Learning never ends for the individual who knows life is more than living for self. In the words of Albert Einstein “Once you stop learning, you start dying!” It’s becoming so common to see and meet people who perceive progressive study as a burden a selected few should carry on. Education is not all about attending the four corners of a University alone but rather getting relevant knowledge that transforms your mind to cause positive change and bring innovation to what you do.
Now that makes you understand why many [not all] dynamic companies were founded by individuals who never had formal educational training. And those who had formal educational training just end-up working in such companies. This is because the founders of those companies understood most often than not that education goes beyond the borders of a formal setting; you could get educated on the streets [by streets I mean in your line of work from unlikely sources], on the job [for the venturing entrepreneurs] and anywhere [for the open minded].
This article is to spur minds to begin to think differently about the positives of getting an education not just going to school. Going to school is one thing, getting an education is another.
One thing is certain – you can be in school and not be schooled!
Let me quickly say that if you only have a job without progressive education, you could lose that job and be stranded. But if you have an education you could create jobs for many! That been said, I individuals I would have loved to share their story with you but I have chosen Shaquille O’Neal for today. Others would follow subsequently.
On Shaquille O’Neal
When Shaquille O’neal was drafted into the NBA, he spent the first million that he earned within 30 minutes. O’neal then received a phone call from his banker, who scolded him, and told him that he would end up joining the list of former athletes who ended up broke if the current trend continued.
O’neal decided to sharpen up his education on business and finance. He returned to college, completing his Bachelor’s degree, followed by his M.B.A, and lastly, his Ed.D. That’s right, he is now Dr. Shaquille O’neal.
As of today, Shaq is the joint owner of 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants, 17 Auntie Annie’s Pretzels restaurants, 150 car washes, 40 24-hour fitness centers, a shopping center, a movie theater, and several Las Vegas nightclubs.
In addition to his business holdings, O’neal still earns $22 million per year (roughly $423,000 per week) from his endorsement deals with Arizona Creme soda, Icy Hot, Gold Bond, Buick, Zales, and at least a half dozen additional corporate sponsors. He is also a studio analyst for TNT.
In Shaq’s own words, “It is not about how much money you make. The question is are you educated enough to KEEP it.”
I don’t have much to say again, at least for now. Let me note here that schooling is good only when you are rightly educated in the process.
So that been said, stay schooled, stay less but stay educated and stay blessed!