Life Lessons From the Scripps National Spelling Bee
The event is about more than just the words
This week, word nerds will tune in to an event that, for them, is as enjoyable to watch as the Super Bowl and the World Series. But the Scripps National Spelling Bee is not just a way to satisfy the need for a little word porn; it is also filled with life lessons we can learn from the event and its young contestants. The following are some of those lessons.
I’m not even this well-behaved when I win, which can make me pretty insufferable….
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
During the Scripps National Spelling Bee, contestants aren’t shy when it comes to asking questions — about the origin of a word, its definition, and how it can be used in a sentence — which can help them complete the task at hand. As children, we have no problem asking questions — and lots of them — but as we get older, we fear this is somehow a sign of weakness. But it isn’t. There’s nothing weak about admitting you need help and demonstrating you’re not afraid to ask questions in order to get it. In fact, acknowledging what you don’t know and being willing to ask for the information is a sign of great strength.
