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After a stint in Japan teaching English, Alexandra Whitt  landed in talent development and retention.

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Lifelong learning is an ongoing journey that evolves with us, shaping our growth, adaptability, and potential at every stage of life. Whether you’re just beginning your career, navigating mid-life challenges, or enjoying the rewards of retirement, each decade offers unique opportunities to expand your horizons. Understanding how to approach learning in every phase can make this journey more structured, fulfilling, and rewarding.Below is a decade-by-decade guide filled with actionable tips to help you chart your lifelong learning path:In Your 20s: Laying the FoundationYour 20s are a time of discovery, where the choices you make can set the trajectory for your future. It’s a decade filled with opportunities to explore different paths and establish a strong base for personal and professional growth. Focus on:Explore Various Interests: Try out different fields to discover what excites you. Attend workshops, join industry groups, and take online courses in diverse subjects.Develop Core Skills: Sharpen essential skills like communication and project management through platforms like Coursera or Udemy.Expand Your Network: Networking is crucial. Attend events, join professional organizations, and seek out mentors for guidance.In Your 30s: Advancing and SpecializingDeeper career commitments and the pursuit of specialization often define the 30s. This is the time to solidify your expertise, climb the career ladder, and refine your focus on what truly matters to you. Maximize this decade by:Pursuing Certifications: Enhance your qualifications with advanced certifications in your field.Developing Leadership: Build leadership and management skills with targeted courses in team management and strategic planning.Balancing Work and Learning: Integrate learning into your routine. Set aside weekly time for professional development and apply new skills at work.In Your 40s: Expanding Horizons By your 40s, you’re likely well-established in your career, but that doesn’t mean growth should slow down. This decade is an ideal time to broaden your knowledge, explore new passions, and continue evolving both personally and professionally:Learn New Technologies: Stay ahead by enrolling in tech workshops or online classes that keep you competitive.Start a Personal Project: Launch a side business or personal project that aligns with your passions and enhances your skills.Mentor Others: Share your expertise by mentoring. It reinforces your learning and positively impacts the next generation.In Your 50s: Reinventing and ReflectingYour 50s offer a unique blend of reflection and reinvention. It’s a period where you can take stock of your achievements and consider new directions, whether in your career or personal life. Embrace this time by:Exploring New Interests: Dive into fields or hobbies you’ve always been curious about. Take courses that spark new passions.Prioritizing Health: Incorporate wellness education into your life through seminars on nutrition, fitness, and mental health.Planning for Retirement Learning: Prepare for continued learning in retirement by exploring volunteer opportunities, part-time work, or educational programs.In Your 60s and Beyond: Lifelong EngagementAs you enter your 60s and beyond, the focus shifts toward sustaining engagement and continuing personal enrichment. This is a time to fully embrace the pursuits that bring you joy and keep your mind active. Stay engaged by:Pursue Passions: Dedicate time to hobbies, art, writing, or volunteering—whatever brings you joy.Keep Mentally Active: Challenge your mind with puzzles, reading, or learning new languages to maintain mental sharpness.Stay Connected: Join clubs or communities that share your interests. Social connections and shared learning experiences enrich life.Tips for All DecadesSet Learning Goals: Specific, achievable goals keep you motivated across all stages.Leverage Technology: Access learning anytime, anywhere with online resources and apps.Stay Curious: Maintain a mindset of curiosity and openness to new experiences, keeping your lifelong learning journey vibrant and ongoing.Mapping your lifelong learning journey means recognizing each decade’s unique opportunities and challenges. You can make the most of every stage of life with clear goals, a willingness to embrace new technologies, and an engaged approach. Remember, learning is a continuous, evolving process—approach it with enthusiasm and an open mind.

Mapping the Lifelong Learning Journey: Tips for Each Decade of Life

We know why employees leave. Billions are spent each year on reports, whitepapers, and top-level strategies all to better understand phenomenon like the great resignation or quiet quitting. But the truth is this: we should be asking the opposite.What makes employees stay? And more than that, what makes some companies so attractive that employees stay with them for decades?What Makes Employees StayGone are the days when an employee would stay with one company for the best part of their career. Today, the average is just under three years for employees in the 25–34 age bracket.According to research by the Work Institute, 22 percent of resignations are due to a lack of opportunities for growth, promotion, achievement, or training. This trend is only growing with new opportunities to work remotely and higher employee turnover than ever before.What’s clear is that the next generation of employees want to know that the work they do has a meaningful impact. They want real opportunities for development. And they want to feel that they can grow in their role. So, what sets organizations with high employee retention apart?1. Never finding yourself stuckTop organizations understand that career stagnation is a surefire way to lose talented employees. They foster an environment where advancement is fully supported, and moving into different teams or departments is seen as an advantage, not a taboo.It’s not all about promotions, though. By investing in ongoing training and development programs, these companies ensure that employees are always on a path to enrichment. Ultimately, the outcome is a workforce that’s supported, motivated, and always evolving.2. Having an open dialogue about developmentWe now know that 33 percent of employees quit within the first 90 days. This critical point comes down to frustration and mismatches between the expectations of a given role—and the reality. But not every organization sees this 90-day spike. Organizations that start conversations early around job satisfaction, development, and feedback retain talent even in cases where there’s been a rocky first start.When companies talk early and often about performance and development opportunities, HR are in the loop on situational changes, goals, and aspirations, so they (and the employee) always know where they’re going next.3. Getting real recognition for your workWhen did you last get acknowledged for a job well done? Recognition is a powerful motivator. Employees who feel appreciated for their contributions are more likely to stay committed. When employees are recognized as individuals, not just as cogs in a machine, we see them take on new challenges, innovate, and invest their energy in the company’s success.But beyond this, recognition builds trust and allows employees to take on new responsibilities, empowering them to grow in their role rather than placing a limit on potential. Trust and recognition are a fundamental part of the company culture in organizations where employees stay the longest.Why Investing in Talent Pays Off in the Long TermInvesting in your employees is a long-term strategy to strengthen your organization. The cost of high turnover—recruitment, training, lost productivity—far outweighs the expense of developing the talent you already have.Companies that focus on employee growth benefit from the accumulated knowledge, experience, and loyalty of long-term employees, leading to a stronger organization. So, the next time you are asked how you can reduce employee churn, ask yourself the opposite. What can we all do to help employees stay?

OCTOBER 7–9, 2024

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