I was around 4-5 years old when I learned how to swim. In just a day. It wasn’t that I was a quick learner, it was because I did everything possible to stay afloat. You see, my father started the lessons at the deep end of the pool. I must have spluttered and splattered, and maybe even howled. But I did achieve a feat – I learned how to swim. In a day.
Facing the unknown can be unnerving. It needs a heady mix of fearlessness and determination to forge ahead. The past decade has witnessed exponential changes in various aspects of life, from technology and industry to climate and market dynamics. These rapid transformations have contributed to traditional skillsets becoming obsolete as new technologies and demands emerge. One of the significant challenges of this rapidly evolving landscape is predicting the unknown, which has become increasingly complex. The speed of technological advancements and disruptive innovations has outpaced traditional methods of prediction and forecasting. As a result, individuals and organizations face uncertainties about the future and the skills required to thrive in the changing market. Add to it the heightened climate crises causing extreme weather events and natural disasters with more frequency and intensity. These environmental shifts add another layer of unpredictability, affecting industries, communities, and economies.
In such a scenario it is only natural to harbour doubts about our abilities to meet them. We fear that our skills may become obsolete at a faster pace. It has become an era of micro-specialisation and there has been an uptake to arm ourselves with credentials and qualification, all which may not necessarily help us. However, we should not forget the most distinct human trait – resilience and adaptability; developed from the moment of birth. Life is full of uncertainties, and we learn to adapt and upskill to face them. Challenges can often be overcome by shifting our mindset, assessing thoughtfully, and learning from mistakes. Failures along the way will just steer us in the right direction. We may not succeed at first, but remember when thrown in the deep end, one doesn’t give up and sink. You flay, give your best, to not just stay afloat but to swim against the tides.
