Will You Be Ready for 2030?
FUTURE OF THE WORLD - Edition 4
2030 will be here in the blink of an eye.
By then, the world will be a very different place.
Over the next seven years, driven by a confluence of forces, massive change will impact every aspect of normal life.
We can expect geopolitical upheaval, climate-driven disasters, and the disruption of industries, work, and society by exponential technologies.Â
Here's how you need to prepare:
1. Become Adaptable
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." – Stephen Hawking.
The key to adaptability is the willingness to change yourself.
By adopting a mindset that is not rigid but open to new possibilities, you can readily become more adaptable.
According to Bob Johansen of the Institute for the Future – to move forward into an uncertain future – people need "strong opinions, which are weakly held."Â
Weak opinions are problematic because people need to be inspired to put out the energy required to test them.
On the other hand, it's important not to hold on too firmly to what you believe. If you do, you will limit your ability to process information that does not coincide with what you think is true.
Being adaptable does not mean being wishy-washy or lacking commitment—quite the contrary. If you are dedicated to your ultimate outcome, you will be willing to make adjustments.
Think of your life or career as an exploration—an adventure rather than a plan. Have your objectives but be flexible about how you get there.Â
Remember, human beings are wired for the predictable. So, this exercise requires reconfiguring your mindset to be comfortable with the unknown.
2. Become Global
You are socialized to believe that you belong to this group or that: nationality, religion, ethnicity, culture, and more. But these elements of your identity are only helpful if they add to your sense of self and help you optimize for life. Taken too far, they can become a hindrance.Â
To succeed in this coming era, you must look beyond the limits of your social conditioning and celebrate humanity's best ideas wherever they emerge.
We know from machine learning that the dataset used to train the AI model is critical to the model's effectiveness.Â
Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO): If we feed low-quality data to the AI Model, it will deliver a similar result.
It's no different for humans. We need access to the broadest range of the highest-quality data to function optimally.Â
Your personal dataset is determined mainly by the people you spend time with—in real life or on Twitter, and the content you're exposed to.
Evaluate your current data sources and expand as needed.
Make it a point to gather your input data from around the globe—the less familiar the source, the better.Â
3. Become Creative
Creativity is not a special gift reserved for the talented few. Every single person can create. It is the most powerful way to add value to your community, the economy, and the world.
With the explosion of Artificial Intelligence and the automation of repetitive tasks, some fear they will become redundant in their workplace.
The fact is, AI will liberate billions from tedious, mundane tasks and open up radical new work possibilities, allowing many more people to use their creativity to make a living.
Expect millions of new artists, writers, designers, musicians, and performers. Become one of them.
4. Un-Learn the Old
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." ~ Alvin Toffler
The more successful you are, the more you believe in whatever method you've used to get to this point in your work or life.
But in the face of exponential change, past methods are not only valueless; they will actively impede you as you attempt to move forward.
This is a moment of real self-reckoning.
It's time to overhaul your self-perception, mindset, and wavelength. And re-make yourself for the new world.
With the world iterating at a blistering speed, it would be helpful to do this exercise once every six months.
5. Embrace the New Technologies
"Fortune favors the bold." ~ VirgilÂ
Times of change bring enormous opportunities. And if you're bold enough to step into the void and create new solutions, you will emerge victorious.Â
You will need to embrace emerging technologies.Â
Humanity has long tussled with nature, seeking dominance. In the 21st century, with technology added to the mix, the game has changed. Now, whoever controls the technology rules the world.Â
To succeed, you must be able to wield technology with skill.
Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, web3, and genetic engineering are just a few of the technologies that will reconfigure life as we know it. Â
Your bold new endeavors must incorporate one or more of these.Â
To be ready for 2030, you must match your creative genius with the technology that amplifies it.Â
Summarizing
Become Adaptable: Humans are wired for the predictable, so you must reconfigure yourself to be comfortable with the unknown.
Become Global: To function optimally, you need input from all around the world—the less familiar the source, the better.Â
Become Creative: It’s the most powerful way to add value to your community, the economy, and the world.
Un-Learn the Old: It’s time to overhaul your self-perception, mindset, and wavelength; and re-make yourself for the new world.
Embrace the New Technologies: To be ready for 2030, you must match your creative genius with the technology that amplifies it.Â
That’s all for today, folks.
Leave a comment to let me know your thoughts. And spread the word by sharing with friends or on Twitter.
On Friday, there will be an exciting Ready for the Future 5 edition.
See you then!
Misha
Pure gems! Key takeaway: you must match your creative genius with the technology that amplifies it.Â
Thanks, Misha! Great article!
P.S. "..in the blink of an eye".