The Best Teacher

Throughout my time in the publishing community, I've had some unforgettable experiences--good and bad. I've written about a few of them in these entries on The Writing Life, which is one of my consistent themes.

When I've gone through some difficult or challenging experience, after it is over, I have often looked back and said to myself the common saying, "Experience is the best teacher."

In some ways, the saying is true because I've personally experienced it I will take measured steps to avoid going through that experience again. But is experience the best teacher?

Last week, I wrote about a new book, The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective by Andy Andrews. There are many valuable insights in this little book and in this entry I wanted to write about another one.

Jones, the central person in the book, is a noticer. During a difficult time in Andy Andrews' life, Jones makes a special introduction:

"'Do you read?' he asked. As I nodded, he added, 'I'm not asking if you can read, I'm asking if you do.'

'Yes,' I responded, 'Mostly magazines and stuff, but I do.'

'Good enough,' Jones said. 'Read these.'

I looked at what he handed me in the semidarkness. The titles were all names. Winston Churchill. Will Rogers. George Washington Carver. I glanced back up at him. 'History books?'

'No,' he said with a twinkle in his eye, 'adventure stories! Success, failure, romance, intrigue, tragedy, and triumph--and the best part is that every word is true! Remember, young man, experience is not the best teacher. Other people's experiences is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great.'" (page 9)

I readily identified with this section of The Noticer. Why? I've always loved biographies and read many of them. I've learned so much from each one of them. It's part of the reason that I've written magazine profiles about more than 150 bestselling authors. In the process of writing those stories, I learn massive amounts of material about their experiences.

To me, it is a partial explanation why I've written numerous biographies such as Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Luis Palau, John Perkins and many more.

Have you unlocked the secrets to greatness as you read about other people's experiences?

The Power of Observation

Between last Friday and Sunday, I spent nine hours on an airplane. That's what happens when you sign up to speak at a conference in Baltimore, Maryland and you live in the Phoenix area. Yes, I had a direct flight but any way you travel it is still 4.5 hours each way. It gives you a lot of time to work, catch up on some writing and reading while others are sleeping around you.

The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective by Andy Andrews is one of the books that I completed during the flights. Here's a quick read which could become one of the most important books that you read all year.

Andy tells about a man simply named Jones and his profound impact on his world around him through active observation. Jones doesn't just notice his world. He gets actively involved in the lives of different people that he notices--including a profound effect on Andy Andrews at a critical juncture.

When I read any book, I'm always intrigued with where they find the title for the book. Often it is early and other times it is buried deep in the book--like The Noticer when Andy describes an incident from years ago as a young man:

"Jones looked around at me and winked, then said to Jason, "I am a noticer. It is my gift. While others may be able to sing well or run fast. I notice things that other people overlook. And you know most of them are in plain sight." The old man cocked his head. "I notice things about situations and people that produce perspective. That's what most folks lack--perspective--a broader view. So I give 'em that broader view...and it allows them to regroup, take a breath, and begin their lives again." (page 130-131).

I recommend you read The Noticer but also I encourage you to follow Jones example and increase your personal power of observation and how you can impact the people around you.