Is Your Career Relevancy About to Expire?
We’ve all seen the rising stars who seem to be on an accelerated upward trajectory, only to later crash and burn – or perhaps just fizzle out. The crash (or fizzle) wasn’t related to lack of intelligence, or hard work, or emotional intelligence or even popularity. The crash was related to an inability to remain relevant to the changing landscape of their industry, allowing their success to reach an expiration date.
Decades ago, Spencer Johnson wrote a best-selling book titled: “Who Moved My Cheese?”, where he discussed how change is an intrinsic part of life, both personally and professionally. No one can escape the constant tide of change that reshapes industries and careers. With the incorporation of AI taking place in every industry, even the most successful individuals will have an expiration date on their careers if they fail to evolve and adapt – and remain relevant.
Following are 5 simple, proven and highly effective strategies you can implement to remain relevant and avoid a career expiration date.
1. Embrace Change:
Rather than resisting change, successful individuals learn to embrace it. The key to maintaining relevancy lies in the ability to adapt to an ever-evolving landscape. Just as technologies become obsolete, so can skills and knowledge. Embracing change empowers you to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your value to industry and company remains high.
2. Become Flexible:
The Japanese have a saying: “The resilient bamboo bends but the unyielding oak breaks.” Being flexible in the face of change allows you to weather storms and navigate through challenging times. Embracing flexibility enables you to find creative solutions to problems and adjust your approach to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
3. Act Proactively:
To avoid reaching a career plateau, it’s critical you become proactive. Instead of waiting for change(s) to happen, seek out upcoming trends and educate yourself about emerging technologies and advancements as it relates to your industry. By being proactive, you position yourself as a forward-thinker, ready to seize new opportunities as they arise.
4. Observe and Listen:
Keep a close eye on trends in your industry and listen to experts who provide insights into where things may be heading. However, don’t solely rely on external sources. Conduct your own due diligence and research to gain a comprehensive understanding of potential shifts in your field.
5. Cultivate a Reading Habit:
Reading is a powerful tool for staying relevant and informed. It allows you to stay on top of industry developments, understand emerging trends, and gain insights into what is “in” and “out” in your industry. Commit to continuous learning through books, articles, workshops, seminars, and industry publications to remain ahead of the curve. Reading is vital to Relevancy.
Conclusion:
As you navigate your career journey, remember that success has an expiration date if you fail to adapt, evolve, and remain relevant. Embrace change, be flexible, stay proactive, observe, and listen to the experts, and cultivate a reading habit to remain relevant and valuable in the face of constant change.
