New year, new skills and the importance of continuous learning

Welcome to the start of a new year. It’s a chance to hit the reset button and start the year off with new goals and objectives. There are plenty of articles out there about setting general goals and resolutions, so we won’t cover that here. What I do want to focus on is one specific goal that I have and that is to spend more time learning and honing my own skills. Most of the readers of this newspaper tend to be middle-aged (like me) and older, so learning is even more important for us than younger people. We’ll come back to the reason I make that statement in a little bit.

For now, I’ve decided to adopt the personal theme of “New Year, New Skills.” This theme is one that applies to me as both an individual and as a business leader. In this post, I’ll delve into why continuous learning is particularly crucial for us in middle age and beyond, and how it impacts innovation and the vitality of our businesses. First, let me share a bit of personal history to make this more relevant.

Ever since the dawn of the desktop PC (personal computer) in 1980, I’ve had a fascination with technology. In high school, our class was one of the first to study computer programming (thank you Coach Horsley). My father taught data processing at DeKalb Community College, now Georgia State University Perimeter College. Dad bought one of the first portable computers, the Osborne-I “suitcase” computer which I had access to at home to further enhance my learning (see adjacent picture). In college, I decided to study Computer Science at University of North Georgia (formerly North Georgia College). Because Computer Science was in the Department of Mathematics, I ended up getting a dual degree in Math/Computer Science. Not only did I study computer programming, algorithms, and compiler construction, I also studied a lot of math including numerical analysis, calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and matrix math. Calculating dot products on matrices is not something I ever thought I’d see later in life, but I was wrong.

After my stint in the Army, I entered graduate school to work on my MBA at Georgia State University. One class I particularly enjoyed was decision sciences. In the class we used computers (mostly Lotus 123 spreadsheets) and statistics to solve business problems and perform optimization analysis and forecasting. Often times I decided to write my own programs to solve these problems. After class one day, I started talking to one of my professors who mentioned something called a “neural network” as an emerging concept for computer aided decision making. Knowing that I had a background in computer science he asked me to collaborate with him on creating a rudimentary neural network (written in the C programming language) to do financial market graph pattern matching. The math behind neural networks was and still is matrix math (just 4 years earlier I thought I’d never see a matrix again). We did some good work and I was invited to apply to pursue further studies as a PhD candidate. I decided not to pursue a PhD, even though I had been accepted into the program, in order to start a family and make money.

Fast forward 30 years later and I want to be student again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned a lot by being a consultant for the first 10 years of my career and even more by being a small business owner for the next 20 years. But something has rekindled my original interests in math/computer science – yes, the re-emergence of Artificial Intelligence. Faster computers and 30 years worth of Internet data has finally brought AI out of the lab and onto our phones. Most people don’t give AI a second thought, as it has crept into your life by tagging your pictures, planning your routes, suggesting what movies to watch, recommending music you might like, and serving up a steady stream of social media (and ads) on your phone. Some people are blindly using it to generate bland written content and sterile images (please don’t do that, we can tell the difference). Others are using it to good effect by helping them almost like a personal assistant. But this isn’t a story about AI, it’s a story about learning and why it’s become important to me again.

As a middle-aged person, it’s not lost on me that my career has peaked. No, I’m not retiring but as I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the story isn’t about me anymore – I’ve done the things I’ve wanted to do and as the “old guy” it’s my job to mentor and support younger people to help them succeed such as my adult children, the staff at my company, and other aspiring leaders in our community. Yet, I’ve been toying around the idea of a “Second Act”. How can I keep my mind sharp, stay relevant, and pursue earlier interests that I put on hold? Learning!

In a recent article for Scientific American (June 2023), Dr. Rachel Wu and Dr. Jessica Church Lang have written a compelling article entitled “To Stay Sharp as You Age, Learn New Skills.” It’s worth a read. There are countless other articles you can read about the benefits of learning, participating in hobbies, doing puzzles, and other “brain activities” to help us stay sharp in the second half of our lives. Young people are generally better at learning than older folks. For many, learning tends to peak by age 40. Other than some professions having mandatory continuing education requirements, most working professionals over 40 tend to stop formal learning. Over 50, which includes me, many tend to not want to learn anything because we’re set in our ways. That’s brittle thinking and leads to obsolescence. I think it’s possible to leverage “older knowledge” with newer learning and skills. In my case, what’s old is new again in the form of AI which is powered by concepts I learned over 30 years ago – matrix math and neural networks!

So, what are some of the benefits of learning new things?

Enhanced Cognitive Function: This is just a fancy way of saying that learning new skills stimulates the brain, helping to keep you sharp. As was mentioned in the Scientific American article above, this can be particularly beneficial in delaying or reducing the risk of cognitive decline associated with aging. Let’s start learning right now by looking up the word “neuroplasticity.” Consider how that relates to the learning experience.

