THE STORM Chapter 10: Do the Work
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.” – William Butler Yeats
Why This Matters: Chapter 10, “Do the Work!,” delves into the themes of self-improvement, learning from history, and the value of hard work. Granddaddy’s insights, inspired by his approach to self-directed learning, Cicero’s timeless wisdom, and the concept of extraordinary effort, challenge readers to take charge of their education and pursue personal growth. The chapter emphasizes the need for individuals to go beyond ordinary expectations to achieve remarkable success.
Essential Question for Readers: “How can the principles of self-directed learning, understanding history as stories of individuals, and the concept of extraordinary effort guide our journey of personal development and shape our pursuit of excellence?”
Chapter Summary
Chapter 10 of “Do the Work!” centers on a conversation between Dakota and Granddaddy, exploring the themes of self-improvement, learning from history, and the value of hard work.
The chapter begins with Dakota expressing admiration for Granddaddy’s wealth of knowledge and questioning how he retains so much information about various subjects. Granddaddy attributes his knowledge to a combination of age, curiosity, and self-directed learning. He shares his approach of reading about topics that interest him, citing Cicero’s quote about gratitude as an example of timeless wisdom discovered through his own exploration.
Granddaddy reflects on the limitations of traditional history education, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical figures as people with stories rather than mere facts and dates. He urges Dakota to consider the challenges and triumphs of historical figures, drawing parallels between their experiences and those of contemporary individuals.
The conversation shifts to the challenges faced by teachers and the shortcomings of the educational system. Granddaddy encourages Dakota to take charge of his own learning by delving deeper into the lives of remarkable individuals mentioned in textbooks. He suggests using the internet to explore the stories of historical figures, highlighting the potential for inspiration and personal growth through such endeavors.
Granddaddy introduces the concept of extraordinary effort leading to extraordinary futures, emphasizing the need for individuals to go beyond ordinary expectations to achieve remarkable success. He relates the idea to the Roman era, discussing the potential advantages people of that time had due to the absence of modern distractions like smartphones and social media.
The chapter concludes with Granddaddy challenging Dakota to assess how he spends his time, particularly in activities like playing video games. Granddaddy encourages him to believe in the availability of extra minutes and to consider the long-term benefits of investing time in self-improvement. The discussion inspires Dakota to question whether his current efforts are sufficient and whether he can do more to build an extraordinary future.
Chapter 10 serves as a motivational dialogue, pushing Dakota to reflect on his goals, time management, and the concept of “Kaizen,” an idea introduced earlier in the book. The chapter sets the stage for Dakota’s continued journey of personal development and the pursuit of excellence.
Resources:
*Believe in Yourself and Go to Work blog/vlog: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/believe-in-yourself-and-go-to-work/
*Believe in Yourself and Go to Work video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6krYL_314NA
Reflection/Journaling: Reflect on your approach to learning and self-improvement. Consider Granddaddy’s perspective on self-directed learning and the importance of understanding history as stories of individuals. Have you explored topics that genuinely interest you outside of formal education? How can you incorporate the concept of extraordinary effort into your personal development journey?
Goals:
- Identify a subject or topic that genuinely interests you but is not covered in your formal education. Set a goal to explore this topic through self-directed learning, utilizing resources like books, online articles, or documentaries.
- Reflect on historical figures mentioned in textbooks and consider researching their life stories beyond the basic facts. Set a goal to uncover the challenges and triumphs of these individuals, drawing inspiration from their experiences.
- Assess your current use of time, especially in activities like playing video games. Set a goal to reallocate some of that time toward activities that contribute to your personal development and long-term goals.
Next Steps:
- Begin your self-directed learning journey by choosing a book, online course, or other resources related to the topic you identified. Make a schedule to dedicate specific time to this pursuit regularly.
- Explore the stories of historical figures mentioned in your textbooks. Use online resources to deepen your understanding of their lives and the lessons that can be drawn from their experiences.
- Track and analyze how you spend your time, particularly in leisure activities. Gradually reallocate some of that time to activities that align with your personal development goals. Start with small adjustments and gradually increase your commitment.
Remember, the principles of self-directed learning, understanding history as stories, and putting in extraordinary effort can shape your journey of personal development. Use these reflections and goals to take charge of your education and pursue excellence in your endeavors.
Dan Blanchard is a bestselling and award-winning author, speaker, educator, TV Host, and philanthropist.
*Learn more about Dan: www.GranddaddysSecrets.com
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*Watch Dan’s TEDx Talk, Breaking Free from Routine: How to Live a More Exciting Life