<i>For every issue I have to address, I have that many more instances of experience dealing with something like that. Many more iterations of similar patterns to draw from.</i><p>I wholeheartedly agree.  I'm 43, and have worked in IT for about 20 years.  Even in that span of time I've seen the same ideas gain popularity, fade, then return again (under another name, or in newer packaging, but fundamentally the same old concepts).  Gives you a lot of perspective to be able to avoid getting caught up in the breathless enthusiasm  of younger people returning from the latest conference or trade show.