Tag Archives: flexibility

HOW YOU LOOK AT LIFE CAN DETERMINE HOW YOU NAVIGATE CHANGE

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#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #jobs #careers #EmbracingChange #optimism #flexibility #Imagination
An old question asks: Do you see the glass as half full, or half empty?
As AI advances, that question could be very important to your prosperity, or even survival.
We all know that AI is coming. We all know it will change things as we know them. We don’t know how it will change us.
It could be the best thing to ever happen. It also could be the worst. But, as has been discussed, circumstances do not define us. How we react to them does.
We’ve also discussed the importance of optimism and flexibility. We should add imagination into the mix.
You may never have imagined doing X. But, what if you did? How will it benefit you? How will it help you navigate changing times?
If you see changes around you, try to navigate them before you are forced to.
That may require imagining yourself doing something you never thought you would
It’s hard to give specifics here, because we really don’t know what’s coming. If you fear the unknown, chances are you may be left out. If you anticipate the unknown, you might be able to live through it. If you embrace the unknown, you could be a winner on the other side.
Change will be constant. You may have to reroute your path many times. You may advance to one thing, but that thing may be obsolete shortly after you achieve it.
Currently, people are hired for job X, but that changes to job Y shortly after.
Jobs X and Y may soon be done by machines, and you then have to think about doing job Z, which could also change.
You can look at this pattern and see chaos and turmoil. But, amid most chaos and turmoil, there is opportunity.
It may be hard to find at first, but those who will succeed never stop looking for it.
In this new age, pigeonholes become rabbit holes. Going with the flow will be not just desirable, but necessary for success.
Remember that going with the flow is different from coasting. Those who coast will be toast. Those who go with the flow may find challenging paths, but still take them.
Machines can’t do everything people can do. If you have what seems to you to be a mechanical job, it will probably be obsolete soon.
AI should be rightly feared. At the same time, it must be embraced. Those unafraid to walk into scary situations will benefit the most from it. Those who continue to fear it will not.
AI can be like an infectious disease. You may not know when, or whether, you will be affected by it. But, vaccinating yourself so that you can navigate it will help you find your path within it.
Contentment with the status quo is deadly. Fearing the unknown is normal. Constantly looking for your correct path amid the changes will be absolutely necessary.
So, rather than worry, scurry. Rather than wait for the inevitable, look for the incredible. The unknown can be scary. But, properly navigating it can be merry.
Peter

RETIRE ASAP? GO FOR IT!

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#EarlyRetirement #retirement #jobs #work #time
Are you planning, or would you like to, retire early?
Most, probably, would say, “of course.”
Others don’t plan to retire, unless forced to.
Still others would insist on a definition of “early.”
Wes Moss, who writes a Money Matters column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and has a same-titled radio show on WSB radio in Atlanta, gives five reasons to retire as soon as possible. He discussed them in his Oct. 10, 2021, column.
Moss’ five reasons: drive time, no love lost for your job, a roller-coaster schedule, a lack of recognition for what you do and being capped out in terms of financial advancement.
Let’s talk about each of these. First, commuting can be a bear. It takes time from your life as a whole, it adds stress to your body and it’s costly, in terms of fuel and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.
Moss also says that grueling commutes can cause stress in a marriage. According to one study, people who drive at least 45 minutes each way to work are 40 percent more likely to get a divorce, Moss writes.
Work-from-home, or remote-working trends inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic may change commuting patterns for the long term. If your employer is flexible in this area, you might decide to work longer. Think of having a beach house, or mountain cabin, from which you could work. Would that interest you?
Perhaps you don’t really love your job, or even like it, as Moss points out. Would working from home change that perception? If you are just grinding out a living at a job that, to be kind, doesn’t inspire you, Moss suggests perhaps finding a new way to parlay your skills by consulting, or starting your own business.
Remote-working options may alleviate another of Moss’ concerns – the roller-coaster schedule. Many people have jobs in which they have to be on site at specific times. Those times could vary from week to week, turning one’s body clock upside down. If you have one of those jobs, chances are you don’t like it. If you can get out sooner, you should.
Being recognized for your good work is also important. Your boss saying nice things about you and your work are fine, but you probably need more tangible rewards. If those are not forthcoming, maybe it’s time to go.
You may also be at the very end of the pay scale for your job category. If so, then ask yourself: am I just marking time for my pension? Or, especially if there is no pension, could I go somewhere else and advance financially? If you are at the top of your pay scale, you may be near retirement age anyway. If you can afford to retire, do it.
There are many things to learn ahead of “early” retirement regarding health insurance expenses and, more importantly, what you will do with your time.
You also have to study the likelihood, even though it’s tough to predict, whether one day you will come to work and be forcibly retired, or otherwise unemployed. Know that if this happens to you, you are not likely to be forewarned.
So, think about your situation, and do what is best for you. At the same time, realize that there are ways to escape bad work situations, if you need to.
In short, if you like your job, stay as long as they will have you. If you don’t like your job, stay open to other options. They are out there.
Peter