With 2020 coming to a close, we have to start looking towards the future. From everything I’ve been able to track down on the Internet, it seems that Covid-19 is not going away anytime soon, whether we have a vaccine or not. Some scientists are already coming out saying that even with vaccines, social distancing and mask-wearing are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.
Like it or not, it seems that we’re all going to have to adjust to “the new normal.”
The work-from-home model is going to expand and some industries will be completely flipped on their head. Restaurants will have to rethink how they do business. Tourism will be in the gutter for a while. Bill Gates even came out and said that business travel will drop permanently by 30%.
But as I like to often say to my son, “It is what it is.” We can’t change what’s happened, all we can do is look to the future.
Every one of us should be asking ourselves how can we adapt to this new environment. Whether you’re in high school or college still unsure what you want to do with your life or if you’re in your 40s and find yourself out of a job, it might be wise to start developing your tech skills. According to Glassdoor, out of the ten most in-demand jobs of this year, tech dominates.
Moving forward, I don’t see that changing as FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) is the driving force of our economies at present. What’s more, is that it’s the easiest to adapt to the work-from-home model.
Those in the restaurant business will have to think about takeout services and how to supply people with a superior product in a timely fashion. People yearn to eat out with their friends, but in many cases that just isn’t possible. Uber Eats and restaurants offering delivery services have thrived.
If we have talent for writing or a degree in journalism, how are you going to parlay that into a full-time job that you can do from the comfort of your own home or on a nice beach?
Let’s look at some ways we can set ourselves up to succeed in the years to come.
Be creative
Think outside the box. Take the case of Vber Macho based in Nagoya, Japan. It has been able to fill stand out among its competitors by offering delivery sushi with a twist – all the delivery men are bodybuilders.
Hooters is another example. Everyone knows they make pretty good buffalo wings, but that’s not what they’re famous for. It’s ideas like these, the out-of-the-box thinking, that are needed in challenging times.
Be resourceful
Now is not the time to be expanding, because the market is fickle. We’ve already seen governments having to implement new laws that are crushing small businesses.
At times like these entrepreneurs thrive. What problems are people having? How can you solve them in new and unique ways? And most importantly, how can we apply it with little or no investment?
Be healthy
The freshman 10 is something many college kids are familiar with. Leaving home and being on their own college freshman often gain about ten pounds. The Covid-19 lockdowns have forced us to stay home. No gyms, no yoga classes, no exercise. Combine that with many people ordering pizza and fast food and some people’s waistlines aren’t looking good. However, if there’s ever been an incentive to get in shape it’s Covid-19 which seems to hit overweight and obese people the hardest.
Be vigilant
Our world is constantly in a state of flux, but Covid-19 has taken things up a notch. The most famous line from the Spider-Man comic is “with great power comes great responsibility.” In our environment, we could change it to “with great danger comes great opportunity.” Be on the constant lookout for opportunities.
Be an investor
This has to be the single most valuable thing at a time like this. When I say “investor,” I’m not referring to stocks or real estate, although they are well worth considering if you can find the right deal. No, when I say be an investor in yourself. Now is the time to prepare for the next ten years. Sign up for Google’s new tech courses, attend live lectures, pick up some best sellers on the topics of social media, marketing, and business and start building your future.
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