I am sure that like me you might have also at some point in life heard the comment “don’t be such a child”. In general, understanding, being a child means being naïve or immature or innocent. Thus, as age progresses and we grow from being a child to being an adult, we are supposed to be more sophisticated, more mature and sharper.
Although the general notion about being a kid is right and it is also a fact that we all have to grow up eventually and take on different responsibilities and see the world from a different perspective. However, still, there are good things in children, which adults need to learn from them. In the lines below I shall discuss with you what adults can and must learn for children in order to make their life better and more successful.
Perfection:
The other great thing about kids is that they always think and dream perfectly. To them, the world is like a utopia where everything is possible. Besides the fact that a utopian world of kids is not applicable or adaptable in real life, but their perfection has another lesson for adults, which is that if you aim for something perfect eventually you end up with something good. This is a true fact of life that if you have to reach the roof you have to set the aim for the sky. Thus, adults can learn the idea of dreaming something perfect, which when implemented in the real world would give something of good use. For instance, if you dream like a child to eliminate poverty from the world, then you might succeed in eliminating it from your country, state, city or if nothing works then at least you will be able to make your neighborhood poverty-free. Hence, the sense of having everything perfect and of ideal quality is another thing that adults need to learn from kids.
Irrational:
Have you ever had the feeling where you wanted to do something, which others would call, stupid? Children always do that because they don’t have the kind of constraints and limitations that we have. On the basis of that kids are able to sometimes say the wisest of things or do the funniest of things that elate your heart and mind. So as an adult we must also try to be irrational sometimes because being irrational frees your mind from all the constraints and limitations and for a while, everything seems possible. Moreover, it also helps relieve whatever burden you are carrying in your mind or heart. Therefore, whether it’s playing with your kids, sitting with friends or just alone in the park try doing things the irrational way, you won’t do them right but you’ll definitely know one way of not doing particular things.
Sincerity:
Perhaps the greatest thing that we the adults of today can learn from children is sincerity. In their thought and action children are sincere and they always wish good and happiness for everyone. The reason why we are losing connection with people has no one to share our sorrows with and have very limited people to celebrate our happiness is the fact that we are not sincere with each other. On the other hand, children are sincere in the first place and they reciprocate sincerity with sincerity. Therefore, the essence of childhood is sincerity which we all lose with exposure to the world and bad experiences, hence the need is to learn sincerity and reciprocating it with sincerity from children so that we could value each other and help each other build a cooperative and caring society.
Now it’s Your Turn!
What quality of your childhood do you value the most? How has it changed? Which quality of the children would you like to have as an adult? Feel free to share your comments below!
P.S. Want to make money online?
Hi Nate – That was very inspiring and full of learning 🙂
Thanks Amritt!
Hi Nate,
Wow is a good thing to find some one who thinks like me. I always apply all the three points on your article. Even thou most of my friends think is strange. It was nice reading your article. I’ll be back soon!
Right on! Thanks Andrew!
I believe everyone needs to find their inner child and be more childlike at times. Wouldn’t it be a better world if adults were non judgemental like young children. We weren’t born racist or homophobic.
Well said, Jackie. Thank you. 🙂
Hi Nate,
Even today, I’ve heard the word “Don’t be such a child” from my friend during our chat. I agree with your ways to learn things from child. We can learn “Not to give up trying something” from children as they are persistent in their funny work.
Thanks Sriram!
Hi Nate,
Reading your article is pretty inspiring that everyone can relate on. I can say, Happy to see more articles from you Nate.
Thank you Gemmina!
Hello nate,
You are absolutely right about everything you’ve mentioned in the post, adults can learn a lot of things from children first thing is never give up on things.
Thanks
You’re welcome Vicky!
You hit the nail on the head Nate. I think as we get older we are instilled with what being an adult it, so we distance ourselves from our childhood way of thinking. Then we become to serious and demanding and wonder why our lives end up the way that they do with little happiness. I say take a dive back in the past and incorporate some of your childhood ways of thinking in your adulthood. 🙂
That’s a great suggestion Krystle! 🙂
I love this, as it is so true! I would add imagination to this list…somehow we lose the magic when we get older!
Deanna, this is so similar to your post today 🙂
Hi Deanna,
Sometimes if we’re not careful, it can slip away. 🙂
Wonderful post Nate. One of the qualities that I love about my son that I wish I could have is his charisma. He gets it from his dad lol I wish I wasn’t shy around people. Also he LOVES asking questions and doesn’t take “i don’t know” for an answer! This though can be quite tiring at time but at the end he got the answers he was seeking.
Thank you for sharing that Marielle!
Great post Nate, and oh so right!
Kids see the world as exciting, a place to learn, with no real preconceptions of what will hold them back!
Unfortunately, as Adults, our inner voice has been trained to tell us our limitations and what’s reasonable and expected…
Lets go play in the rain, dream, and have fun again, and unlock our potential!
Let’s make it happen! Thanks Jon!
I miss the innocence of childhood and the no fear approach to everyday life. A very interesting and insightful blog.
Thanks Anita!
Hi Nate,
Excellent post. I think I love the way a child will come up with an idea and not “think it to death” before trying. As adults, I think (I know) we over-think and most of the time end up not even trying.
To each of us to start bringing out the child in all of us.
Have a great day. Monna
Thank you! You as well Monna!
Such good thoughts, Nate. I love your observations about kids being sincere. This is so true. They know no other way of being and it is something we adults can certain emulate. Thanks for a great post.
Thank you Rochelle! I appreciate your comments!
