# 039 - Future Shock - 7 Tips on How To Cope When It Hits

Future Shock is a 1970 book by the futurist Alvin Toffler, where he defines the term "future shock" as a certain psychological state of individuals and entire societies. The shortest definition for the term in the book is a personal perception of "too much change in too short a period of time". This Shock can have a detrimental affect unless you're prepared for it. For those who can cope…. We are in the age of innovation. So what does this require of you? Simple. 1. Accept that massive change is here and don’t get upset by it.  It is neither good nor bad it simply IS.  Do not be frightened by it but at the same time don’t get too excited.  Work on your mindset and retain balance. 2. Talk more to people who understand this is happening. Get in community with similar people.  Join masterminds and groups of people who want to progress.  This will help you feel balanced and not alone or isolated. 3. Make a plan.  Whatever you are doing now take a long hard look at it.  Are you creating value?  Will you still be kept on by your employeer or will your services still be in demand?  If not, or if you think not, you need to plan changes now.  (bear in mind that with furloughed staff and an apparet recession on the horizon, most employers will be looking to cut back on their biggest expense…staff!)  You need to be in a position to remain because they can’t do without you, or you need a lifeboat in the form of your own business. 4. Are you upskilling?  Have you looked at the skills that will be required? I’m guessing that by listening to this podcast (or reading this book) that you have a desire to make some changes.  You need to innovate and make your own skills become vital and in demand by your customers…to do that you need to learn how to market properly and sell your services so that you are in demand and have a steady stream of new clients. 5. Work on the skills you need on a daily basis. Remember it’s not about developing a skill 100% it’s about incremental increases in a set of specific skills that will help you the most. 6. Take control of your financial future.  Have you worked out your own financial targets? Do you know what is required to meet them? 7. Get a strategy in place to implement your plan. Whatever you do, switching off this Podcast and carrying on as before is not an option. Join the Skill Stack Facebook Group.  Contribute.  Ask questions.  Invite answers. Go back and listen to some of the other podcasts.  They all have notes and all have action points of useful things for you to do. To quote another great 20thcentury thinker, Joseph Trumpeter. Do not wait for the gales of creative destruction to wash over you. Download the Skill Stack e-book 22 Doomed Industries  and make sure that when creative destruction does come, you are not left shocked, swimming without a costume on and no lifejacket.