From my experience lately, I'll say growth can be subtle. You won't know how far you've improved until you pause and reflect. Then you'll realize you've made much progress personally.
To begin with, I’ve always considered myself to be smart. In fact, I still do. However, being smart was quite challenging for me especially when dealing with people who don’t understand things as quickly as I expect. It’s not pride or arrogance. It’s just a reality I’ve faced.
There was a time when I found it hard to tolerate other's who didn’t grasp concepts as quickly as I did. I would internally cringe when someone didn’t immediately understand something I considered simple. It used to feel like hell although I never openly reacted or belittled anyone, the frustration was still there. By the second or third round of explaining, I would be fuming within me asking What's so hard about this? Or why are they not getting it?
After a while, I chose to withdraw. Instead of offering a third or fourth explanation, I would stay quiet and act as if I didn’t know the answer myself. But that didn't fix the inner battles. Hehehe... I would be so mad inside, feeling as though I was wasting my time, like their slower pace took something from me.
When I got into my teaching career, I sensed this was where everything began to shift. Teaching students day in and day out, I quickly learned a profound lesson - everyone processes information differently. It’s not about intelligence or speed, it's about how people learn. Just because someone takes longer to understand doesn’t mean they are incapable or dumb. In fact, slow learners often excel in the long run because they take the time to truly grasp concepts at a deeper level than a fast learner.
This was a revelation for me. It challenged my old mindset, forcing me to forgo my impatience and frustration. This change didn't happen overnight, but gradually. I began to appreciate the diversity in how people learn. I came to understand that my students and people in general weren’t supposed to learn at my pace or in my way. They needed the freedom to navigate their own learning paths, and my job was to guide them, not rush them.
I know you might ask if I wasn't taught in school. Of course I was taught about the diverse learning pace but I didn't get enough time to explore what I learnt theoretically even during teaching practice because all I wanted was a good grade.
Interestingly, I didn’t realize how much I had changed until I stepped outside the classroom. After resigning from my teaching position for a while, I've been in positions where I had to explain things to others and this time, it was different. I wasn’t frustrated or fuming inside. I was surprisingly patient. I no longer assume what people should know. I was more than willing to go over things as many times as necessary.
I found myself enjoying the process of sharing knowledge, and instead of feeling drained by repeated explanations, I was energized. The most exciting part is how I expect questions even after I've explained repeatedly. I even feel a little disappointed when no questions are asked.
This shift in perspective feels like one of the biggest signs of personal growth for me. I now take joy in explaining things, no matter how long it takes. Each opportunity to teach or share feels like a gift, and I no longer see myself as the all-knowing one. I’ve embraced the fact that learning is two edged, there’s always something I can learn from others, no matter their pace.
If this isn’t growth, I don’t know what is. I'm thrilled to see how far I’ve come, to recognize that I’ve developed the patience to see others as they are, without imposing my own ways on them. I’ve learned that our levels of comprehension differ, and that’s not a problem. The beauty lies in the process of learning together, at our own pace, in our own time.
So, here I am, appreciating this journey of growth. It’s been eye-opening, humbling, and fulfilling. I've learnt one thing through all of this, it’s that patience truly is a virtue and I’m proud to say I’m still growing.
Cheers 🥂 to more growth.
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