DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 60 years old and have been feeling that I am too old to go to professional workshops. I have only a few years left to go until I retire, and I hate how out of touch I feel when these young professionals are teaching me. Do you have any words of motivation so I can feel good about going to these again? -- Oldest One There, Atlanta
DEAR OLDEST ONE THERE: We reach different moments in our lives when everything comes into question. This occurs with greater frequency as we get older. It is your choice, however, as to how you will react to these moments. As it relates to work, one way you can stay young is to stay up to date on everything. You should take professional workshops so that you remain relevant at work. You should also welcome the young professionals who teach you what they know.
As difficult as it may seem at first, if you welcome the input of younger people and truly allow yourself to learn, you will be able to enjoy your remaining working years much better. Similarly, go online and look for tutorials that are available there. Thanks to the internet, there is so much educational material available that you should be able to help yourself to keep up with changes in your industry.
You may even want to bring ideas to your younger colleagues that you have read about in your research. Ask them if they know about particular things you discover. Your putting forth the effort will help to boost your self-esteem and show your company that you not only have experience in your favor, but you also have the willingness to continue to be a student of your industry and life.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)