There's a hat for that.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're required to learn something new -- something you think you'll never use in your future? Maybe you're a graphic designer and your employer asks you to organize a system for managing projects. Maybe math is your nemesis, but you're required to learn accounting software. Perhaps you've been a stay-at-home mom for years, and then you start a part-time job and you realize your organizational skills are a valuable asset to your employer. In other words, the job description doesn't always dictate the exact nature of what you may be required to do or learn. But you do it, and boom, you've added another skill to your repertoire.

I've worn a lot of hats along my career path. At times, I've questioned the value of something I was asked to take on. What I've realized is that no matter what you have to undertake, you never know when the things you learned in your past will end up becoming a tremendous advantage for your present situation.

Deciding to start a new business at this stage of my life was not necessarily what I saw as the next step, but once it became the best option, I embraced the prospect with excitement and an open mind. Wise Design is the culmination of a lot of hats all coming to rest on the same hat rack. I've learned a lot along the way and nothing is ever wasted. Now I get to put these skills to use as a one-stop resource for a wide variety of possibilities.

The next time you question learning a skill or taking on a project outside of your comfort zone, see it as just adding one more hat to your collection. We're never to old to "hang it up!" I'm excited about what I'm learning even now -- such as designing my own website and starting a blog! I look forward to this next stage of life and using my skills to help others grow their business or go outside their own comfort zones creatively.

So here's to new beginnings and hat's off to Wise Design!