Competence: A Lesson from the Fair

Dear friends, today I’d like to share a story from my youth, a story that taught me the importance of competence. This tale takes us back to a time when I was just a young lad, eager to explore the world and its wonders. Our setting? The bustling, vibrant local fair.

The Excitement of the Fair

As a boy, the fair was a magical place. The air was filled with the sweet scent of cotton candy and popcorn, the cheerful music from the carousel, and the excited chatter of children. But what caught my attention the most were the game stalls. I was particularly drawn to one game – the ring toss.

The Ring Toss Challenge

The ring toss was a simple game. You had to throw a small ring onto the neck of a bottle. It seemed easy enough, but as I soon discovered, it required a great deal of skill and precision. I was determined to win, but despite my best efforts, I kept missing the target.

The Lesson Learned

After several failed attempts, I was ready to give up. But then, an old man running the stall offered me some advice. He said, “Young man, it’s not about strength, it’s about technique. Watch the ring, not the bottle. Aim for the ring to land flat, not at an angle.” I took his advice to heart and tried again. This time, I succeeded.

Competence: More Than Just Skill

That day, I learned a valuable lesson about competence. It’s not just about having skills or knowledge. It’s about knowing how to apply them effectively. It’s about understanding the task at hand, analyzing the situation, and making the right decisions. It’s about learning from your mistakes and never giving up.

So, my dear friends, remember this: competence is a journey, not a destination. It’s about continuous learning and improvement. It’s about striving to be better today than you were yesterday. And most importantly, it’s about having the courage to take on challenges, even when they seem impossible.

Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep striving for competence.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev