Shaquille O’Neal. What do you associate with this famous name? Most likely, you rank him among the greatest basketball players of all time. Or, you picture his imposing size: 7ft 1inches (2.16 metres) and 325 pounds (147 kg). Maybe now you think of Shaq as a sports analyst and co-host of Inside the NBA. O’Neal is all these things, but he’s also a lifelong learner.
When O’Neal left Louisiana State University in 1992 to join the NBA, he promised his mother that he would eventually finish his education. In 2000, he received a bachelor’s degree from LSU through distance learning courses – while playing with the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal later earned an MBA, a PhD, and studied cinematography and mixed martial arts. He has appeared in a wide range of film and TV roles, released five studio albums, and became a reserve police officer. If that’s not enough, he’s also an entrepreneur and investor.
Shaq clearly loves to try new things – and his story proves that it’s never too late to broaden your horizons. Long after we leave our high school hallways or college classrooms, learning should play an important role in our lives.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said that the world’s most successful people are lifelong learners. They understand that an ongoing education is their own responsibility. “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune,” said Rohn.
