The Older I Get, The More I Realize School Didn’t Teach Us Much About Life

The older I get, the more I realize how little school actually prepared us for real life.

Now before everyone starts clutching diplomas and threatening to revoke my honorary gold star sticker from third grade, hear me out.

Reading? Important.
Math? Absolutely important.

Math will follow you for the rest of your life no matter what field you choose. Budgets, bills, measurements, payroll, taxes, tipping, loans, discounts, gas mileage, congratulations, you’re doing math forever whether you like it or not.

But history and geography? Unless you’re training for Trivial Pursuit night domination, most people aren’t using that information daily. Science is useful too… if you enter a field where it applies.

But here’s the problem.

You can graduate with a 4.0 GPA, become valedictorian, never fail a single class, and still walk directly into adulthood completely unprepared for basic life.

School never teaches you what to do after a car accident.

Here’s a free lesson:
Always call the police. Your insurance company is probably going to require an incident report. Also, if you own a vehicle, get insurance before life decides to humble you at a four-way stop.

Nobody teaches you about home ownership either.

At what point does standing ankle deep in shower water become concerning? Apparently adulthood is figuring that out in real time.

If you buy a house, buy tools too. A good set. Not the “I got this screwdriver free with an oil change” toolkit.

And here’s another pro tip:
Keep a sturdy pair of needle nose pliers in the bathroom. Why?

Because one day your shower drain is going to stop draining, and you’ll discover a horrifying underground civilization of hair living beneath the drain plug. You’ll remove it slowly like you’re diffusing a bomb while questioning every life choice that led you there. All while trying not to gag!

Another thing schools don’t teach:
How to change a tire.

Before you show off your new vehicle around town, maybe learn where the spare tire is first. Read the owner’s manual. Figure out the jack points. Learn how the radio works. Half the cars on the road now look like somebody installed an iPad into a spaceship dashboard.

And unless you’re entering the medical field, schools usually don’t teach you the actual job either.

Your degree might help get you hired, but the company still has to train you how to do the work. Real-world experience is where the learning actually begins. So why waste all the time and money on an education that doesn’t prepare you for the real world?

Schools don’t teach common sense either.

They don’t teach you how to survive parenthood, homeownership, appliance disasters, or what to do when flashing lights suddenly appear in your rearview mirror.

Nobody explains how to relight a grill. Pilot lights on your hot water tank, or oven.
Nobody teaches you why your garbage disposal suddenly sounds possessed.
And nobody prepares you for the absolute rage that comes from resetting the clock on a stove and microwave after a power outage.

That blinking “12:00” becomes a symbol of defeat.

Now to be fair, school can help teach discipline, organization, deadlines, focus, and how to complete projects. Those things matter.

But life?
Life is open-book chaos with no study guide.

So hang those prestigious degrees proudly on the wall… but make sure you also have someone on speed dial when adulthood starts throwing problems at you faster than a final exam you forgot to study for.

Because deep down, we all know one thing:

Pass or fail, that exam never once helped anybody survive a trip to the grocery store.

From Passenger to Problem

A Driving Reality Check

There comes a time in life when we all stop being passengers and become drivers.

In our early teens, the urge starts creeping in… the desire to be behind the wheel. We watch our parents drive, listen to their instructions, and witness their occasional meltdown when another driver does something unbelievably stupid.

Then it happens. Sixteen.

Driver’s education becomes a rite of passage. We learn the basics… road signs, speed limits, lane changes, vehicle control. All the rules that are supposed to keep us, and everyone else alive.

But let’s be honest… nothing really prepares you like actually being on the road.

As young drivers, we’re susceptible to peer pressure, distractions, the need to fit in. Most of us have had at least one “that was a bad idea” moment behind the wheel. Hopefully, we learn. Hopefully, we grow.

As adults, we should be better. We’re supposed to set the example. Be the standard. The calm, predictable drivers that make the roads safer for the next generation.

But somewhere along the way… something goes sideways.

Because the same people who sit around tables, at home or at their favorite restaurant, complaining about “idiots on the road”… are often the exact same ones out there creating the chaos.