Improved Memory: Engaging in learning activities has been shown to improve memory. When we learn new things, we exercise our “memory muscle”, which can help in retaining information better and for longer periods. By the way, have you seen my car keys?

Increased Emotional Well-being: Learning new skills can boost self-esteem and confidence. It provides a sense of accomplishment and can be a source of joy and fulfillment. I know one recent innovation of learning is to “game-ify” the process where certain learning goals attainments are rewarded by earning points and unlocking achievements, just as you would in a game.

Social Engagement: Often, learning involves interacting with others, whether it’s in a class setting or online forum. This social aspect can be vital for older adults, helping to combat loneliness and build a sense of community. This was impacted a few years ago by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also lead to the development of more online community learning. I personally like a mix of both online and in-person learning.

Keeping Up with Technological Advances: In a world where technology is also changing, learning new tech skills keeps us connected and able to engage with modern tools, from smartphones to the latest software. For example, I originally learned spreadsheets with SuperCalc, followed by Lotus 123, then Microsoft Excel, and now Google Sheets. The concepts are the same, but the tools have evolved. Pro tip for some of my peers, stop using Microsoft Powerpoint and consider using Canva! My staff helped me learn about that one.

Physical Health Benefits: Some learning activities, especially those that involve physical activity like dance classes or yoga, can have direct physical health benefits, aiding in maintaining flexibility, balance, and overall fitness. Learning doesn’t just have to be a brain activity. Last year I took up ballroom dancing so that I could dance at my daughter Alex’s wedding. I’m still not that good at it, but it was a great learning experience.

Adaptability to Change: Learning new skills helps us (particularly older adults) stay adaptable in a changing world. This adaptability is important not just for personal growth but also for understanding and relating to younger generations. I am constantly learning things from younger people and strive to keep an open mind about new ways of doing things.

Career Enhancement: For those still in the workforce, learning new skills can lead to career advancement or even a change in career paths. Learning helps keep people competitive in the job market. Ask an employer (including me) what the number one challenge is and we’ll tell you it’s finding a qualified workforce with the skills to do today’s work and a willingness to continuously learn in order to be prepared for tomorrow’s work. Back to AI – if you are not learning about how to use it (both its strengths and weaknesses) you will be left behind in the workforce.

Intellectual Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: Fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity can lead to a more fulfilling, enriched life. It keeps the mind active and engaged, crucial for maintaining mental agility. I enjoy learning new things, solving problems, and staying relevant. Learning helps you to be a more interesting person at parties and other social gatherings.

Creativity and Innovation: Learning activities expose us to new ideas and perspectives, which can ignite our own creative processes that lead to innovation. Creativity and innovation are two of the most important success factors for a business, especially in today’s algorithm-driven world. Indeed, one reason I have renewed my interest in AI is to peer back into the “black box” to see what’s going on. Most people don’t bother fact-checking or understanding the how/why of things. I think that’s a mistake.

So back to me and my goals for the new year. What have I personally been doing to learn and improve my own skills? One of the ways has been to write this weekly column. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but haven’t had much of an opportunity until recently. One of the best ways to get better at something is to do it. I’m very appreciative of the support and feedback about this column that many of you have given me in person and on social media. Another way that I’m trying to be more deliberate about learning, is to take formal online classes. I recently completed a Harvard University CS50 online class about Python (it’s not a snake, it’s a modern computer programming language used in AI and data science) and am enrolled in a class right now where we’re actually developing AI applications. I’m looking forward to applying those skills with our marketing clients. At work, we’ve been fostering a culture of learning and skills development by encouraging staff to obtain industry certifications. Certification programs help encourage and validate skills development. Every team member participated, including me.

As I start this “New Year, New Skills” endeavor, I invite you, my readers, to join me. Let’s challenge the stereotype that learning is just for the young. Whether it’s rekindling an old interest, picking up a new hobby, or enhancing our professional skills, let’s demonstrate that age is just a number when it comes to learning. Not only will you be setting a good example for others, but the young people in your life will be glad you’re making an effort to stay relevant and up-to-date. Let’s make this year not only about achieving our business goals but also about personal growth and intellectual enrichment. Remember, the journey of learning never ends, and it’s never too late to start. You may find out, like I did with matrix math and neural networks, that your original knowledge is still valid, it just needs an update to be relevant in today’s world.

[Joe Domaleski, a Fayette County resident for 25 years, is the owner of Country Fried Creative – an award-winning digital marketing agency located in Peachtree City. His company was the Fayette Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year.  Joe is a husband, father of three grown children, and proud Army veteran.  He has an MBA from Georgia State University and enjoys sharing his perspectives drawing from thirty years of business leadership experience. Sign up for the Country Fried Creative newsletter to get marketing and business articles directly in your inbox. ]