In Praise of Higher Learning

OK, I confess ... I'm a nerd! All my life I have enjoyed the process of learning. I remember in public school,  the last day of each school year  - I would hang around the classroom helping to clean up the blackboards for the last time, crying, wondering what I would do all summer until school was back in.  When the school was locked and they finally sent me home, I would run to the basement of our semi-detached home across the street and set up my own classroom. Well, if I couldn't be a student for the next three months, then I would be a teacher - my sisters and other neighbourhood kids would be my unwitting and unruly students!

In my spare time, I would go to the library, picking out books for myself and my 'students'. And I would spend hours reading and writing in solitude.  Learning was a passion - a labour of love for me.

Throughout my life, I have continued to be excited about learning new things. Information empowers me - it gives me wisdom that I can put to work, and share with others. Learning gives me confidence - it provides a competitive edge. Knowledge makes me humble - the more I learn, the more I understand how little I really know and how very much there is still to discover.

There has never been a time in history when learning has been so fashionable and so available. We are truly blessed to live in a time when the information highway literally comes through our own living-rooms, when mentors and facilitators are abundant and workshops both in-class and on-line are relatively inexpensive, accessible and of a high quality.

I am excited about the opportunity that I get from time to time to take some professional development courses. I can feel the 'nerd' juices stirring again - there's something about a classroom that still does it for me. And I am excited for my clients because, ultimately, that's who really gains.  The better I do my job, the better they will be able to do theirs.  And that is true for all of us!

What can you learn in the coming months and years that would benefit you and maybe your customers?  Learning is a life-long pursuit. When we stop learning, we stop growing. Make continuing education a part of your business plan this year - and not only will you grow, but so will your business!

Terri Plaxton Smith, Greater Barrie Business Enterprise Centre
Contact Infromation: (705) 720-2445 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it