A father said to his son, “I’m worried you’re the last in your grade.”

The son said, “Don’t worry, Dad, we teach the same thing on both ends.”

“Education is what is left after forgetting all that has been learned.”

My good friend Nido Qubein, member of the National Speakers Association and president of High Point University, explains the difference between education and training: An educated person is the difference between a parrot and an orator. ”

His point was that once you master a training procedure, keep repeating it as long as the task is useful. Education, on the other hand, teaches us to develop our own procedures, solve our own problems, and move on to other challenges. Education is a process that has a beginning and no end.

Nido adds: Look beyond your specific task. ”

Researchers at the Pew Charitable Trust have found that a four-year college degree can help keep young people out of low-skilled jobs with low wages and unemployment. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that college graduates earn about $1 million more over their careers than high school graduates.

Nido argues that education is more than a paycheck. he said: “Education allows you to be the best you can be in all things. Educated employees become partners. They see themselves as part of the organization. We embrace the vision and rejoice in our success.”

I’m one step ahead of Nido Kubain. School ends, but education does not. Getting an education is not a once in a lifetime experience. You have to be educated all your life. Education is the transition from darkness to light. People who can read but can’t read are the same as people who can’t read.

As you can see, I am a big believer in lifelong learning.

There is a famous story about Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., one of America’s most prominent Supreme Court justices. Holmes, who was over 90 years old and was hospitalized, was visited by President Theodore Roosevelt. When the President was ushered into his hospital room, he had Holmes reading a Greek grammar.

President Roosevelt asked, “Mr. Holmes, why are you reading about Greek grammar?”

And Holmes replied, “To improve my mind, Mr. President.” 90 …and still trying to learn something new!

Why not make continuing education a new priority?

Education is an investment, never an expense. Think of education as capital improvement. Don’t be ashamed to borrow, especially to replenish your professional inventory.

Don’t misunderstand that these terms only relate to college education. Any education, self-guided or purely a trade for change of pace, is an important part of ongoing development. Studies show that we use a very small part of our brain, so there is plenty of room to learn more. Don’t let your chances fool you.

Take courses in the classroom or online. go to seminars. Listen to education and self-improvement podcasts. Network at trade association meetings. Upgrade your skills. You can’t afford to keep what you learned in high school or college. Reinforce what you already know and pick up new material. computer. language. speak in public. write in. continue your education.

please think about it. After learning something, you can keep it forever and use it as you like. You have the ability to adapt your knowledge to different situations and apply what you learn to improve your results. Your education pays for itself many times over.

It’s really a gift. He is probably one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Be generous with yourself!

An anxious mother was asking Princeton University President Woodrow Wilson, who later became President of the United States, about what Princeton University could do for her son.

“Madam,” replied Wilson, exasperated.

McKay Morals: Education is a gift that keeps on giving.

• • •

Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With Sharks Without Eating Alive.” From his website www.harveymackay.com he may be contacted by email at harvey@mackay.com or in writing at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 .