— Vernon Sanders Law
Insights on Today's Quote
Lessons learned through experience hit different. They stick. Why? Because the stakes are high, and the cringe-worthy moments of failing that “test” haunt you just enough to make you do better next time. You never forget the lesson after getting metaphorically slapped in the face by reality.
Funny thing is, we usually hate Experience in the moment. “Why me?” we cry, shaking our fists at the heavens. But later, we look back with gratitude—or at least grudging respect. Every awkward stumble, every uncomfortable moment, adds up to a story we laugh about or wisdom we pass on, pretending we always had it together.
So, cheers to Experience: the merciless teacher we never wanted but desperately needed. She might be rough around the edges, but she’s the one who gets us where we’re going—eventually.
Step Up to the Challenge
The “Dive In and Reflect” Challenge
Pick a New Experience: Identify something you’ve been avoiding or procrastinating on because it feels overwhelming or uncertain—like starting a new hobby, tackling a difficult conversation, or volunteering for a leadership role at work.
Jump Without a Safety Net: Commit to doing it without over-preparing or waiting for the “perfect” moment. Approach it with the understanding that you’ll likely make mistakes and that’s part of the process.
Journal the ‘Test’ Moment: Afterward, write down everything that happened. Be brutally honest about what went well, what didn’t, and how it made you feel.
Extract the Lesson: Reflect on what the experience taught you. What would you do differently next time? What skills, insights, or resilience did you gain from just doing the thing?
Repeat and Build: Each week for a month, tackle one new “hard teacher” experience. By the end, compare your reflections and notice how much more confident or prepared you feel for future “tests.”
This challenge forces you to embrace the discomfort of learning by doing, living the essence of the quote. Let the lessons come naturally, even if the tests feel a bit brutal!
Today's Quote Visualized
