"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
-- Winston Churchill

You don’t want to make a mistake that will take hours to fix and you don’t want

to make a mistake that will cost your company money…  But you’ll want to try

to find the answer on your own before asking.  The last thing you want your

boss to say is, “Uh, that’s on page 2 of your instruction manual.”  That would

make you look like a royal doofus – something to always be avoided at a new

job.  Don’t say I never gave you any good advice.  Avoid looking like a royal

doofus.

          It’s also totally OK to ask stupid questions in a math class because

everyone does it!  I did too!  We teachers just never let you know when you’ve

asked one. (wink) So, don’t be worried.  Ask away!  It’s only stupid when you

DON’T ask.

          Another time that you’ll need the ability to self-teach is when you are

close to the top or at the top of your profession.  This is a fantastic place to be,

but there’s no longer anyone above you to teach you what you need to know

next.  Those who make it to the top and stay there are the ones who figure out

what they need to learn next and are able to learn it on their own.  This is

especially true for someone trying to create something that’s never been done

before!

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