When I was a teenager, I realized that numbers were like a separate language. While I did not like to study other languages — too much memorization of vocabulary — I had no problem learning math.
After all, in math the numbers are zero to nine. The rest is how you manipulate those ten well-used Arabic digits.
Though I do not have a special aptitude for a new language, I do have an aptitude for dealing with numbers. I was surprised years ago by an article in the Wall Street Journal that said many tax attorneys were not skilled in math.
Fifty years ago I lived with Jill Woodine, my girlfriend at that time.. She heard a conversation I was having with my CFO, and a business consultant. Later she told me that when the three of us were talking about numbers she didn’t understand a word we were saying, To her it was as if we were speaking another language. That is often how I feel when medical professionals talk about medicine. Or engineers talk about engineering. I simply do not know their vocabulary.
Even so, I must admit that I’m still surprised that math does not come naturally to many people. But no matter our aptitude, we can always work and improve our skill at anything if we set our minds to it.
It’s New Year’s Day, the sun is out, and the family is swimming in our pool.
Why am I sitting in my office working?
I’ll save that answer for another blog.
In the meantime, what will you try to get better at this year? Gardening? Baking? Maybe math?
Alan
Every Saturday morning, eating breakfast with my mom and little brother, I would ask the inevitable question, “Mom, what can we do today?”