Developing a personal learning attitude

Courtesy of T. Lipton

The “meathook” hands of a metalworking professional.

Your attitude is one of the key ingredients to success in any field, not just metalworking. Without a positive and persistent attitude, you might as well just go sit in front of the TV. The power of learning and dogged persistence cannot be overstated. Winners do what losers are unwilling to do.

We are in the middle of a unique time in history. The ability to share new ideas, information and old skills will never be better. This critical time balances between the new guard and the old. On one side, we have access to technology for sharing huge amounts of detailed information across thousands of miles and time zones in the blink of an eye. On the other side, we still have access to the people and knowledge whose shoulders we are standing on and who form the foundations of our trades.

The trades have been very good to me. Part of the responsibility a trade imposes is to pass on knowledge and skills to those willing to learn. We have all stood on the shoulders of the people we have learned from; we owe at least the payment of passing the skills on. Moreover, each successive generation should push the boundaries of their art to the next higher level.

Your attitude toward learning and your skills are your protection in modern times. No longer can you rely on having a good job for life, working for a stable company. Entire industries are being created or becoming obsolete on a daily basis. Modern skilled tradesmen have to constantly adapt and add skills to their toolkit to keep up with the pace of industry and the modern global electronic economy. Learn everything you can about everything, and learn something new every day.