The Coronavirus crisis has practically forced the world to evaluate or alter its future outlook.
Almost a decade ago, my book about life-work planning titled "Rich Life: Creating Meaningful Wealth" was published by Anvil Philippines.
I revisited the book recently and discovered a few ideas that are relevant to the life-work issues we face today. When I wrote the story, Facebook was still relatively new. Sharing it here...
Conquering the digital world
Since computers and the Internet invaded the world, things have never been the same. It seems that the industrial age has now given way to the digital age. That being said, you can expect fundamental changes in the world of work.
For example, don’t be surprised if social networking could be the ticket to your next job. Or perhaps, you may even find yourself a digital boss that you haven’t even met in person. Surreal as this may sound, it is already happening.
Computers are also performing tasks that used to be done by humans. You may discover that a talking machine just replaced the lady who used to give your mall parking ticket. So where does this leave humans?
In order to survive, there is a constant need to innovate not only products but yourself as well. If you are used to clocking in at work, you may need to re-adjust expectations according to the needs of the moment. You may also want to learn new things in order to become better. Life is a continuous improvement, they say.
If you managed to go along with the changing tide, perhaps you are not at all too fearful about the future. For some people, it is their faith that keeps things in perspective. People cope in different ways. Ultimately, you may be surprised to find that all the professional mayhem connects to a spiritual thread. Troubling times can bring out the best in people’s characters.
Understanding the digital life
The industrial age brought men and women away from their homes as big corporations set up their businesses. It was also the era of material inventions that led to radical changes in lifestyle. The introduction of telephone, radio and television connected people in ways that the previous generation may not have immediately foreseen or expected.
The digital era that erupted in the nineties has made geometrical leaps in connecting people and lives. Nowadays, a person need not be confined to an office and building in order to do his work. A laptop on hand can do wonders. It has never been easier to balance family and work. However, a person without a clear sense of priorities will always find himself struggling for peace.
Downsizing big corporations has been a phenomenon that may indicate the industrial era’s twilight years. Although some big companies are meant to remain, there may be other realities to consider. As people fight to keep their jobs, it also becomes imperative to assimilate and comprehend the times.
There are trends that point to a future lifestyle that is self-contained. Authors Alvin & Heidi Toffler coined the word “Prosumer Economy” to define a future non-monetary type of system where people produce and consume their own goods. This idea seems akin to the barter trade economy of ancient times but with more emphasis on personal sustainability and satisfaction than trading goods per se.
While the above trend may be hard to grasp at the present moment, we can also look at barter arrangements that have been cropping up. In the United States where the recession is deeply felt, people have considered exchanging services with each other. For example, a TV news report once featured an interior designer who decided to trade services with a hairdresser.
Backyard gardening is making a comeback. There has also been growth towards online, contractual and part-time work as a result of cost-cutting measures by big corporations, not to mention digital advancements over the past few years.
More flexible work structures have made it possible for many people to integrate their lives into their work. A stay home mother now has a better chance of finding extra work while taking care of her children. A father of a family accomplishes much from his laptop. Even a disabled person may now find employment with the use of his hands and the phone.
If you still don’t know where to begin, perhaps getting some computer knowledge and education would be a start. There are no age limits. Everyone is welcome to enter the digital world as long as they are willing to open their minds. However, computers have limitations. In the end, it is the person’s creative ability to navigate the digital life that will make a difference.
Evolving life-work structures
No one has a crystal ball to ascertain how the future will eventually turn out. However, there are a few developing trends in the Philippines:
= The proliferation of call centers in the country has developed a unique 24/7 culture where family lifestyles have been altered drastically. For example, a father of a family who works graveyard shifts may find it a challenge to stay in sync with the rest of his family when he is mostly asleep during the day.
= The Internet is fast replacing the television set and newspapers as free sources of public information. It has also allowed access to information from around the world, at a click of a button. This has made the global community within virtual reach and a place where many job (and other) opportunities can be discovered.
= Retrenchment has led many workers to reconsider other avenues for earning a living, not necessarily direct employment. For some people, the quest for multiple income streams has become the preferred path rather than receiving a single fixed income paycheck. Consulting, freelancing and entrepreneurial possibilities have grown over the years.
= While the global recession has affected many Western economies, the domestic economy in the Philippines has remained resilient. Entrepreneurs and aspiring businessmen alike can take advantage of the country’s substantially young working population to buoy the local market.
= Lower incomes or other personal reasons have forced parents to reconsider education options for their children. Home schooling is a continuing trend and will impact the way children will view their future world of work. Corporate career ambition may be replaced by an apprenticeship mentality among those who were taught at home. This could possibly bring us back full circle to the time when children learned certain skills and crafts from their parents and forefathers, that also served as their own source of livelihood.
= For those who have chosen to remain in scholastic institutions, there also appears a need to revolutionize many existing institutions in order to make them more relevant to digital times. Environmental awareness and stewardship also need to be incorporated in the curriculum. Future graduates also need to be equipped with life skills to help them cope with changing times. These gigantic requirements offer career opportunities for many innovative educators.
= There has been a growing exodus of mothers who pursue work opportunities abroad. This has greatly weakened the Filipino family structure and will translate to society issues later on. For example, many crimes on drugs or causes of teenage pregnancy can often be traced to the absence of a strong family support system. While technology has made great strides in connecting people and their families, physical presence and concern of both parents remain irreplaceable.
= Global warming and other threats to the environment have spawned a whole new industry in clean energy. This is one good moment to consider a career shift if you are keenly interested in the topic.
= Catastrophic calamities brought about by global warming and other factors have also opened fresh opportunity for architects, urban planning specialists and the like to plan cities that are coherent with green technology, flood management, earthquake/tsunami readiness, and other new environmental realities.
= Advancements in computer technology and other digital realities have given individuals greater freedom to structure their own life-work patterns. There has never been a greater time to create the life and work you have always dreamed of.
Uncertain or troubling times offer many opportunities for greatness. The present moment is one unique time in history where there is so much to lose and also so much to gain.
Your perspective will spell the difference whether your life can finally make an impact. Each person has been innately equipped with talent and potential that has been entrusted to him. It is your role to discover them and to make your life and spirit grow.
You have one rich life to live. Let the adventure begin.
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Postscript: The Coronavirus crisis has kept mankind at home and on its knees. It is a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate our choices and life-work options. Hopefully, the above ideas that were written almost a decade ago can help jump start the process.
