One of the most devastating career pitfalls is one of the most common: getting set in your ways. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of career success. You find something that works—well!—and you stick with it. But, the context in which you achieved your remarkable outcomes has shifted.
You gradually fall out of touch. The newest, most innovative leaders don’t want to work with you, because you’ve become rigid or complacent.
Becoming set in your ways isn’t inevitable. One way to ensure you aren’t just coasting toward retirement is to learn something new each year. You should always be doing something that stretches you. This doesn’t have to be a laborious commitment. You don’t have to master Mandarin to grow as a professional. Attend a new conference. Take an online task management course. Read a book on a fresh innovation to your industry. Talk with students about their interests and concerns. Continually adapting your approach allows you to leverage your experience and insight with ever-evolving practices. There is no better recipe for sustained career success.
