“Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27.

Our oldest son, 19, graduated high school last month. We are very proud of him. He’s a bit nervous, but he’s going to do great in life. He loves the Lord, has a kind heart, and is always willing to try new things.

He’s willing to get outside of his comfort zone and has a strong desire to do better. These two qualities will take him far in life professionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Proverbs 19:27 warns that if we turn our ear from instruction, we will become estranged to knowledge. So, we need to keep listening, keep learning, and keep building our skills, even while developing new skills.

You may be 19, fresh out of high school or 37 passionately mid-career, or 88 and ready to “refire.”

Either way you’re never too young, too old or too ready to be comfortable. You must continue to build skill. This applies to our education, our work and our walk with the Lord.

Here are seven ways you can build skill:

1. Find a mentor.
2. Seek feedback about strengths and weaknesses.
3. Apply that feedback.
4. Set goals for yourself.
5. Develop a plan to accomplish these goals.
6. Try something new.
7. Take training (this can be an online course, or reading a book) in your career field or an interest you have to become more advanced in the area/subject.