Learning new technologies is empowering in a very immediate way, but moving the needle with technology over time requires constant learning. However, I’m not a fan of the metaphor of “keeping up”; it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I’m less interested in the growth of technology, and more interested in growing as a learner.

It’s important to me that when my self-teaching hits an uninteresting patch – which it invariably does sometimes – that I have other ways forward. Even switching media makes a big difference. Having other ways to learn is my way of unblocking my progress toward my learning goals. It also helps that it makes learning more enjoyable.