Everything I read says that we are entering a new era in employment and what it means to have a fulfilling life. The younger generation is entering the workforce in a time of economic uncertainty, where manufacturing is suffering, and the age of internet marketing is growing. They are questioning what it means to have financial security and meaningful work. Do they want a job that requires them to put in a certain number of hours a day so that they can take a two week vacation each year? Or do they want more control over their lives and how they spend their time?With my kids all at or near the point of entering the workforce, I wonder what choices they will make. As my husband considers early retirement from the 9 to 5 world, I wonder how he can re-create his life to do work around his passions. And following my heart is certainly a direction I've been heading for the last couple of years.
It is a time of exciting possibilities, where one can create the life they want by following their passions. Many books and writers are speaking about this very topic. I was particularly intrigued by Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind," about how the gifts of right-brainers will be in demand in the future. And a new book by Chris Guillebeau, "The Art of Non-Conformity," shows how creating a different kind of life is not as hard as it sounds. If you can get by the nay-sayers, of course.
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
I have always enjoyed reading the work of Alan R. Wallace (BFuniv.com) on Squidoo because he is a visionary and makes me think. In this article, Best Jobs for the Future, he talks about "the emergence of self as the largest employment category for the future."
Alan discusses how the purpose of a college education has changed from personal growth to self-marketing. Real education, however, is based on passion. He talks about perceived boundaries that prevent us from following our dreams and how to knock them down. And he challenges us to rediscover self-directed learning, re-evaluate our consumer lifestyle, and re-imagine our ideal job.
The times are changing, whether we like it or not. Will we be able to adapt?
Great review, Kim! His article really does make one think about all of this in a different light.
ReplyDeleteI think this is spot on, Kim. The world is changing and so is the way we work, and though that involves uncertainty it may be no bad thing. I look forward to discovering more of what Alan has to say and maybe getting hold of one of those books too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a point that needs urgent passion. This goes beyond current employment and career mindsets because the Industrial Revolution has just about run its course, and the Industrial based economies are shrinking.
ReplyDeleteHere in America, our cookie cutter public education concepts need to be totally wrenched free and discarded for something that promotes the creative potential of each individual.
Richard Stohl is dead on when he says the last thing our children need is a computer at every desk. Sure, we need computers, but they are running our lives and we are losing touch with each other. There needs to be a balance, an influx of stimuli from all aspects of life. This is how we excite creativity, this is how we will gain success in our future employment.
We will have to adapt. And for those younger than we are, there's going to be a higher percentage that want to and won't have a problem with it. Our age, not so much, but there are some of us here looking toward that new future with excited anticipation, and even working toward it. Like you, Kim. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Mimi, it is wonderful to find people of "our age" online and learning to adapt.
ReplyDeleteAnd Alex, yes, public education needs to adapt too. I said to my daughter on our cross-country trip that I think our generation pushes our kids into jobs that won't even exist. And she said, "Doesn't every generation do that?" Maybe that's true!
Kim- This really makes you stop and think. I liked especially the part of working 9-5 to get a 2 week vacation. I can't even imagine that kind of job anymore...as I haven't had one of those in a long time. With a gold watch...remember people used to stay at the same job, and retire with a gold watch.
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