No signals. Bad lane changes. No awareness. Extreme high speeds or so slow they create bigger issues. And my personal favorite… zero common sense.

It’s like the second some people move from the couch to the driver’s seat, their IQ files for early retirement.

So here’s the deal:

It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 76, driving demands respect.

Awareness of the people around you isn’t optional. It’s the bare minimum. Every decision you make behind the wheel affects someone else.

So buckle up. Pay attention. Be better.

And if that’s too much to ask?

Stay home… or grab a bus pass.

Because driving isn’t a right. It’s a privilege.

And some people are way overdue for a suspension.

Do Not Confuse Problems With Inconveniences

Somewhere along the way, we started calling every minor disruption a problem. The coffee order was wrong? Problem. The Wi-Fi is slow? Problem. You had to wait five whole minutes? Crisis. No.

That’s not a problem. That’s an inconvenience, and your life will, in fact, continue.

A problem is something that genuinely impacts your health, safety, livelihood, or well-being. A problem changes the trajectory of your life. It demands action, adjustment, or resilience. It doesn’t disappear if you sigh loudly or complain to strangers on the internet.

An inconvenience is just life tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Hey, adapt real quick.”

Why We Get This Twisted

We live in an on-demand world. Everything is fast, instant, and customized. So when something doesn’t go exactly as planned, it feels personal. Like the universe looked at your day and chose violence.

But here’s the truth: Life isn’t attacking you. It’s just… being life.

When we treat inconveniences like problems, we waste emotional energy, patience, and perspective. We start reacting instead of responding. And suddenly, small stuff feels heavy, exhausting, and overwhelming.

That’s not strength, that’s burnout in yoga pants.

The Cost of Confusing the Two

When every inconvenience is labeled a problem: Stress levels skyrocket. Gratitude quietly exits the building. Perspective gets replaced by frustration. Real problems don’t get the attention they deserve.

You can’t solve real issues when you’re emotionally drained by things that don’t matter tomorrow…. like not getting your party of eight sat immediately at the restaurant during peak hours!

Reframing the Moment

Next time something goes sideways, ask yourself: Will this matter next week? Does this require a solution or just patience? Is this uncomfortable… or actually harmful?

If the answer is patience, congratulations, you’re not facing a problem. You’re being asked to grow up emotionally for about 10 minutes.

Real Problems Deserve Real Focus

Save your energy for the things that truly matter: Your health. Your relationships. Your integrity. Your future. Those are worth the stress, the planning, and the fight.

The rest? That’s just life being mildly annoying. And honestly… it’s kind of good practice.

Because if you can stay calm through inconveniences, you’ll be unstoppable when real problems show up.

Where Did Public Etiquette Go?

I was sitting in a doctor’s office the other day. Large waiting room. Nearly 30 empty seats. Three people total, including myself.

Two more people walked in. They saw me. They had to pass me to check in.

While waiting, a woman across the room dropped her papers. She was in a wheelchair, so I got up to help her, because that’s what decent humans do.

I turned around to return to my seat and… it was gone.

The two new arrivals had taken it.

Not because there was no other option.

Not because the room was full.

But because awareness and basic courtesy seem to be optional these days.

I didn’t say anything. I sat elsewhere. But I wanted to say, I wasn’t aware we were playing musical chairs!

But the woman I helped made eye contact with me, shook her head, and said everything without saying a word.

Public spaces used to come with unspoken rules…. awareness, patience, respect for others. Somewhere along the way, those rules were replaced with entitlement and tunnel vision.

Kindness shouldn’t cost you your seat.

And decency shouldn’t be this rare.

Deep in Thought, Sipping Coffee

Not all thinkers think the same.

And most problems in work, leadership, and life come from using the wrong thinking style at the wrong moment.

The goal isn’t to be one type of thinker.

The goal is to know your default and learn how to borrow from the others when it matters.

1. Creative Thinkers

Definition:

Creative thinkers generate ideas. They see possibilities where others see limits. They’re imaginative, intuitive, and often emotionally driven.

