In today’s world, continuous learning is the key to survival, not only for the organization but for the individual. Change occurs at such a rapid pace, that only the “prepared mind” can take advantage of Fortuna and the slings and arrows that she sends our way.

Lady Fortuna is our future, for as far as we can see. Rising and falling world powers, seismic changes in the Middle East power structure, highly chaotic weather systems, national political upheavals, and unpredictable financial markets – all contribute to our sense of being overcome by events. And yet, the prepared mind must rise to the occasion. And rise again, and again. Continuous learning and personal growth thus become critical to our ability to survive the changes, and, more importantly, to get ahead of the changes and shape the future.

When to begin preparing your mind? As early as possible! Just as accumulating wealth is best achieved by understanding and following the dictates of compound interest, the prepared mind is also developed most effectively and speedily when you learn continuously. Each new chunk of knowledge builds on and interacts with previous chunks along multiple brain circuits/pathways, creating exponential growth over time. Compound learning, we might call it.

So why learn on the upswing? Why learn when we are already successful in our careers? Empirical studies indicate that people tend to peak in productivity after many months and years of practice and experience. And that peak tends to occur in our 40s, unless of course we are born with the brilliance of a Leonardo or a Mozart. But back to us everyday folks. If we typically peak in our 40s, is that all there is? Is there intellectual life and personal growth after our 40s? Well, of course. It is a silly question actually. But who are these people that continue building and creating active intellectual lives after 40? They are the ones who “learn on the upswing.”

Think of the A-level athlete who has reached his or her peak. What do they do to keep learning? Maybe take up a new exercise regime or change their swing on the tennis court, or modify their diet. There may be a temporary setback in performance, but the goal is to improve performance above and beyond their previous peak level. Of course, many athletes do retire from the field by 40 or 50. So what about other types of professionals – doctors, lawyers, security professionals and other 21st century creative types?

Doctors have continuous education built into their career tracks, as do lawyers and many other categories of professionals. If not, it is up to the individual to find that educational or experiential opportunity. Only by moving forward, even in your 40s, can you continue to lead a fulfilling and successful life. f you allow yourself to reach your peak without having considered additional personal and professional growth, you have not only lost some of your forward-leaning edge but you have forfeited some of your compound learning. And catching up is tough – you must work twice as hard to recover lost time. If you had started exploring and growing on the upswing, you would have been more strategically prepared for change, if it should come.

So, start now. Are you looking to improve yourself at your current professional level? To move up in your organization? Or maybe you are looking for a career change. Personal and professional growth go hand in hand. Find the right balance for you and your family, and prepare for the future. Success occurs when preparation meets Lady Fortuna!

Gerry Gingrich, PhD is the faculty director of the Executive Master in Policy Leadership at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University. She is an expert in organizational and technological change, leadership, and strategic thinking. She can be reached at gingricg@georgetown.edu.


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