The economy has us quite frustrated. It does not seem to get better in the leaps and bounds we expect it to. Since 2000 we have seen many ups and downs in the stock market, but I do not think that is what is causing this economy to stay messed up. It's a problem of expectations.
K through 70. In the 70s and 80s, when people used to get jobs, it implied that the job was a contract for life or at least for a long period of time. You showed up at work everyday, put in your time, and in return you enjoyed the the promise of steady employment with retirement benefits. Since the mid 90s, slowly this security got eroded. Employers could not guarantee job security and people were reluctant to accept this reality. Over the last 20 years, people have come to expect that they will move several jobs in their lifetime. The average tenure at a job in 2010 was 4.4 years, which means that a person may have 8 - 11 job changes in their lifetime! Job changes are no longer the tough part, now we face the next challenge - we need to keep retooling ourselves to stay competitive. The current workforce does not like this reality but will have to accept it. It's do or die, you cannot complain / whine yourself out of it. You have to go back to school and update your skills. K through 12 used to work 20+ years ago, not anymore. In fact, K through 12 and 4/6 years of college will not work either. The new reality is that it's K through 70 - you have to constantly keep updating your skills.
Global Opportunities. Yes, it's a global world and technology has made it happen. The world will get flatter by the day and once again, the sooner we accept that fact, the better. It is for our benefit that we wise up. No use trying to create a security net around us and our business to keep out global competition, we are not isolated anymore. Once we accept this reality, we can take charge. First, we will have to take note of the situation and figure out what we can do to contribute and differentiate. If you are a part of a big organization, you will notice that the leadership structure is no longer the good old pyramid. The organizations have also become quite flat and you have a voice. You have much more information at your disposal to draw your own conclusions and the power to bring about change. Your focus need to shift from 'just being the 9-to-5-plug-n-play employee' to 'this is my contribution to the organization'. You have to be aware of your surroundings and when appropriate seize the opportunity! No, I am not asking you to back-stab others, cheat and rise up the ranks, I am asking you to make yourself valuable to the company with the skills and assets you have. Spend time to understand how the business works and help build the business, in your own way - add value.
Micro Careers and Entrepreneurship. I feel that the environment right now is ripe for micro careers and entrepreneurship. You can make tiny lateral shifts in your career. Add on a skill and make a tiny shift. If you are are a CAD drafter, learn 3-D modeling and move there. Next learn BIM and move on. If your job requires you to stay as a CAD drafter, you will see that your skill level has improved with this additional education. Take on assignments on the side (at home) for 3-D modelling and BIM. Someday you may be able to go on your own and start your own full-fledged business with the new skill, or you may find that your company will change their mind and make you the next BIM manager! Companies are also realizing that the shelf life of their product or service solution is limited. They feel the need to innovate and sometimes cannot figure out how to go about it. It is in the employee's advantage to self train on a new skill and be ready when the company needs it or when the opportunity presents itself just change jobs!
Entitlement Culture. Live within your means. This is also a problem in our current day and age. Seems like we always want to buy the latest gadget and by the time it gets delivered to our door, its already outdated! I think we need to focus on what we actually need and not on the thrills of the moment. Do we really need a palatial home and eight computers for a family of four? What happened to the good old advice of knowing how much you earn, spend less than you make, boost your income if you can, don't try to keep up with the Joneses, have an emergency fund / nest egg, and save up to buy something you really desire instead of just buying with credit? These words of wisdom is not new, but somehow it seems that over the last few decades we have been lulled into taking useless risks that we should not have, and then developed an expectation to be saved! We shout that life is unfair when we have to face the music, but have conveniently forgotten that we were indeed part of the band playing that tune just a few years ago. We reap what we sow - it's a hard lesson, but we have to go through this tough phase and grow up!
It all comes back to setting our expectations to reality. We need to be a Realist and an Optimist. No, the sky is not falling on our heads, we are just going through a phase and this too shall pass. Look at this as a learning opportunity and do not confuse wishing and wanting with pursuing. Take the time to figure out what is worth wishing and wanting in the first place. Dream, for only you have the power and authority to build your dream. You have the power to change the course, do not waste the time looking back. Take charge of your situation, however dismal it may appear at the moment, reset your expectations and build from a solid foundation.
