You might say I’m a dreamer
Thriving in an ever-changing world
I’ve been thinking recently about what I call ‘context proofing’ work: I believe we need to develop skills and capabilities that are resilient to automation and technological change but I also think that being ‘context proof’ ought to be more than that.
It should be about building a sense of purpose and direction, and developing the agility to take action whatever the world throws at us.
In short, it is building and sustaining the conditions that help us to thrive in a changing world. But is there a definition of thriving that could apply today as much as in a world of self-driving cars and chatbots as much as it does today?
I don’t think a perfect definition exists, and I’m not about to announce that I am in possession of the one single truth about the Good Life. However, whilst planning a teaching session on wellbeing I came across the following:
“[Wellbeing is] a dynamic state in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their community. It is enhanced when an individual is able to fulfil their personal and social goals and achieve a sense of purpose in society”
I like this definition but find it too passive. It’s as if ‘wellbeing’ enables people to be creative, fulfil goals and have a sense of purpose. I agree that wellbeing is dynamic and there are reasons for this, not least the unexpected and adverse life experiences that people contend with.
However, much of the fluctuation relates to what we do (there’s a clue in the word well-being). I believe that humans thrive by doing all of those things: creating, contributing and having a sense of purpose. In fact, the statement about what wellbeing enables is, in my view, a pretty good list of the things that you need to do in order to thrive.
· Develop your potential
· Work productively
· Work creatively
· Build strong and positive relationships
· Contribute to your community
· Set and work towards important goals
· Define a sense of purpose in society
You might notice I made some of these things more active (you’re not fully in control of whether you achieve your goals but you can decide to work towards them concertedly). And doing all of the above isn’t easy but I’d suggest that, as individuals and in organisations, we can start by focusing goals and investments of time and resources on three areas: clarifying what really matters, engaging in meaningful change and developing and nurturing relationships. These are themselves dynamic and never-ending and I’ll write more about them in future posts.
Why do I think these are relevant in a changing world?
Because they are timeless: whether you have in your hands a pencil and paper or, at your disposal, the most sophisticated 3D printer in the world, you can create. Whether your Twitter network or local community you can contribute and do so in a way that is either nurtures relationships.
As we think about our lives in an uncertain future we can guarantee two things: work will continue to be a major part; and the range of options for how we spend our time and money outside of it will grow exponentially.
Wherever you are on life’s journey I think coming back to these basics and reflecting on them is critical: in a world of abundant choice, in which there is intense competition for our time, attention and money, we need to attend to the conditions that promote thriving.
I’m going to end with a question: how do you think the world would change if building the conditions that promote thriving were at the centre of everything? What if they were central to how we defined growth? You might say I’m a dreamer but, as a famous Liverpudlian (probably) once asked, surely I’m not the only one?
