Living Moments (Part 37) – I Teach. Therefore, I Am.

My mission trip to Kazakhstan was predominantly to provide educational services. I felt called to be involved in offering advisory services, mentorship, coaching, training, and guidance….

In the past, I was involved in supporting humanitarian missions to build houses, roads, toilets and wells. It also involved providing medical and dental services.

In recent times, I have focused my effort on training and developing people. If I teach my clients well, it is like teaching them how to fish as opposed to giving them a fish.

It is a more sustainable way to help them achieve better outcomes in life.

For my mission trips, I like to teach about leadership and entrepreneurship.

I believe that all great organisations depend on great leadership and great teamwork.

If I can help my clients bring out the best in themselves and raise their leadership skills to a higher level, they will be able to improve their quality and standards of living.

They will be in a better position to help their community and country.

In addition, if I teach them about entrepreneurship, they will be able to provide for themselves. They can increase their resources to advance their achievements and results.

In my sessions, whether it is in a personal or group setting, I endeavour to engage their heart, soul and mind. I want to help them cultivate practical knowledge and relevant skills.

In addition, I aim to teach them about not just how to learn but also to learn how to learn.

I do not want it to be just a teacher-centric or lesson-oriented programme but a catalyst to help them discover that our Creator has placed tremendous amount of wisdom out there. They can readily tap on it.

I hope to inspire them to pursue wisdom. I like to empower them to acquire learning resources and learn on their own.

I therefore use a hands-on and practical approach.

I help them to discover and internalise key learning lessons through case studies, role plays, and other structured exercises.

I use music, singing, colours, drawings, stories, and anything that can help me illustrate and support the learning experience. I enjoy turning my sessions into somewhat of a rock concert-type experience.

I want to engage them through their five senses. I want to deliver the lessons in the most interesting, exciting and appealing way.

I want them to laugh and have lots of fun. I believe the more they enjoy themselves, the more they will desire to learn and the more they will remember the lessons.

It is my hope that at the end of the class, they will feel that they have learned on their own. It will be the start of a lifelong learning journey.

I see my role as one of a servant – helping them find ways to meet their needs, present and future. I want to help them open doors to a life of infinite opportunities and possibilities.

Along the way, I hope to be like a signpost, showing them the ways to reach different destinations. If possible, I like to walk beside and behind them, playing the role of a cheerleader, and even a water boy to rejuvenate them for the next leg of the journey.

A long time ago, I realised my calling is be a Number 2. When I can help to produce heroes and heroines for society, it gives me immense satisfaction.

I also realised that oftentimes, my students teach me more than I can ever teach them. The more I share with them, the more blessed I become.

That’s why for me, training is a humbling experience.

I have always felt that I do not know the subject material well enough and there is so much more out there for me to learn, and so much room to grow and achieve better results.

I have a way of closing the sessions which is fun but more importantly, it is my way of flagging the clients off to run and hopefully, fly in life.

I ask them to close their eyes.

I may lead them on an imagineering exercise. I may ask them to reflect about the lessons or whatever is appropriate.

At the right moment, I will pass the mike to one of their leaders to close the session. I will then take my leave.

When they open their eyes, I have ‘disappeared’.

I will leave with a grateful heart because I have always felt I have learned so much from them. I am thankful to our Creator for every of such experience.

When I reflect on my time with them, I will continue to uncover gems of wisdom that I have learned from them. They open new doors of opportunities and possibilities for me.

I can start running again.

Sometimes, I fly.

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com/

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com/

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!