Learn, Earn, Return

 

Some people say you should break down your life into three parts.  Learn until you enter the workforce.  Earn until you retire.  Give (or return) when you've retired.  I'm not so sure I agree.  Seems to me that while there may be some merit to this thinking, I believe that working on all three - always be learning, always be earning and always be returning - makes a lot more sense. 

  

I know that those who study these types of things are probably right that dividing these behaviors into big chucks is "natural" and in line with even how our physiology works, but I'm more for putting these three behaviors in somewhat balanced play throughout our entire life. It just seems to make more sense.  Think about this.  While I can see that in a broad sense money is harder to earn at an early age and at an older age, although if done right we can have a greater ROI in our older years that in our mid ones, there's great value in pushing the limits at each end of the age spectrum.

 

The same is true with learning.  The newest research shows that our brains are built to go for an amazing length of time and it's becoming more and more clear that the adage "use it or lose it" really does apply.  And what about the Return?  Sure, when we're young it may seem that we don't have as much to give because we're pretty busy on the "taking" side of things, but aren't we really giving a lot too?  Even from a very young age we give a lot...just because we're cute, we make folks feel good. That's giving, isn't it?  And how important is it to learn throughout our life the benefits of giving? 

 

So back to being on a steady diet everyday of Learn, Earn, and Return.  I see this as vitally important for companies too.  When I have a chance to study or even better, personally observe strong, vitally important organizations big and small, I can see that they have a balance of Learn, Earn and Return.  And nowhere is that more evident then in companies that employ young emerging leaders.  When there isn't a balance of Learn, Earn, Return there's sure to be indicators that things aren't going in the right direction.

 

So how do we find the right balance? I suggest measuring. Several years ago my husband got more and more into running. Now anyone who has run knows that there are folks who intensely measure their time and those who don't.  There are those who set race goals who plan to run for the rest of their lives, and those who push so hard they are likely to burn out and/or do harm to their bodies that won't show up for years.  My husband was somewhat of a hybrid.  Of course various races and even marathons were an important goal, but he hated to measure and yet was still pretty competitive.  Over the years he has not only learned to measure, but has learned that proper measuring, not just time and distance, maximizing how the body responds to proper measuring and applying effort gets better results that are sustainable for years.  Observance of this further supports my theory that while things can be observed and categorized in "big chunks", it's ALWAYS better to break things down into manageable, measurable parts.

 

So how about you?  Are you content and more productive living within the big pattern, or do you think that a steady diet of Learn, Earn, Return is the way to go?

 

Come join our discussion on our blog or I welcome your feedback through email.  

 

Balducci's Food Lovers Market operates eight locations from the areas of Washington, DC to Fairfield County, CT.  The gourmet markets occupy spaces of 10,000 sq.ft. to 20,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, mixed-use and strip centers, as well as downtown areas.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout CT, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA, with representation by Consolidated Affiliates, LLC.  The company also operates as a gourmet on the go, café concept, and is seeking sites of 2,500 sq.ft. in Manhattan, NY. For more information, contact Dan Ansbach, Consolidated Affiliates, LLC One Woodbridge Center, Suite 435, Woodbridge, NJ 07905

Wendy's International, Inc. trades as Wendy's at over 6,500 locations nationwide, as well as internationally. The fast food restaurants occupy freestanding buildings on land areas of 25,000 sq.ft. to 40,000 sq.ft. or 3,900 sq.ft. buildings with a drive-thru on pad sites.  Growth opportunities are sought nationwide during the coming 18 months. Preferred demographics include a population of 35,000 within three miles. Preferred average daily traffic counts are 18,000 vehicles. For more information, contact Greg Marsh, Wendy's International Inc., 40 Shuman Boulevard, Suite 130, Naperville, IL 60563