K through 70. In the 70s and 80s, when people used to get jobs, it implied that the job was a contract for life or at least for a long period of time. You showed up at work everyday, put in your time, and in return you enjoyed the the promise of steady employment with retirement benefits. Since the mid 90s, slowly this security got eroded. Employers could not guarantee job security and people were reluctant to accept this reality. Over the last 20 years, people have come to expect that they will move several jobs in their lifetime. The average tenure at a job in 2010 was 4.4 years, which means that a person may have 8 - 11 job changes in their lifetime! Job changes are no longer the tough part, now we face the next challenge - we need to keep retooling ourselves to stay competitive. The current workforce does not like this reality but will have to accept it. It's do or die, you cannot complain / whine yourself out of it. You have to go back to school and update your skills. K through 12 used to work 20+ years ago, not anymore. In fact, K through 12 and 4/6 years of college will not work either. The new reality is that it's K through 70 - you have to constantly keep updating your skills.
Global Opportunities. Yes, it's a global world and technology has made it happen. The world will get flatter by the day and once again, the sooner we accept that fact, the better. It is for our benefit that we wise up. No use trying to create a security net around us and our business to keep out global competition, we are not isolated anymore. Once we accept this reality, we can take charge. First, we will have to take note of the situation and figure out what we can do to contribute and differentiate. If you are a part of a big organization, you will notice that the leadership structure is no longer the good old pyramid. The organizations have also become quite flat and you have a voice. You have much more information at your disposal to draw your own conclusions and the power to bring about change. Your focus need to shift from 'just being the 9-to-5-plug-n-play employee' to 'this is my contribution to the organization'. You have to be aware of your surroundings and when appropriate seize the opportunity! No, I am not asking you to back-stab others, cheat and rise up the ranks, I am asking you to make yourself valuable to the company with the skills and assets you have. Spend time to understand how the business works and help build the business, in your own way - add value.
Micro Careers and Entrepreneurship. I feel that the environment right now is ripe for micro careers and entrepreneurship. You can make tiny lateral shifts in your career. Add on a skill and make a tiny shift. If you are are a CAD drafter, learn 3-D modeling and move there. Next learn BIM and move on. If your job requires you to stay as a CAD drafter, you will see that your skill level has improved with this additional education. Take on assignments on the side (at home) for 3-D modelling and BIM. Someday you may be able to go on your own and start your own full-fledged business with the new skill, or you may find that your company will change their mind and make you the next BIM manager! Companies are also realizing that the shelf life of their product or service solution is limited. They feel the need to innovate and sometimes cannot figure out how to go about it. It is in the employee's advantage to self train on a new skill and be ready when the company needs it or when the opportunity presents itself just change jobs!
Entitlement Culture. Live within your means. This is also a problem in our current day and age. Seems like we always want to buy the latest gadget and by the time it gets delivered to our door, its already outdated! I think we need to focus on what we actually need and not on the thrills of the moment. Do we really need a palatial home and eight computers for a family of four? What happened to the good old advice of knowing how much you earn, spend less than you make, boost your income if you can, don't try to keep up with the Joneses, have an emergency fund / nest egg, and save up to buy something you really desire instead of just buying with credit? These words of wisdom is not new, but somehow it seems that over the last few decades we have been lulled into taking useless risks that we should not have, and then developed an expectation to be saved! We shout that life is unfair when we have to face the music, but have conveniently forgotten that we were indeed part of the band playing that tune just a few years ago. We reap what we sow - it's a hard lesson, but we have to go through this tough phase and grow up!
It all comes back to setting our expectations to reality. We need to be a Realist and an Optimist. No, the sky is not falling on our heads, we are just going through a phase and this too shall pass. Look at this as a learning opportunity and do not confuse wishing and wanting with pursuing. Take the time to figure out what is worth wishing and wanting in the first place. Dream, for only you have the power and authority to build your dream. You have the power to change the course, do not waste the time looking back. Take charge of your situation, however dismal it may appear at the moment, reset your expectations and build from a solid foundation.
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