As I began to write this blog, it hit me. I may actually have “Nothing” to write about. I could share an enjoyable travel story – oh, wait, I haven’t traveled in over three months (and I have the lack of frequent flyer miles to prove it). I could talk about my recent experience in a store or restaurant – oh, wait, other than curbside pick-up or drive through, there really haven’t been any (not that I’d visit a drive through on my own anyway). I could write about someone I’ve met recently, – oh, wait, I’ve rarely left the house in months (not even for a haircut).

So, this month, I’m going to write about “Nothing”, and I’ll borrow some wisdom from my experience in the training industry to do it. When learning something new, we start out knowing “Nothing”. Yet, we are able to learn. Based on all that’s going on in the world right now, we can all learn something by paying closer attention to how we learn. That’s right. We each have a preferred learning style, and we also have the ability to teach by applying each of the styles. We just need to make the effort.

AUDITORY
If you prefer to focus on the words, no matter if they’re spoken, read, or written, then your learning preference may be auditory. With my limited vision, you’d think this would be my preference. Yet, I learn different things in different ways. Since I read slowly, if I need to study the printed word, I’ll do it using the Audible app. I write slowly too, so I like to enter my thoughts and notes on a computer. If I use a phone, speech-to-text works well, and if I don’t speak clearly enough, sometimes that gets quite entertaining. If I have to physically write, I prefer a good blue pen or a black, blue, green, or purple Sharpie.

So, why am talking about “words”? Well, right now in our society “Nothing” positive is being said. Well, that may an exaggeration, but many of today’s positive messages are being drowned out by the overwhelming negativity. In the news, on social media, and in every other place “Words” are communicated, much of it is divisive and negative.

Let’s create something out of nothing starting with a clear message. Growing up, most of us were taught that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. What if we pushed a little harder and said, “Find something nice to say, or write, or post”? Your words are more powerful than you may realize. Choose them wisely, and use them to build others up rather than tear them down.

VISUAL
If you prefer to focus on what you see in pictures, diagrams, illustrations, or demonstrations, then your learning preference may be visual. With my limited vision, you’d think this would be my weakest preference. Yet, I’ve found that if I can get a closer look at these items, I gain lots of information quickly.

So, why am talking about “visuals”? Well, you don’t need perfect vision to see that “Nothing” positive is being displayed in 2020. Again, that may be an exaggeration, but the positive sights and sounds of our world are being used as a break from reality rather than becoming our reality.

Let’s create something out of nothing by keeping our message concise. How can you change the landscape in your home, your community, and maybe even nationally or globally? I remember a mural in our junior high school. It captured all of the accomplishments of our country as we celebrated our bicentennial. What if we focused more on accomplishments rather than failures? Look for ways to truly show your support for others in a positive way. When you create a diagram, upload a photo, or share a meme, keep it simple and helpful.

KINESTHETIC
If you prefer to learn by doing, then your learning preference may be kinesthetic (hands-on). For me, this is a very powerful way to learn because I can use many senses at once to learn a new skill. I remember first learning to golf. Just gripping and aligning the club properly completely changed the position of the club face. Of course, adding some visual and auditory methods may even accelerate the learning process.

So, why am talking about “doing”? Well, right now, you might be complaining because you’ve got “Nothing” to do, or you’re so uncomfortable that you choose to do “Nothing”, or you’re tired of watching people do “Nothing” to create positive change.

Let’s create something out of nothing by becoming compelling. Instead of pushing people away, draw them in. Before you take action, consider if the result will be positive or negative. What can you do to improve a situation… yours or someone else’s? Even if you feel isolated right now, the great news is that you don’t need to work alone. There is strength in numbers.

Rather than feeling angry, upset, defeated, or hopeless, about “Nothing” being what you genuinely believe it could or should be, find a way to say, show, or do something to begin to create a more positive outcome. There may be challenges and obstacles in your path that limit your ability to view things in a positive way. However, if we choose to say, show, or do nothing, then how can we expect anything to change? Start by changing your own approach from “What can I learn?” to “What can I teach?”