The Department of Labor estimates that most workers' skills become outdated in 30 to 36 months. That means that even though you went to school and got that degree, or received training from your company, in less than three years you may be obsolete.

        And obsolete employees are the first to be knocked off the fast track, shoved down the corporate ladder, and ignored when raises and promotions are passed around.

        So what can an employee do to remain vital in today's fast-paced business world?

        First, remember that you're never too old — or too young — to learn something. That means that if you're mid-career or just starting out, you need to constantly be open to experiences and ideas that will help you grow as a person and as a worker.

        As American educator Louis E. Boone once said: “Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have and should have.”

        So how do you keep your skills current in today's workplace? Begin by opening your mind and looking at the same old job in a whole new way.

        Try:

        • Keeping a journal with you throughout the day. Use it to jot down ideas you have about how to make a process work better, problems that continue to crop up, even ways to make the office more pleasant. Don't worry that the idea sounds outrageous or silly. Remember that some people thought Bill Gates was nuts.

        Then, periodically review your ideas. You'll be surprised how many ideas you can come up with when you're not concerned about being judged by others. That's the first step to bringing ideas from your journal to real life.

        • Opening your mind to new ideas. Before jumping in with “that will never work,” give yourself time to consider ideas proposed by others, or something that you have read about. Maybe it won't work exactly the way it was suggested, but that doesn't mean you can't add your creative juices to the effort to get it working.

        • Reviewing failures. Look at what ideas you or others had in the past and try to figure out why those efforts were not successful. Then let your mind wander. Could this idea be saved somehow? Maybe just a kernel of the failure project will exist by the time you're through, but perhaps next time you'll be able to jump in with ideas sooner.

        • Thinking aloud. The next time you get together with associates, try sharing your thoughts with others without taking rejections personally. Being more open with co-workers helps them be more open with you, and establishes a trusting relationship that generates better ideas.

        • Being quiet. Shut yourself off somewhere, away from phones, people and other distractions. Then focus on one issue or concern. Write down every idea that pops into your head. Concentrating hard on one subject allows your brain to come up with what you need to do next.

        • Having fun. Let go of the procedures, manuals and other controls that rule your life and have some fun. When work is getting you down, find a way to let off steam by going out to lunch with co-workers or pitching pennies on your break.

        The point is to remember that what happens at work is not the end of the world. There always will be successes and failures, but how you handle your reaction to it will determine whether you achieve what you want out of life.

        • Expanding your world. Enroll in a class about art history, attend the opera, take a hot-air balloon ride or learn to tap dance. Just grow beyond your usual boundaries and find how such creative endeavors will spark your imagination at work.

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