THE REVOLUTION OF LIFE
We are now on the precipice of the most interesting and lucrative time we potentially will ever experience. The Great Reset*, or the way I see it the Great Release. A release from the way your world was, to what it can be.
For decades we’ve all over consumed; we’re all guilty in one way or another. We’ve had the party and now we will have to pay for it. Sound negative? It isn’t! This is your golden opportunity to redefine how you work and live – your WorkLife. Now is the perfect time to pay yourself a visit. Stand back, reflect, re-align and recycle. What is important to you? What do you need VS what do you want? What are your aspirations for 2021 and beyond? Do you need more harmony both personally and within business?
Resetting means we’re taking time to recharge and come back better. The last 9 months have acted as the beginning of a reset for many. For all of the chaos 2020 has brought, I believe it has made us all appreciate the small things, the simple pleasures. Gatherings, family, nature, the list goes on. Just think about how much more time you’ve spent with those in your household and what you and they have all learnt.
What’s happening next?
20 years ago, post dot com crash, I was asked by a number of people what’s next? I said, ‘The Revolution of Life’. So, what does that mean?
Consumerism is disappearing, people are going to be living more consciously. Capitalism as we knew it has disappeared – we are now in the rise of Life Capitalism™. How we lived is past tense, precision living is coming into play. We will all need to be living in a more refined, precise way. We will all be developing new rituals and routines and become more conscious of the way we live – a conscious lifestyle. We need to re-evaluate our consumption choices. How much do we really need vs what we want? Everyone will have enough.
The revolution of life will allow you to design life on your terms. Life by Design. I have personally been designing my life for the last 10 years and will always continue to do so. Its artistic. We will also see the removal of status anxiety (keeping up with the Jones’). It is time to re-qualify for this new life. What does that mean? Well, think of it this way, it is time to recycle your work and life – your WorkLife. Recycle, replenish and re-use what you have. It is enough.
Remember this?
The rule book has gone out of the window. We have huge parts of the economy static or worse still removed, forever? It is a situation of boom and bust. Who will boom and who will bust?
Think back, it wasn’t that long ago that;
Small boutiques, bakery’s, greengrocers would only take cash, now everything is contactless. This is the rise of digital currency; money is becoming a utility!
You’re now not sure when or how to plan for that next holiday? Staycations are a thing of the future. Who is considering trading in your ‘business’ car for a camper van? I know I am!
Vast amounts of the leisure and entertainment industry are in a precarious position. Will the Westend ever open in the same way? Wimbledon? Live concerts?
We are all working from home, through the Glassroom – before this was classed as a luxury for the chosen few. For those out of work, have you realized that the interview is a thing of the past? You are now taking part in an audition.
Pubs are shut and some won’t ever reopen, or only under new rules. I am predicting it is taken one step further, I believe alcohol will be regulated. If I had said this 9 months ago, I think everyone would think I was crazy…
The pace of time
Through the haze of confusion, there is change being implemented at every level. I believe there will be a huge number of positives to take from this, as we leave consumption behind, it is time to evaluate, re-align and adapt. Technology is advancing at a rate that is beyond comprehension. I’ve been saying for months the pace of change has accelerated; I know I am not alone when I question what happened last week.
In the new world.
1 day is a week
1 week is a month
1 month is a quarter
1 quarter is a year
In short, the pace of change means, in the next 10 years we are going to advance 40 years as humans and 100 years technically. This is the evolution of the human. Where the marriage between the human and the technology - technology will be working for the human.
If technology works for the human, what is the human going to do? Well, new jobs and industry sectors will be created but be left under no illusions certain verticals will never come back. Working 5 days a week will be a thing of the past. No one will be working in days, we will all be working Cyber Hours.
To thrive in the new world; it’s time to be creative. The currency of the 21st century is the way you think. There will be more entrepreneurs over the next ten years than there has ever been. The luxury goods market will boom as we become more selective over what we buy, quality is key. What will you do with all your time? The leisure and beauty industry will excel! We will all want to look, feel and do the best we can do.
On 12th March 2020 a paper was released by The Bank of England around digital currency.** It was all about how households and businesses could make payments using a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). I’m not going to go into detail now but rest assured that if you’re talking about money in a few years’ time people will start to laugh at you. Money is evaporating. Capitalitus is going to become a thing of the past.
Biometrics, robots, drones, facial recognition software will be at the head of fighting crime. I predict that we will see a reduction in crime as technology advances. There are many reports out there, but The University of San Diego has covered many of these off in one article. ***
The government is looking towards a greener future. It wasn’t that long ago that they announced two new power plants in the UK. Not for nuclear. Not for natural gas. Not for traditional fossil fuels. This was for carbon hydrogen production plants.**** Maybe the next Prime Minister's question time will be a bit more explosive?
The current system is non-supportive of all of this. We need to create our own new normal, now is the time to advance at the same pace that the system is advancing, or you’ll get left behind.
Pleasure pain is hedonism
The 20th century has always been about needing, wanting, working for more. The 21st century will be about what you need. We will all be living a more conscious lifestyle. We will all be measured as a society, so we will need to learn to become more efficient with our time, resources and energy. Ancient principles around good rituals and routines will mean that you can achieve great things in small blocks of time. Change one thing a day, coupled with the pace of change, the difference you’ll see will be life changing– trust me.
What’s in it you/us/society?
I can’t stress this enough - Opportunity. More choice. More Money. More Time.
2021 is where we move from the old world to the new. The way you think will define you. Gut feel and instinct are key. Use your senses! Strategic decision making will be an art, a talent. Create individuality while working collaboratively with those who you chose to. Remember, you are as good as the company you keep.
Is there something you’ve always wanted but been too afraid to ask for?
Your time is now! Take charge of your own destiny.
An opportunity is never missed, only taken by someone else.
Be Positive.
A ‘can do’ attitude is entry point; you’ll need to go beyond that.
Become a meta thinker - the new realm of decision maker
Fortune favours the decisive. So, get up, get active, get on.
And lastly; Humanity is precious and always was, sometimes we just lose connection with it.
Written by
Paul Stephenson, WorkLife architect, transformational guide and futurist.
*The Great Reset Charles Scwabb and Theirry Mallary
***https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/10-innovative-police-technologies/