"L'expérience n'instruit que les personnes instruites."

Experience teaches us only if we're open and ready to learn from it. It's not just about going through events or challenges—it's about reflecting, adapting, and growing from what happens to us. If we're stubborn or close-minded, the lessons life throws our way might bounce off us like water off a duck's back.

Consider the story of Thomas Edison. He famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison was teachable; each failed experiment was a step toward creating the lightbulb. If he had viewed each failure as just that—a failure—he wouldn't have made the breakthrough that lights our homes today. His willingness to learn from every misstep made all the difference.

Now, let's bring it down to a more personal level. Imagine you decide to start baking. The first time you try to make a cake, it turns out flat and dense. You could throw in the towel and say, "Baking isn't for me." Or, you could watch some tutorials, read up on tips, and figure out what went wrong. Maybe the oven temperature was off, or you overmixed the batter. Each time you try again, you tweak your approach. After a few attempts, you get it right. The cake rises perfectly, and it's delicious. You learned because you were open to learning.

To apply this wisdom in your life, start by embracing a growth mindset. When something doesn't go as planned, don't see it as a dead end. Ask yourself questions: What can I learn from this? How can I do better next time? Also, seek feedback from others—sometimes we’re too close to our own experiences to see them clearly. And be patient with yourself. Real learning takes time and repetition.

Think about working on a team project at your job. If your proposal gets shot down, instead of sulking or getting defensive, dig into the feedback. What were the specific criticisms? How can you address them? Maybe you need to clarify your communication or back your ideas with more data. By staying teachable, your next proposal could be the one that knocks it out of the park.

Let me share a story about my friend Mark. Mark was terrible at public speaking. His first presentation at work was a disaster—he stumbled over his words, lost his place, and felt humiliated. Instead of deciding he was just bad at it, he joined a local Toastmasters club. He practiced speaking in front of others, welcomed constructive criticism, and slowly but surely improved. A year later, he was giving confident presentations that impressed his colleagues. Mark's openness to learning turned a weakness into a strength.

In the end, being teachable means seeing every experience as an opportunity. It's not about avoiding mistakes—it's about what you do after them. So, next time life throws you a curveball, catch it and see what you can learn. This mindset can transform your challenges into stepping stones for growth.