Change Is Born With Your Example, Not Your Opinion
The principle of education is to preach by example. In fact, we are all someone’s role model or reference: a source of influence. In this sense, opinions that are not followed by examples are of next to nothing. Even bad examples serve more than good opinions: they are a reference to know what not to do.
From childhood to old age, we learn through examples and from direct experience. This type of learning occurs by observing another person’s behavior and requires a series of factors to be carried out correctly. Concretely, the person setting the example needs to have characteristics that are interesting to the observer. Furthermore, to carry out vicarious learning, it is preferable that the conduct be instrumental and repeated after seeing the example.
This is how this type of learning bears fruit, often faster, more efficiently and economically than using another type of didactic. Certainly, there are certain behaviors, especially risky ones, that cannot be learned from examples alone.
There is nothing but education and example
How many people can be reached with a good example? How many people can you captivate with your opinion? Except for oratory and a good argumentation of our opinions, the examples are much more educational because they reinforce learning. A learner can appreciate almost directly the most likely consequences of a given behavior.
Education is not produced through the word alone. The practical part, somehow, is the ultimate end of learning. When we want to educate our children, nephews or students, we must take into account that, no matter how much we talk to them, our actions will mark a before and an after in their behavior.
It is inappropriate to give a series of orders and follow others, whether on a personal, social or family level. This type of person loses effectiveness as a model because of the dissonance between their words and their actions, sending contradictory messages to the person who observes them.
With words you move, with example you encourage
Example is the only lesson all men can read. Words, on the contrary, are loaded with connotations and meanings. Let’s not deny that words can sometimes even be healing and can cause a change of perspective, but in order to change a situation, their effect is usually not very lasting.
If we want to change our attitude, our schedules or our habits, it is not enough to repeat them out loud or mentally over and over again. It is the actions that will make the difference. It is true that words alert us and make us think about which examples are appropriate, but only when the behavior is performed can the learning or change be considered complete.
Words have the power of convincing that is heard, but example has the power of truth seen and lived. The words are really powerful when based on personal examples, otherwise they would be like the metal that echoes, without any validity for the person who just hears them.
People who only talk will be able to convince others, but for a limited time, unless the persuaded people can put into practice what has been learned, in the first person, and experience the consequences. Words really have power in the speaker’s example. If there is no example, much of your speech is useless.
