I think the true nature of 40-somethings called "middle-aged people who don't learn" is just a fear of failure

Hello, this is Ponzu.

"Middle-aged people who don't learn are a nuisance." This is a phrase I often hear, both online and in real life.

But what has always bothered me is the question, "Why do they stop learning?"

I don't think it's a matter of ability. My former boss was smart, too. But he wouldn't look things up himself. He wouldn't try things out himself.

By observing the reasons for this, I arrived at an answer.

I'm going to talk about that today.

40-somethings have too many things they want to learn and not enough time

I currently work in AI promotion at a Prime-listed company. AI-related information flows in every day, and just keeping up with it is a struggle.

It's not just that; there's how to use IT tools, knowledge about legal matters, and courses on Udemy that catch my eye. My to-do list keeps growing, with no sign of shrinking.

I even ask my son (in 4th grade) things like, "How do you do this?" without hesitation, like how to record TV shows. My son gives me a look like, "Wait, you don't know that?" but if I don't know, I don't know.

And it made me wonder: what is the difference between me, who can ask anyone anything like this, and adults who can't?

The true nature of 40-somethings who lack motivation at work was "a self that cannot forgive failure"

Watching my former boss, I noticed something. That person would receive reports and just keep asking for reports. He wouldn't look things up himself. He wouldn't try things out himself. That's why he never learned anything.

Moreover, he would dump work on others and demand reports at every step. Because he didn't understand it himself, he couldn't even judge if things were progressing. So it became, "Just report to me for now." He might think it's management, but it's probably just a reflection of his own anxiety.

Also, many people make excuses to stick to their own ways. Saying things like, "It worked before," or "This is how our department does it." I understand the feeling. But I think that's just because they are afraid of trying something new and failing.

At first, I thought, "Maybe they don't have the desire to learn." But after observing them closely, I think that's not it.

It goes without saying that if you try something new, you will fail. But they cannot forgive their own failures. They are afraid to say "I can't do it" when they are already in their 40s. They are embarrassed to be taught by someone younger.

So, they repeat only the work they are certain they can do. They don't leave their comfort zone. As a result, they appear to be "middle-aged people who don't learn."

I believe the true nature of it is not that they "don't learn," but that they "cannot forgive their own failures."

Repeating the same work actually kills your motivation entirely

What I find strange is how people can repeat the same work for years without getting bored.

Doing the same tasks, attending the same meetings, and making the same decisions. It sounds good if you call it stability, but for me, I'd reach my limit in three months. Actually, I start to get sleepy when I do the same thing over and over. I guess it's just my nature; I'm a person who gets bored easily.

When you try new things, naturally, things don't always go well. Sometimes I ask Claude a weird question and get an off-base answer, or I waste an hour on a tool I'm using for the first time.

But that is much more fun. Being able to say 'I can do what I couldn't do before' is something that still makes me happy, even as an adult.

The reason I keep learning isn't because I have a strong will or a desire for self-improvement, but probably because I get bored easily. I just can't stay in the same place. That's all there is to it.

Being a high school graduate who changed jobs six times stripped away my armor of pride

So, why? Why can I ask younger people and even my son without hesitation? To be honest, it's probably because I don't have that armor of pride.

I am a high school graduate. I have also changed jobs six times. Within a listed prime company, in terms of academic background, there is probably no one below me.

That is precisely why I have lived my life as someone on the 'can't do it' side from the beginning. If I don't know something, I ask. If I don't know something, I look it up. That was my only weapon.

It's the same now that I'm working on AI promotion. Asking Claude, 'What does this mean?' or asking a younger team member, 'How do you do that?' is just normal for me.

Being unable to do something is not a shame. That's what I believe. Rather, repeating the same thing forever is more painful. It's boring and lacks stimulation. That is much tougher.

An atmosphere where you can say 'I can't do it' is created by the boss

This also applies to management.

When I teach something to my subordinates, I first talk about my own failures. I say, 'I couldn't do this at all at first either.' When I do that, it seems the other person feels, 'It's okay if I can't do it either.'

An atmosphere where people can ask questions is created by those in charge. If a boss pretends to be perfect, subordinates cannot say, 'I can't do it.'

If there is someone around you who has 'stopped learning,' that person probably doesn't want to avoid learning, but is just afraid of showing themselves failing.

Conversely, if you feel like you haven't tried anything new lately, why not start by asking someone, 'How do you do this?' about anything at all? It could be a younger person, an AI, your elementary school son, or your wife... I think it doesn't matter who you ask.

Summary for '40-somethings who have no motivation for work'

The true nature of 'middle-aged people who don't learn' is probably 'middle-aged people who cannot forgive their own failures.' Pride gets in the way, so they can't ask, can't touch, and can't move.

Thanks to having worked in a gritty way as a high school graduate, I didn't have that pride. I feel that, as a result, it has become my greatest weapon.

Saying "I can't" is not shameful. For me, repeating the same mistakes is more exhausting.

Well then, if you'll excuse me.🐧