Proverbs 22.6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Teaching children to embrace the process of musar requires helping them make three commitments: Choose the mindset. Do the work. Be coachable.
Here is commitment #3 for learning and building skill: Be Coachable
There are limits to how much you can evaluate your own effectiveness and progress. Therefore, the willingness to receive feedback and coaching is essential to the process of growth. Be willing to be challenged. The more coachable you are, the faster you will get better.
- Actively seek feedback about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as ideas for improvement.
- Be humble enough to receive feedback (even when it hurts). You can get better, or you can protect your ego. You can’t do both.
- Don’t be defensive or combative. Understand that all feedback and coaching comes from imperfect people.
- Be grateful someone cares enough to invest the time and energy to help you get better.
Your openness to feedback and your willingness to receive coaching is one of the most important attributes you can build into your life. This is a big emphasis in the Book of Proverbs.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1.7)
“When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.” (Proverbs 21.11)
Foolish people do not respond to instruction and correction. Indeed, scoffers are hard-hearted fools who resist and reject feedback. They are so stubborn that even a hundred blows can’t break through to get them to listen and change.
“A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” (Proverbs 17.10)
Don’t be foolish. Ne wise and seek feedback. Respond to instruction and correction. Trust God and be coachable.
