All of Silicon Valley's most successful businessmen/women has one thing in common: their Montessori educational background. To me it seems like it's the best offer to learn and grow in the best way possible. I'm so envious. I've always been envious of people growing up in California especially on those in The Bay Area. The weather, the culture, the mentality and even the schools are better. Why the heck was I born in Norway? Where is that logic from? Well. Can't do anything about it. I'd like to see my future kids to grow up there though. I'm not sure that will ever be a possibility but.. I'll keep hoping. Meanwhile it's good to know that there are other opportunities cause the Montessori school is found here in Oslo as well.

But what is Montessori?

The Montessori is a school you can attend from a toddler age throughout high school.
Wikipedia describes it like this "The Montessori education is a system of education for young children that seeks to develop natural interests and activities rather than use formal teaching methods."

It is specialized to follow the kids natural curiosity and learn from there. Every child is unique and thus the education is. The education has seven pillars of self-directed learning:

1. Independence
2. Responsibility
3. Self-Discipline
4. Leadership
5. Initiative
6. Academics
7. Lifelong Learning

So.. There most be something to it when all of the examples mentioned below are Montessori graduates.

Larry Page and Sergei Brin, the founders of Google
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon
Will Wright, the inventor of best-selling video games series “The Sims”
Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia
Thomas Edison, the American inventor
Other prominent people who went through Montessori education include Taylor Swift and Beyonce Knowles, celloist Yo-Yo Ma, legendary management guru Peter Drucker, actor George Clooney, illusionist David Blaine, author Helen Keller, techno-philosopher Jason Silva and English royals Prince William and Prince Harry.

Below is a describing video of difference between conventional school and the Montessori.
It's such genius that it should've been embraced by the whole wide world long time ago.

If you want to dig deeper into the story behind it here is a documentary about the amazing woman behind the concept.

Apr 13, 2019

Foundational Inspiration

I’d like to share with you some content I love going back to whenever I feel stuck, unfocused or frustrated. Perhaps you might find some inspiration in my motivational resources too. I’m sure many of you are familiar with this already.

Listening to podcasts, books or videos from Tim Ferriss, Oprah, Larry King, Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Gary Vaynerchuck is always a safe bet - these people reminds me of who I am and where I want to be therefore easily put me back on track. Two books I always have in mind are “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek and “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown

But below are two videos that never goes out of date and has been essential to me start going after what I really want.

Video nr 1 Casey Video “You Can’t”

This video is for everybody that has been told that “they couldn’t do something just because.” I grew up in an environment where doing what I truly wanted as a grown up never seemed like an option. I was filled up with doubt in the life of becoming an adolescence cause I though I had to settle down with a life I didn’t wanted and that the only possibilities were either becoming a doctor, nurse, lawyer, journalist or teacher or firefighter or policeman. I had no one to look to for inspiration. Being an entrepreneur was an unfamiliar concept. No one once mentioned to me that I actually can create my reality, I can make my life just the way I want it. But deep within I knew that there had to be more, I wanted to be my own brand. I wanted to create a life around me and my passion but I didn’t know how. And it took me 29 years to figure it and dare going for it. I wonder what would happen if someone at a young age presented to me the concept of entrepreneurship. Anyhow, watch this and be inspired.

Silicon Valley’s Secret Sauce: Montessori

Yrja's Thoughts About Anything & Everything.