A free example of one of our Futurestack themes, as part of the compound for 21st century professionals
21st century professionals have to prosper in a world of uncertainty. The good news: there are several timeless skills that will keep you relevant, no matter the state of the world. One of them is understanding the changing nature of careers in the 21st century.
This is a free sample of a week's content from our Futurestack compound for 21st century professionals. Read it in one go or spread it over a week, like our subscribers do.
For knowledge workers, the notion of a ‘career’ was a 20th century construct, which emerged due to the changing nature of organisations. What will it be like in the next 50 years? We've curated 4 picks to help you figure the answer out:
Day #1 - What is a career?
What is a ‘career’? Why is the notion coming under attack in the 21st century? Here’s a good introduction.
👉READ "Catch the wave: The 21st-century career" (4500 words)
Day #2 - Portfolio Careers
Portfolio careers, second careers, plural careers, side hustles - all variants of the idea that it is fine (or even necessary) to have multiple careers. It could help you express your interests and act as a buffer of resilience if one career was affected.
🎁 BONUS: a collection of links on the topic
Day 3 - Reflect
Do you have an active second/secondary career?
Have you tried a side-hustle before?
Do you think you’ll have a career in your 70s and beyond?
Day 4 - Long-lasting Careers
A few years ago, we were at a conference where we heard about ‘tertiary careers’ emerging as a result of increased lifespans and improved health. So what do you do when you are past the so-called retirement age but have the energy for another career?
👉READ What Happens When Careers Last 20 Years Longer? (1100 words)
Day 5 - Quiz
1. Before scoring his big acting break, Harrison Ford was in which profession? Options: Archaeology, Horticulture, Carpentry, Bodybuilding
2. Gallup's CliftonStrengths is a popular way to understand one's strengths. The 34 are divided into 4 domains. Which of these is NOT a domain? Options: Strategic Thinking, Creativity Production, Influencing, Relationship Building
Day 6 - Dealing With Decline
All said and done, our professional careers have a shelf-life. What can you do to embrace it, or even turn it into opportunities for creating meaning?
👉READ Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think (6700 words)
Day 7 - Fill Your Future Canvas
At the end, to synthesize your thoughts, fill out this week's Future Canvas .
If you found these valuable, take your quest for future relevance to the next level. Join the Futurestack Compound for 21st Century Professionals to discover 10 skills you need to have in your arsenal to keep you relevant.