If there's one constant in the world of interactive experiences, it's that things are ever changing. To survive, you have to change. To thrive, you have to embrace change and stay current.

What do I do to stay current?

For starters, I follow the pull of curiosity for things around me. But that alone isn't enough. There are other things I do consciously to try to stay on top.

Read. I can't emphasize this enough: Read, read more, and read still more. While I fall short of reading everything, I do try.
- Books. The old-fashioned paper kind, e-Books, whatever. I like to read about User Experience, emerging technologies, current topics of concern (e.g., security), effective management, general business trends, global social trends. I'm also interested in the history of innovation and design.
- Newspapers & Magazines. Paper and on-line. General news, technology (I particularly enjoy the Thursday Tech section in The New York Times), global trends.
- Blogs and micro-blogs. Every day, I have my morning coffee as I peruse the latest blogs and tweets from industry leaders I admire.
Work. At any given moment, the job I'm working on usually requires more than a cookie-cutter solution. I'm of service to my clients if I know what the latest tools are in the shed.
Play. With apps, with devices. Try to out-smart the kids with new games. (Good luck with that.)
Go to conferences. I particularly like those that are slightly outside the lines, such as Mark Hurst's Good Experience Live (GEL) seminars. Mr. Hurst really gets that to have a feel for good computer/device experiences, it's best to be steeped in good experiences of all kinds.
Use social media. Blog. Comment on blogs. (I generally don't tweet. The form is too short for me. But I admire those who are good at it.) Make Vine vignettes. Consume the comments on consumer sites, and contribute your own.
Talk to young people. I have two children who live at home. They think fast, multi-process, have no fear of devices, and learn by doing. While my tendency is to avoid making mistakes, theirs is to jump in and learn from the mistakes. (I'm trying to be more like them.) They acquire new vocabulary rapidly, not just for standard test prep but by soaking up an elaborate lexicon and syntax rooted in social media. Do you know how to use "swag," "kay-kay," "ratchet" and "cray-cray" with a straight face? The English language is expanding more rapidly than at any time since Shakespeare, IMHO. (Word-up.)
Talk to old people. Staying current isn't just about all the new things. It's also about acknowledging and incorporating what previous generations did so well. Such as: Write with elegance, find the right word, listen intently, reward excellence. What would happen if we combined the swag of the young with the thoughtfulness of the old? It's so crazy it might work.
Remind myself daily: Be open to fresh ideas and knowledge. I have years of experience and am confident I can tackle complex problems. A key ingredient is staying current.

That’s some of what I do. What about you?