We've all had valedictorian-level students here and there throughout our careers.
Students who got straight A's in all the classes, no matter how demanding they were.
Students who participated in enough extracurriculars that would make an overworked CEO proud.
Students who knew all the right answers. At least, when there was a grade coming or it would go on the permanent record.
Yet, they couldn't progress beyond an elementary level of piano.
They failed in this area.
But, because no one knew about it, it was "okay" to quit.
It happens for a variety of reasons. Struggling to manage time. Having trouble dealing with the frustrations of solving complex problems. Not knowing how to approach something outside of rote memorization.
Or even just struggling with working on something that's not for a grade. Building a skill over a long period of time.
But as we look ahead into the future, what is it that we want?
The ability to practice and hone any skill we want, as quickly as possible?
Or to produce the same right answers that everyone else has learned how to do...obsessively.
Which one do you think will shape the world into what it needs to be for the next generation?