Strengths:

Big-picture vision • Innovation • Problem re-framing • Branding, storytelling, menu ideas, blog writing

Weaknesses:

Can lack follow-through • Easily bored by systems and structure • May ignore constraints (budgets, time, rules)

In the real world:

Creative thinkers start movements but don’t always finish projects.

This is me.

I’m the guy who sees what could be, not just what is.

2. Analytical Thinkers

Definition:

Analytical thinkers break things down logically. They rely on data, facts, and measurable outcomes.

Strengths:

Decision accuracy • Financial analysis • Risk assessment • Strategic planning

Weaknesses:

Can overthink • Slower decision-making • May struggle with ambiguity

In the real world:

These people keep businesses profitable, but sometimes miss the human or emotional factors behind decisions.

3. Critical Thinkers

Definition:

Critical thinkers evaluate ideas objectively. They question assumptions, identify flaws, and assess consequences.

Strengths:

Strong judgment • Problem detection • Ethical reasoning • Crisis management

Weaknesses:

Can come off as negative or cynical • May stall creativity • Risk of analysis paralysis

In the real world:

Critical thinkers prevent disasters but rarely start revolutions.

4. Conceptual vs. Literal Thinkers

Let’s split this cleanly.

Conceptual Thinkers

Definition:

They think in themes, patterns, and abstract connections.

Strengths:

Vision • Strategy • Long-term planning

Weaknesses:

May skip details • Communication gaps with literal thinkers

Literal Thinkers

Definition:

They think in concrete terms—what’s said, what’s written, what’s immediately actionable.

Strengths:

Clarity • Execution • Rule-following • Consistency

Weaknesses:

Struggle with ambiguity • Less adaptable to change

In the real world:

Conceptual thinkers design the map.

Literal thinkers drive the truck.

5. Systematic Thinkers

Definition:

Systematic thinkers build processes. They love structure, order, and repeatability.

Strengths:

Efficiency • Scalability • Training systems • SOPs

Weaknesses:

Resistance to change • Can stifle creativity • May prioritize process over people

In the real world:

These thinkers turn chaos into consistency.

So… What Type of Thinker Am I?

I’m a Creative–Conceptual Thinker with flashes of Critical Thinking when things hit the fan.

Translation:

I’m a vision guy who becomes a truth guy under pressure.

I am not a natural systematic or analytical thinker, and that’s okay. Forcing myself into those roles 24/7 would drain my soul faster than a double shift on wing night.

What’s the Best Type of Thinker for Real-World Operations?

Here’s the truth:

The best operator is a Hybrid Thinker.

Creative enough to adapt.

Analytical enough to measure.

Critical enough to avoid disasters.

Systematic enough to scale.

The unicorn isn’t one person.

It’s a team or a leader who knows when to switch modes. How to Function Better at Work Based on Your Thinking Style

1. Stay in Your Creative Lane

Vision • Branding • Culture • Messaging • Big decisions

2. Borrow Systems (Don’t Build Them Alone)

Use checklists • Delegate SOPs • Lean on people who love structure

3. Pause Before Decisions

Ask yourself:

Is this a creative moment—or an operational one?

Do I need excitement or accuracy right now?

4. Respect Other Thinkers

Your worst conflict won’t be incompetence, it’ll be different thinking styles talking past each other.

There is no “best” thinker only the right thinker for the moment.

The real growth comes when you stop trying to change who you are…

…and start learning how to think on purpose.

Public Roads, You Don’t Own Them

Let’s talk about street parking and that ever-elusive thing called common sense.

If you buy a house or rent an apartment without a private driveway or parking lot, news flash: the street in front of your home doesn’t come with the deed. You don’t own it, you don’t control it, and you sure as hell aren’t guaranteed a VIP parking space in front of your door.

Now, that said, a little courtesy goes a long way. If you’re having guests over and you know your neighbor will be home soon, maybe don’t park your whole fleet in front of their house. It’s called being considerate… it’s free, and it looks good on you.

