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Structure isn’t really my strong suit.
But, I’ve found that it is indispensable when it comes to coming up with and executing a workshop.
In this short video, part of my course on ‘Start Teaching Your Workshop Without Worry’, I talk about this and what to focus on.
When I was a kid, at different points in time, I wanted to be a Cook (I didn't know the word Chef), a Librarian, and a Scientist (specifically, an Entomologist, one who studies insects).
Perhaps as a way of fulfilling at least one of them, I would stay in the kitchen to watch my mum cook. Though I didn't take notes or ask a lot of questions, I still remember and use a lot of the techniques she used.
Being a Librarian is still somewhat appealing to me, though I can't say I'm going to be great with putting books back on the shelves. I've always been a messy reader, with my books all over the place.
I almost never put them back in my book cabinets (yes, plural) until I'm sure I won't be reading them for a while, or forced to do so. I suspect I'll have trouble maintaining a neat library.
And, although I liked observing insects, especially praying mantises, I didn't want to touch them. I've recently learned that it's because I've always had sensory issues.
So, a career of studying something I cannot touch is a bit... Difficult.
Oh, the picture attached is of one individual of a couple of colonies of mantises I found in East Coast Park, where I go on Photo Hunts. I go back and check on them about once a week or so. This one is about 2 months old.
Today, I'm an Educator, Consultant, and Workshop Wrangler.
I would never have imagined as a kid that I'd be here. And yet, this has been my work for over 15 years.
Funny, isn't it, where life takes you?
There's a fine line between an expert and a know-it-all.
The know-it-alls are at the pinnacle of knowledge, not only in their fields, but in a huge variety of others. Hence, they no longer have to receive anything from anyone, anymore.
This may only be happening in their head, but it certainly shows itself in the way they interact with other people.
Experts, on the other hand, may be close to the pinnacle of knowledge in their fields, but they know that they have more to learn, and don't pretend to be experts in fields they are unfamiliar with.
It's easy to slip over, just like when you're colouring a picture and you press on your crayon a little too hard along the edges of the lines.
Fortunately, unlike crayon colouring, it's very possible to come back over the line.
A person's expertise doesn't have to be money-making.
A useful example is found in the compliments many Asians give to friends / relatives who are good cooks.
"Oh, your dish is so good. You should open a restaurant. I'm sure you'll get a lot of business. I'll definitely come and support."
Yes, it isn't meant to be taken literally. Even so, the way that being good at something is so quickly associated with money shows what is valued - and it certainly isn't the expertise itself.
Which is a great pity, isn't it?
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