Too much Information. We are not designed to keep pace with this rapid change. While humans are adaptable, we are not a Computer.
Irrelevance is a daunting human experience. We must ask ourselves, Are we relevant? Is our work impactful? Regardless of our answers, in five years, we will all face irrelevance unless we take action now. Irrelevance is insidious, creeping up slowly and subtly. As we sit here, we may already be falling behind. In the 1900s, information doubled every century; by 1945, it doubled every 25 years. Today, information doubles every 12 hours. We are not designed to keep pace with this rapid change. While humans are adaptable, we are not algorithmic.
Consider Blockbuster, once the king of Friday nights, now eclipsed by Netflix. Kodak, the former film giant, succumbed to digital cameras and smartphones. Taxi companies, once dominant, were disrupted by Uber. These were not mere business failures but failures of people who failed to adapt. They did not implement the necessary practices—rethinking, reigniting, and rebranding—to reinvent themselves. LifeWay research indicates that 81% of Americans believe in a purpose for every life, yet only 59% are living that purpose. This means 47% of the US population are not living a life of purpose and significance. Many do not achieve their desired wealth, realize their dreams, or make the impact they hoped for. The common thread is distraction and failure to keep up with change.
We live in an era where smartphones anticipate our needs and artificial intelligence composes music and poetry. Moore’s Law permeates our lives, yet we remain unaware. We scroll more, shop more, and consume more. This is a call to action to stop this relentless consumption.
Our personal journey has involved various roles, from professional rugby player to data engineer, business analyst, project manager, director, partner at global consulting firms, C-suite executive, author, and patent holder. Though rooted in technology, we are now storytellers. We are still discovering our paths, which is both exciting and daunting. We have learned to lean in, focus, and create space for reflection. Many start their day by scrolling on their phones, rather than reflecting on past experiences or future possibilities. We fill every idle moment with consumption, averaging 74GB of information daily, equivalent to 16 full-length movies. This mental overload is unsustainable.
Consider Arnold Schwarzenegger's transition from bodybuilder to movie star to governor, or Oprah Winfrey's rise from local news anchor to media mogul, or even Martha Stewart's unexpected journey. These individuals did not achieve their success through constant online consumption.
Regardless of profession, five basic practices can empower us to remain relevant.
- Embrace our interests with focused dedication.
- Allow ourselves to be bored. Next time we wait in line, resist the urge to reach for our phones. This discomfort leads to creativity and new ideas.
- Become a student, diving deep into learning and allowing time for reception, retention, and reflection.
- Use technology, but do not let it use us. For example, running without headphones can lead to clarity and innovative thinking.
- Prioritize connections. Technology facilitates contacts, but relationships scale opportunities.
Practice deliberate rest. In a culture that values self-care, the greatest act of self-care is self-steadiness through rest. Intentionally create idle time, and when receiving information, allow space for retention and reflection.
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About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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