Moving from how to what

We often begin by learning how. How to speak, how to write, how to play.

These are skills that can be developed.

At some point — maybe sooner, maybe later — we shift our focus away from how and toward what.

Now that we know how to speak, what will we say?

Now that we know how to write, what will we compose?

Now that we know how to play, what songs does the world need to hear?

If we don’t move beyond “how” then we remain as pupils.

And while we’re lifelong learners, the goal is not to merely collect skills. The goal is to use those skills to do meaningful work.