Well, not literally! What we mean by ‘steal from everyone’ is get ideas and learn from EVERYONE. (Emphasis on the word everyone!)

In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, we learn about the importance of learning in and out of a classroom. Sometimes, when we set our goals and lay down our paths we’ll walk on, we refuse to see the benefits of having to explore other paths. The truth is, there are many things you can learn from other fields, from everyone. Don’t be a snub. Diversions are fine, as long as we gain recent knowledge. Neil also discusses on how you can strengthen your tutor-student relationships, so tune in!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Learning doesn’t stop once you leave formal education. This should be the time you become intentional in looking for ways to widen your knowledge more and broaden your skill set. Since there’s a chance you’ll stagnate or even forget all you’ve studied about.
  • You should also see this as an opportunity to explore things outside of your field. Take guitar lessons, for instance.
• When Neil teaches, he notes all his students’ opinions, feedback, or critiques. Some may feel offended. But learning is a two-way process—a tutor must not be threatened by such. Why dismiss an idea that can improve your (teacher-student) relationship and yourself too?
• There are things outside your field/industry that may also help you advance in your own career.
  • For example, for guitar tutors, a little knowledge on kinesiology, human behaviour, or even storytelling can make an enormous difference. The dynamics inside the classroom will change.
• Always aim to be better than who you are today. Keep progressing. Make use of the resources and tools—podcasts, books, workshops, and so on. There will always be something new you’ll learn once you utilise those.
  • Theories, ideas, views, etc. are also changing. You need to be updated.

BEST MOMENTS

• “Nobody has a monopoly on knowledge.”
• “The wider my view is for my world, the more I can look around for useful knowledge and insights bring back to what I’m doing.”
• “We know what we know, but we don’t know what we don’t know.”
• “Basically, I just know my stuff. As far as I know, for my students, it makes me much more credible and more valuable in their eyes.”
• “I tell my students, ‘Everything you learn from me will ripple out to all aspects of your life.’”
• “Learn more, earn more!”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Listen to The Tutor Podcast on iTunes (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tutor-podcast/id1369191372)!
• Read the Weird Things Guitarists Do book by Neil Cowmeadow which is available now on Amazon. Link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weird-Things-Guitarists-Do-Misconceptions/dp/1519026579/

Contact Neil via this website - NeilCowmeadow.com!

ABOUT THE HOST

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

CONTACT METHOD

[email protected]