Fun and relevant post – and yes aiming for what we want it key – being persistent and consistent leads us there! 🙂
Yes! I agree. 🙂
Awesome post here Nate!! Tons of value! Thank you for sharing 🙂
You betcha! 🙂
Hi Nate,
These are all such wonderful messages that children can teach us in business.
Children can also teach us to relax, settle down and “play” a little more. Playing rejuvenates our spirit and gives us “passion” for life. Taking some time out to engage in fun filled activities is a good way to help us hard working individuals recharge our batteries so that we can come back to work feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Great article!!
Healthy blessings,
Gena
Thank you Gena! I’m glad you got value out of today’s message. 🙂
You are right, kids do dream and think everything is perfect.. when they get older they fund out that it is not what they thought..
Thank you! 🙂
Nate – Great post. Children can teach so much.
Curiosity – being interested in something and want to understand it. To know how it works.
Creativity – making something out of nothing. Looking at the world from a different angle.
Laughter – the ability to laugh openly and commit to the laugh.
Wonder – the sense of awe they have when they learn something new.
Thanks for making my mind work. 🙂
Great post.
Hi Heather,
Love your comments! Thank you! 🙂
I think imagination is a great quality to have as a kid and even in
adulthood. Imagination as a child leads to creativity as an adult which can be very helpful. Thank you for sharing.
No problem Cindy!
Sincerity! I love that…seems to have gotten lost lately.
You’re not the only one. Many of us have. 🙂
Honestly…They can be so brutality honest on their opinions. I laugh thinking about what mine said when they were little…just curious.
They can be Jim!
I love love and love what Heather added…couldn’t have said it better!
What she said was very true! 🙂
I value imagination and creativity and not being afraid of being unique. Also having childlike faith in going after your dreams. It’s sad that we outgrow these things
I would say that it’s safe to say it all depends on your perspective. We may outgrow certain things, while others still allows us to be “young”. 🙂
All that you say in this post is so true. I remember the saying that through the eyes of a child all things are possible. We as adults put such limits on ourselves because we are afraid of what others will say or think. But to a child they could care less, they just do and take whatever comes out of it. Great post. Thanks for sharing Nate..
You’re welcome Irene!
The quality most children have that I believe adults should harness more is being direct. Children tend to say what they mean and mean what they say. As a result you know that the person is being their genuine and authentic self. While at times discretion is necessary for the most part being authentic in this fashion gives you the opportunity to build relationships built on respect because people always know where you stand.
Very true Shanique! Thank you for the comments!
What a great idea for a blog post, Nate! It’s true that as children (most of us) were a lot more carefree, curious, and excited about possibilities, with no fear of anyone telling us it was impossible. It’s sad that as we grow up we’re taught that some of those things are silly, that we need to ‘get serious’, and all that somber stuff. I’ve been trying to add more fun in my life lately, so this post is timely, and I thank you for that. Peace
You’re welcome Jeanne! Glad it helped!
Children are the closest things to God. They are innocent and loving. My kiddies teach me so much every single day.
Right on Yvonne!
Children are truly such an inspiration to me. Their resilience and optimistic outlook is something I can appreciate.
Many of us can relate to that. Thanks Pam!
I learn these daily from my children! There are so many things you can learn from children that you can use in your everyday life.
Exactly! Thank you for the comments Jennifer!
Hey Nate,
I like that you mentioned being irrational. Sometimes you have to just free your mind from being a programmed robot of whatever society you live. What makes anyone interesting is their own unique personality and creativity! Great share!
Thanks Sherman! Glad you enjoyed it!
Lets dream like kids do. That way we can travel the world and cruise from Spain to Italy!! That would be a great dream come true!
Lawrence Bergfeld
Sounds good to me! 🙂
Let the kids be kids and keep your inner child a live
Thanks for the comments Dov. 🙂
Creativity is the X factor that I look for when hiring employees. I find them to be more self-driven and innovative
This was a great read, I liked point 2 a lot! Sometimes all we need is a little irrationality.. 🙂
Children will always push boundaries and think outside of the box … never stop doing this xxx
Wonderment and innocence is what I enjoy from a child’s perspective, good reminds to take a step back and view the day ahead with these qualities.
Laugh! you why i’ve laughed? just as if this post was written for me. Lately now, i’ve learnt lots of these mentioned valuables from my kid brother and most especially sincerity. Thanks Nate for this wonderful post again.
Hi Nate, love the way you have explained what an adult can learn from a child. As a child you know that nothing is impossible and that is the way we should carry on thinking as we enter into our world of businesses. Know you CAN do it (like a child will think). Thanks for sharing.
Children think everything is possible. That is the number 1 thing to learn from them. 😀
Thank you ,Nate you are speaking of what is in my heart ,
it is very true ,I like your article .A prophecy says ,there will be a time when the adults have to learn from the kids 🙂
Love this post,children are indeed sincere and what I love most is that they don’t see obstacles – they just go for their mission and work their way towards what they want without first imagining all the problems they may encounter – and I think they get less!
Their innocence holds much charm and so little self doubt.
thanks Nate, we will all do well to recreate those thought from time to time 🙂
yes, I think the longer we remain children at heart, the happier we are, great post
maggie
Hi Nate,
GREAT questions… the best trait I’ve held on to was creativity. I could make anything out of paper when I was a kid. Today though I’d like to have more “business flare”… more analytical I think. I know I have learned a great deal from my son about “letting go”, owning your mistakes as a parent, and being honest that you screwed up. There’s nothing worse than knowing your kid caught you in a lie and you cover it up.. LOL. Better to own up to it which demonstrates responsibility and being humble…
Sincerity is the main thing which adults can learn from children. I’d say we can learn lot of things from them.
Have great day!