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I do believe that everyone growing up faces differential opportunities. With me, it was books and travel and some good teachers. With somebody else, it may be a boy scout master. With somebody else, it will be a clergyman. Somebody else, an uncle who was wiser than the father. I think young people ought to seek that differential experience that is going to knock them off dead center. I was a typical American school boy. I happened to get straight A's and be pretty good in sports. But I had no great vision of what I could be. And I never had any yearning. My job was to live through Friday afternoon, get through the week, and eat something. And then along came these differential experiences that you don't look for, that you don't plan for, but, boy, you better not miss them. The things that make you bigger than you are. The things that give you a vision. The things that give you a challenge.

James Michener#32

EducationGrowthVisionMentorshipOpportunity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author believes unexpected experiences like books or mentors are crucial for young people to gain vision and grow beyond their current state.
In plain terms
Young people should seek out unexpected experiences that challenge them and give them a vision for the future.
What can you take from it?
Seek out unexpected experiences that challenge your current perspective.

Where it applies

  • career guidance
  • personal growth
  • seeking mentors

Putting it to work

  • look for unexpected challenges
  • value mentorship
  • step outside routine

Questions to consider

  • What unexpected experience changed your path?
  • Who was a mentor that knocked you off center?

Another view

Not everyone has access to the resources like books or travel mentioned as key differentials.

More from James Michener

  1. I don't know who my parents were. I know nothing about my inheritance. I could be Jewish; I could be part Negro; I could be Irish; I could be Russian. I am spi…

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. Not too many people work in a job where, waiting out there are three or four hundred people who are paid to tear apart what you've done. And often they are bri…

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.

    Permalink to quote #30

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