Posted on Jun. 08, 2021
If there’s anything that the global pandemic continues to teach us, it’s that what was, no longer is. Some of us feel exhausted as we struggle to balance our home life with work life, and we look ahead with bleary eyes for some brief glimmer of life as we knew it. It’s time to let that idea go. The opportunity is now, and for those who are thriving, it’s time to up the ante.
Coaches once observed a very normal cycle when it came to people’s energy and career focus, and the years generally looked like this:
That cycle is no longer valid: it’s over. It’s time to refuel and refocus, if you can manage it.
What we once thought about the freelance market, that it’s small or just for creatives, is long gone. The shift into the ‘gig economy' is significant. If you can believe it, the value of freelance work in the US is currently close to a trillion dollars. Quoted in the sixth annual ‘Freelancing in America’ study: "The 57 million Americans who freelanced this year represent 35 per cent of the US workforce and an increase of 4 million freelancers since 2014".
The study also reveals 77 per cent of freelancers say technology has made it easier to find work. Jon Younger, a specialist who writes and speaks widely about the freelance revolution and the future workforce, wrote an article in December 2020 about the trends he foresees for the next 12 months. It’s an astounding read. He estimated that freelance platforms number between 800–1000 around the world with more appearing each week.
If you’re still feeling unconvinced, listen to this Tedx Talk (13:07), ‘The future is freelancing,’ by Laura Briggs. You’ll get a better feel for the potential of the market and how to go about moving forward.
We know from our experience with coaching clients that many people who were getting ready to make a move just prior to the pandemic, have chosen to remain where they were, either out of a sense of responsibility or a desire for job security.
Now, with the roll-out of vaccines, global industry continues to grow on a larger scale than ever before. If you think you want to be somewhere else in 12 months’ time, then you need to start your launch plan now. Don’t wait until you’re bored or have no respect for your boss.
Here are some ideas to put into action:
Did you watch our masterclass with the brilliant Andrea Clarke? Take the time to listen as she shares her best insights, research and tips for a future-proofed career. In her book Future fit: how to stay relevant and competitive in the future of work, Andrea encourages us to master eight specific human skills to differentiate ourselves, insisting that "talent is just as important as technology".
We know lots of people are feeling pandemic and zoom-fatigued, but this is not the time to sit back: it’s the time to say yes to 2022.
– The Coach Place Global
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