Daily Inspiration: “Hallowe’en 2020. Note to self: some potential new career transitions are best left unpursued!”

“Hallowe’en 2020. Note to self: some potential new career transitions are best left unpursued!” – Futurist Jim Carroll

Good thing I stuck to being a futurist – I don’t think I would make a great clown! Turn that frown upside down!

That said, let’s focus on the fact that many people are finding it necessary during these perilous times to completely reinvent their careers to align with the upheaval in the global economy. I’m certainly witnessing it within my online network: a meeting planner pursuing a new career as an insurance agent. A speakers bureau representative chasing a new path in marketing for an automotive company. An AV tech now working to implement Web and e-commerce design infrastructure.

Out of necessity, people in the most hard-hit industries are finding it necessary to admit that the future is too cloudy to find any ray of optimism.

My world – the meeting, events, and leadership industry – is but a small microcosm of vast structural industry changes that are underway in many sectors. Massive layoffs in the aerospace sector are bringing a harsh new reality to tens of thousands. The airline, hotel, and travel industry have been decimated, and much of it won’t be back for a long, long time. Tens of thousands of in-store retail clerks and staff are finding that it’s probably a good idea to think about doing something different. Reality? The smart ones have already moved on towards some sort of personal reinvention, knowing that their old world won’t be back.

Is there an opportunity out there? Here and there – the vast move to online services and logistics is creating a tremendous number of new jobs. Online learning, training, and related fields are a big growth opportunity. And there is an uptick in volunteer and charity work as those who have the personal ability to weather the storm decide to give back to the community.

As we settle into the winter months, it will become even more evident to more people that the global pandemic is a massive, transformative event that will reshape the world for decades to come.

As I keep preaching here, reinvention is the name of the game for many. Try it. Sometimes it will work.

As for me, I think I’ll keep doing what I’m doing! I might not be a great clown, but I can always find an inner smile to keep me going!