But here’s the flip side: there’s no law that says anyone can’t park on a public street. So, if you’re a homeowner and someone parks in front of your house, take a deep breath. Arguing, texting, or calling your neighbor to move their car is a Grade-A douche move. And threatening to call the cops? Even worse. Because guess what? The police are just going to tell you what I am saying now…. you do not own the street.

Yeah, it sucks when you can’t park right out front, but life goes on. Be patient, not an asshole. The spot will open up eventually, and you’ll survive the walk from 20 feet down the block.

And if you grew up in the Ohio Valley, you know the classic move…. the lawn chair blockade. Sure, it’s nostalgic, but let’s be real: it’s also illegal. If someone moves your chairs and parks there, news flash, they didn’t break a law.

The world’s already divided enough with politics and nonsense. We don’t need parking wars on top of it. A little kindness and understanding can go a long way…. and maybe, just maybe, make your neighborhood a better place to live.

Day 16 of the Government Shutdown:

And guess what? Still no give. No progress. Just more political mudslinging. Both parties are dumping misinformation on the American people like it’s a sport, each blaming the other while pretending to care about us.

Let’s be honest for a second, “We the People” doesn’t feel real anymore. Sure, we still vote. But does it even matter? Every headline about “national security,” “gun rights,” “health care,” or “education” feels less like a policy discussion and more like a cover story for a paycheck.

Because when you strip it all down, none of it benefits the average American.

It benefits them….. the ones with the astronomical salaries, lifetime perks, free health care, and endless immunity from the consequences the rest of us face daily.

So why do we keep fighting each other?

Why do we keep believing the spin when both sides are clearly just moving pawns across a political chessboard, and “We the People”, more like “We the Pawns”

They argue, posture, and cash their checks… while we tighten our belts, pay the bills, and argue online about which side “cares” more.

It’s embarrassing. It’s exhausting.

And it goes against everything this country was built on.

Maybe it’s time We the People finally start acting like it again.

Dazed, Confused, and Proud of It: The Epidemic of the Clueless

Somewhere along the line, we stopped celebrating intelligence and started giving participation trophies to confusion. You see it everywhere, the blank stares, the shrugged shoulders, the “I don’t understand” anthem echoing across generations.

Let’s be honest, it’s not cute. “Dazed and Confused” might’ve been a great movie, but it’s not a good life strategy.

The ASVAB Theory

There’s a test the military uses called the ASVAB: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It measures your strengths, weaknesses, and where your skills actually fit.

Now, imagine if everyone had to take that test. Not for enlistment, but for work. For life.

We’d have a much better understanding of people’s actual abilities and inabilities. Some folks would find out they’re meant for mechanics, others for management….. and some might discover they should probably stay far away from anything that requires common sense or a cash register.

“I Don’t Understand” – The Motto of the Modern Adult

I swear, “I don’t understand” has become a lifestyle.

You ever notice how many people wander through life like they’re waiting for a cosmic GPS to tell them where the bathroom is in a 700-square-foot building?

Newsflash: it’s probably the door with the stick figure on it.

The inability, or refusal to think critically has become a full-blown epidemic. We’re surrounded by grown adults who freeze at the first hint of decision-making, like raccoons in headlights.

The Restaurant Test

If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you’ve seen it firsthand. You bring out a tray of food for six, and suddenly nobody remembers what they ordered.

“Did I get the burger?”

No, Brenda, you got the salad, because you told me you were “trying to eat healthy,” remember?

These are functioning adults… driving cars, voting, raising kids, who can’t recall their own dinner choices from twenty minutes ago.

Intelligence Is Attractive

Here’s the thing, being smart is sexy.

Thinking before speaking, reading a book, learning new things…. it’s magnetic. Intelligence opens doors that ignorance can’t even find the handle to.

It’s not about being a genius. It’s about trying. About not settling for confusion as your default setting.

So here’s my message:

Take the test. Read the book. Ask the question. Stop wandering around lost in life like you’re looking for the exit sign in a Cracker Barrel.

Because being clueless might be easy, but being intelligent?

That’s the real flex.

