Dr. George S. Chua l January 4, 2024 l Manila Bulletin
As we start 2024, we are all aspiring to have a better year than last year and this will only be possible if we make a conscious effort for self-improvement. Over the years I have come to realize that there are a number of simple ways to improve yourself. These are acquiring basic knowledge, asking the right people, observation and probably the most important is learning from your mistakes.
We all acquire some basic knowledge, as a baby we learn the most fundamental skills of learning how to eat, walk, talk and interacting with other people. Whenever a baby cries they normally get what they want and when they look at you with those big beautiful eyes and put on the charm, they always get what they want.
Then the basic knowledge continues with decades of formal education from grade school, high school, college, masters and doctorate degrees depending on your family’s financial situation and your inclination. Even when you are out of school, the basic knowledge is available on the internet that will teach you everything from fixing a leaky faucet to building your own house! There are a number of other ways to acquire basic knowledge such as attending vocational school, workshops, seminars and reading books.
Asking the right people is also a popular way to self-improvement. However, do note that the operative word here is “right” If you have a medical problem, you would want to consult with a licensed physician. Similarly, if you have a legal issue, you need to consult with a practicing lawyer. Not only should the one you are consulting be competent but they must also be willing to assist you and trustworthy. Sometimes when you ask the wrong person, the information given to you is incomplete, inaccurate or worse, even wrong!
Observation is quite common in nature and even animals learn by observing the behavior of others. As an example in a formal dinner, I sometimes find myself following the lead of the more sophisticated guests! Sometimes, when we observe how things are done, we also try to understand the underlying reasons for such actions further deepening our journey of self-improvement. We do this all the time, I am sure you have come across a different coffee machine at the breakfast buffet in a hotel you are staying in and you casually wait for someone to operate the machine to get their cup of coffee!
Learning from your mistakes is the best way to self-improvement, assuming the mistake you made was not grave enough to prevent you from trying again! Sometimes you end up trusting someone that is not worthy of that trust and it causes you so much trouble and even losing your hard earned money. I don’t think you will make that same kind of mistake again. When the instructions are not too clear, we end up improvising and making some trial and error until we get it right. A child might be curious enough to stick a knife in an electrical outlet and assuming he did not stick two knives in each hole, he would learn from that mistake and not attempt to do it again.
I would like to wish all of you a Prosperous New Year and I hope you never give up on self- improvement!
*** (The views and comments of the author are his own and not of the newspaper or FINEX. Dr. George S. Chua was 2016 FINEX President, 2010 to 2020 FPI President, an active entrepreneur, a regular member of the National Press Club, Chairman of Alabang Country Club, a Professorial Lecturer 2 at UP Diliman and BGC, and loves playing golf. Comments may be sent to georgechuaph@yahoo.com)