Growing up I remember references my dad made to the pitfalls of becoming a know-it-all professionally.  He was forced to reinvented himself a few times in order to adapt to changing faces of the industries within which he worked - agriculture, real estate, insurance. 

He always managed to come out on top and one of the reasons why is because he was always open to learning – learning a new skill set, a new industry, a new approach. 

I see the sponge-like minds of my kids when they absorb information from every new thing that confronts them. With professional confidence and experience, sometimes our availability to learn can be left behind. Without it, the end product will not be as good as it could have been and ultimately boredom will set in.

Learning is exciting and interesting.  Openness to new approaches, new ways of looking at things and ideas from any and every type of source – young or old, inexperienced or experienced, online or offline – keeps work enjoyable!

The trick is deciphering what information is sponge worthy…