I can already hear my kids rejoicing in the background as I type these words, but stop blaming them for what exactly?
I’ve always found the ‘inter-generational’ rivalry interesting. How as we age we no longer seem to connect with those younger than us. Maybe it’s out of fear, or because it’s easy we begin to blame things on them. Whether it’s millennials and their avocado toast getting blamed for the housing affordability crisis, or Gen Z being called the generation that eats Tide pods (IYKYK), where does this all come from?
Deep down I think it comes from a need to feel like we know better, that the version of the world as we know it is the best version. That we don’t need to change or move on. Because if the world continues to change rapidly and move on without us, we become irrelevant. Our thoughts and ideas become quietened by the noise of the new, and that can be a terrifying thought. Change and our inability to cope with it is scary.
But what if instead of fearing it and throwing blame around we learned to embrace it? What if we learned to get curious?
As people who dream of creating an impact in the world, we have a responsibility—a responsibility to remain relevant in our field and in the world. Why? Because if we don’t, we risk becoming obsolete, tossed aside like yesterday’s news. The world we live in is evolving, and we must evolve with it.
We’re facing adaptive challenges—complex problems that require innovative solutions. The old ways of doing things won’t cut it anymore. The world has changed socially, economically, technologically, and philosophically. So, what does that mean for us? It means we need to think differently. We need to explore the edges, play outside the box, and embrace new perspectives.
Sure, your experience and achievements so far are impressive. But let me tell you, resting on your laurels won’t get you far. You must overlay your existing knowledge with a curiosity that keeps you hungry for more. Be prepared to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The half-life of a skill has dropped to just six years! It’s time to acquire new skills, to become valuable resources in the future.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlighted the top skills needed: complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, and coordinating with others. These are the skills that will set you apart and keep you relevant. As Marshall Goldsmith wisely said, “What got you here won’t get you there.”
Your competitive advantage lies in your ability to think. Thinking is your superpower in a world that demands curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Embrace the opportunities of the future by continually updating your toolkit. Invest in your thinking. Embrace diversity of opinion and knowledge.
Staying interested and interesting is key. It’s not just about keeping up with the latest trends; it’s about improving the quality of your work and your life. When you stay curious, you tap into your unique brilliance. You accelerate your growth and open doors to new possibilities.
So, right now I want you to commit to remaining relevant. Let’s be the ones who adapt, who tackle complexity head-on, and who connect with the right people to drive change. It’s up to us to shape our future and share our brilliance with the world. Together, let’s challenge the status quo, push boundaries, and lead the way.
Are you ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead? If you’re really ready to take action, to become the expert that leads your industry through the upcoming uncertainty, to really elevate the way you do business, then you need to have a look at this. I’ve created a place where women in business can come together, solve the problems that have been keeping them stuck and take their businesses to the next level. It’s called Elevate and if you like what I’ve had to say in this newsletter then you’ll probably like what I have to say in Elevate too. Curious? Find out more information here.
What are you doing today that is going to keep you relevant to your ideal clients?
Janine x