphasizes memorization and structured understanding from books, but I discovered that I learn best through doing rather than simply remembering. And that made all the difference.

Over time, I noticed a pattern: Many people, despite earning degrees and finishing school, lose their enthusiasm for learning when they start working. They seek comfort in easy tasks, avoiding challenges, while I find joy in overcoming obstacles. It seems that the rigorous demands of school drain people's ability to stay engaged, making them exhausted by the time they enter the real world.

Perhaps schools, in their effort to instill discipline, unintentionally rob students of their natural curiosity, leaving them disconnected from the excitement of learning and growing. But for those of us who learn through experience, life remains an adventure—full of lessons, challenges, and opportunities to thrive.

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