Concealed Carry & Handgun Common Sense

At my business, we proudly support the right to bear arms. The sign on our front door reads: “Lawful Concealed Carry Permitted on Premises.” However, as Uncle Ben famously advised Peter Parker in Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Concealed carry is a right, but it also carries a tremendous responsibility. Here are some key points to remember:

1. Concealed Means Concealed

The term “concealed carry” says it all: no one should know you are armed. Flashing or brandishing your firearm in public not only undermines this principle but can create unnecessary fear or escalate situations. A concealed weapon is not for show—it’s for protection in dire situations only.

2. When (and When Not) to Draw Your Weapon

Drawing a weapon is a serious, last-resort decision, not a tool for bravado or intimidation. Firing into the air or ground, for any reason, is reckless and shows a lack of discipline. If you’re using a firearm to “show off,” you shouldn’t be carrying one in the first place.

3. Alcohol and Firearms Don’t Mix

Carrying a firearm into a bar while drinking is irresponsible and dangerous. Alcohol impairs judgment, and bad decisions with a gun can lead to life-altering consequences.

If you plan to drink, leave your firearm locked securely in your car—or better yet, at home. The consequences of mixing guns and alcohol could include losing your permit, facing legal charges, or worse, causing unnecessary harm.

4. Concealed Carry Classes: More Than a Formality

Unfortunately, many concealed carry classes seem to prioritize profits over education. Instructors should be asking critical questions like:

• How do you plan to carry your firearm?

• Where do you plan to carry it?

Students, especially women need practical advice on holsters and carrying methods. Carrying a firearm in a purse, for example, is a mistake. If someone snatches your purse, they now have both your belongings and your weapon. Invest in a reliable holster, practice wearing it, and learn how to draw safely.

5. The 21-Foot Rule & Practical Training

Understand the 21-foot rule: if an attacker is within 21 feet, you may not have time to draw your weapon. This underscores the importance of learning basic self-defense techniques. A firearm is a tool, but it’s not your only tool—be prepared to protect yourself in multiple ways.

6. Vehicle Carrying Done Right

Leaving your firearm in a glove box, center console, or under your seat is not secure or accessible. If you carry for protection, your weapon should be on you, in a holster, and within reach—not left where it could be stolen or delayed in an emergency.

7. Firearm Safety is Non-Negotiable

The power of a firearm demands respect and responsibility:

• Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.

• Never point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy.

• Practice regularly to ensure you can handle your weapon safely and confidently.

8. Drunk Decisions Are Deadly Decisions

Carrying a firearm is not a game, and it’s not a way to intimidate others. If you can’t handle your weapon responsibly, or if you bring it into situations where judgment may be impaired, you don’t deserve to carry one.

Final Thoughts

Carrying a firearm is a right, but it’s also a profound responsibility. Your actions can have life-altering consequences for yourself and others. Before you carry, ask yourself if you are truly prepared for the weight of this decision.

Be smart, be educated, be responsible. This is not just for your safety, it’s for everyone around you.

When Will Common Sense Prevail?

Common sense, the working force that should make decision making and life easier! What ever happened to independent thinking or common sense. The people of todays world, are 100% lost and in need of desperate help. The simplest of tasks are made to be so difficult it makes others scratch their heads. I’m not sure where it all went wrong, but the stress it creates when you are surrounded by such unintelligent people is draining and overwhelming. The constant back and forth pull between people who need to either have validation of their work or assistance because they lack that confidence to just do it is more than I asked for when I woke up this morning. Sometimes I wonder how I made it this far? I’m not the smartest and im definitely not the best at making good vs bad choices, but I look like a damn genius compared to the people of todays world… instructions are all a waste of time and ink, because no one reads those and if they do read them, they don’t understand what is being asked or explained. The new normal is to walk around like some invalid stoner with zero brain cells. The general public has become brain dead and this is affecting the day to day operations of everything. I have my own job to do and the responsibility to maintain other peoples job has become such an issue I’d rather destroy my business and get rid of every employee rather than the continuous revolving door of the unwilling. I’ll push forward because unlike the zombies of the world, I don’t have it in me to quit. However, I will hold you accountable and I will degrade your unintelligence because I’m to busy for your stupidity! Good luck out there and until next time, happy reading!