Embracing the Inevitable: Navigating Career Changes

How nobody taught us to navigate a lifetime of career changes and what you can do about it.

Many of us grew up when the idea of a single career was prevalent. People and corporations were aligned with this dogma, but the world has been changing rapidly, and what was once a pillar of our work life is not more than a historical illusion.

As someone born in the late 80s, we grew up studying hard to get a proper job and take it from there. Change slightly or adapt our career once or twice during our lifetime ( already a lot more than previous generations ), but not pivot as often as today's world pushes us to.

Little did we know that most of us would come out of university directly to the heart of an economic crisis. The paradigm was different - there were no straight lines into a job, security of a lifelong career was not a promise anymore. And to be fair, our hyperactive nature fueled by tv, video games, The internet, and the rise of connectivity made us have multiple interests and get bored quickly.

Schools, universities, endless career ladders, social pressure. All that pushes us into a single-direction mindset and way of thinking that hinder us in dealing with the constant change and uncertainty of professional reality.

What am I trying to say? Experts say we will have multiple careers over our lifetime, but nobody prepared us to deal with that. We were educated, formatted, and conditioned to give it all on whatever path we take - even if it makes us unhappy.

Like it or not, humans are more prone to choose unhappiness rather than risk; at least one is known.

We will have multiple careers throughout our lifetime. Technology and society develop faster than ever, and what was yesterday a secure and valued job is today an obsolete one performed by technologies or because we don't value it anymore.

This issue does not affect people like me (cof of millennials), but people in every age bracket, even the ones close to retirement.

Developing the skills and resilience to navigate a lifetime of potential career shifts, evolutions, and reinventions is essential.

What can we do in an ever-changing world to create and build different careers through life and better deal with the cycles of transitions?

1. Don't bury your head in the sand

Ignoring or refusing to acknowledge the shifting tides happening in the world will leave you unprepared and vulnerable. Embracing change and staying informed about it will empower you to adapt and thrive in the face of change.

So, instead of burying your head in the sand, lift it up. Stay proactive, stay curious, and stay ahead of the curve. Your future success depends on it.

2. Continuously build and identify transferable skills

While certain crafts may come with specific skill sets, it's essential to recognize that many of these skills are overarching and can be applied across various industries and roles. 

Moreover, some particular skills possess hidden value and versatility that can be leveraged uniquely. By expanding our understanding of the potential applications of our skills, we can unlock new opportunities and remain adaptable.

3. Future-Proof yourself as much as you can.

In a world where technological innovation rapidly replaces or transforms jobs, it's strategic to future-proof yourself. While technical skills can be easily automated or replaced, it's crucial to identify the unique magic that only you can bring to your work. 

What sets you apart from algorithms and machines? By cultivating and enhancing those qualities, you can establish a competitive advantage that is difficult to replace. 

Continuously check your skill set and identify areas where you can evolve and update. By embracing lifelong learning, you can remain relevant and resilient in the face of change.

4. Create possible future mes

Instead of limiting our options, we should embrace playfulness and explore opportunities before us. What else could you do? We can unlock new paths and possibilities by envisioning unique combinations and blends of skills, interests, and experiences. 

Consider the narrative or story of your life and where it is taking you. What could the following chapters look like? 

We can shape our future selves by actively nurturing our imagination and refusing to get caught without ideas. It's a process of creative self-discovery that can offer you a blueprint for your life.

5. Cultivate resilience to change and make it a fun process

Change is an inevitable and constant part of life. To navigate it, it is essential to cultivate resilience and make the change process fun and transformative. 

We can embrace change instead of resisting or fearing it and build a positive relationship. 

Developing resilience means we must equip ourselves with the tools to adapt, bounce back, and thrive in uncertainty. Embracing change can be seen as an exciting opportunity for growth, learning, and self-discovery. Together, we can transform the transition into a catalyst for personal and professional evolution, making the process doable and fun.

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