With how things are today, we’re all very worried about how the future may end up being. The economy is fluctuating, the job market isn’t steady, and many people are concerned about their next meal. The pandemic really did a number on everyone’s lives, and many are planning their next move in life- be it to recover what they lost or start anew.
If society has learned anything, it’s that we always have to prepare for the future. Especially us, as we’re very prone to the volatile changes in society. To help you future-proof yourself, below are some practical steps you can try out.
Be Tech Literate
Every year, we become more reliant on technology for our everyday needs. Most companies normally have a certain degree of computer knowledge, and going through life without understanding computers means you miss out on a whole lot. To future-proof yourself, you must harness the power of computers and become as tech literate as you need to be. Study not just how computers work but also the economy that has formed around them.
The value of being good with computers is constantly increasing, and having a digital skill or two will keep you employed for a good amount of time. As a matter of fact, a good investment is enrolling yourself in an online course. Learn something computer-related, be it digital graphic design, programming, or even hardware repairs. Learning computers is something you will never regret, and something that can help you in the future.
The Future is Global
Because the future is increasingly global, it will benefit you to learn more about globalization as well. But the advice “be more global” is a rather vague one, isn’t it? A practical step you can do towards understanding the global scale of things is by learning another language. Particularly, one you’re interested in. This will open you to a whole new world of possibilities, as knowing another language can help you get translation jobs, not to mention being able to befriend people from that country as well.
Log Your Journey
The greatest people in our history have kept a diary of both their personal and professional journeys. It’s one of the ways modern people discover critical events in history. You can replicate their efforts- logging your experience in a diary- not just for the future generations to learn from you, but also because it can help you put things into perspective.
You can jot down your goals, personal notes, and even short-term plans in a diary. And once you’ve accomplished them, you have something to look back to and reminisce about. Often, we forget how far we’ve actually come, and setting it down on paper is a great way to remind yourself of them, and to tell yourself how you’ve objectively improved.
Cultivate a Network
No man is an island, and no one is really a “self-made man”. Every successful person has attained success with the help of their friends, family, and business partners. And they were able to achieve that success because of the network they developed. Future-proofing yourself also means surrounding yourself with people who value you and trust your skills- enough so that when you need help, they’re more than willing to lend a hand.
Start cultivating a network now, and you can jumpstart that by offering your help. Remember that a network doesn’t just mean a pool of people willing to help you- it goes the other way around as well. Be ready to help others, and they’ll be there when you need them.
Read More About Personal Finance
Future-proofing yourself doesn’t just mean being equipped with the latest skills to always remain relevant in the job market. It also means taking care of yourself without the assistance of a job. It can be difficult to “earn” without a steady stream of income, but by making the right decisions while you have one, you can develop a financial portfolio that will allow you to live comfortably. However, this is only possible through personal finance.
The best way you can future-proof yourself, even from the perils of unemployment, is to be financially literate. Know how to make the right financial decisions. This entails going over your credit score, your personal savings, and even looking at your mortgage loans from your trusted lender and any other debts. By sorting out your personal financial situation, you can approach the future feeling safe.
Future-proofing yourself isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work and preparation. However, it’s more than worth it to prepare yourself for the potential hurdles you might encounter in the future.