Be Wise and Use Your Freedom of Thought
What do you think most employers look for as they search for employees? I believe most employers look for people who can learn, problem-solve, and get results.
I have facilitated many career employment fairs where I had the opportunity to talk with many organizational leaders and human resources specialists. Overwhelmingly, they endorsed my belief. They wanted to recruit people who could solve problems and think. Becoming a skilled problem solver takes effort and knowledge that you have the freedom to learn.
People do not just become problem solvers. The skill comes from experiencing and overcoming problems. Successful people know the challenges will come their way, and they have the freedom to learn from their decisions and better themselves for the next crisis.
Young people may not have the same challenges as adults, but they can always fine-tune their decision-making and problem-solving skills. Adults are usually very aware of how important it is to learn the process of problem-solving. Youth and adults have something in common - they have the freedom to make choices about learning.
Benjamin Franklin said, “without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom.” People who value freedom do not waste opportunities.
Some people are engaged in bettering themselves by improving their thinking skills. They do not take freedom for granted. They are constantly looking for ways to improve through learning activities: reading, studying, experiencing team and leadership activities, taking advantage of learning in the classroom setting, working with a mentor, and more.
Others might not be aware that they have the freedom to practice and improve their thinking skills. Instead of improving their minds, this type of person becomes engaged in unimportant activities such as excessive entertainment: social media, computer games, online streaming videos, movies, and reality shows. Those involved in excess entertainment are not taking advantage of their freedom and the opportunity to become wise.
I mentor a group of youth who get good school grades and participate in various activities. This takes effort and time. Sometimes they look exhausted, but they push forward with the learning. Their parents support them. They seem to be able to balance school, extracurricular activities, and entertainment. I believe that their efforts will pay off as they choose careers or college.
Unfortunately, some people do not use their freedom to be lifelong learners. They are not proactive thinkers. Fewer opportunities will be available for those who do not constantly look for ways to improve their thinking skills.
Just as we need to stay physically fit to be healthy, we need to work our brains. In America, we have the freedom to think freely. Take advantage of your freedom to improve your thinking. Find ways to keep learning and stimulate your brain. Do not take your freedom for granted.
Martial Arts Perspective:
Our students participate in a character-building learning opportunity. To become proficient, they learn that martial arts training involves more than physical training.
At Delaware Hapkido Martial Arts Academy, we want our students to be leaders. Leadership requires freedom of thought. Martial arts students who participate in our academy gain the confidence not to follow the crowd. They had the freedom to choose.
Questions:
If you went to a career employment fair or had a chance to interview a local business leader, what questions could you ask about what they are looking for in an employee? Write down at least three questions and move forward with the interview.
Think of a time when you had to solve a problem. Based on that experience, how would you evaluate the process you used? What would you change? What would you keep the same?
Consider the time that you control during the week. How are you using your time? What judgment would you make about your use of time?
Benjamin Franklin said, “without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom.” How could you lose your freedom of thought?
