Self-Development

Self-development is crucial to anyone who wants to remain viable in any industry or field. Perhaps this has never been truer than it is today. With automation, artificial intelligence, and technological advances happening at light speed, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing enough to stay ahead.

So, Is My Job Going to Be Taken By Robots or What?

Eccentric tech icon Elon Musk famously predicted that AI is going to completely replace the human workforce. He goes so far as to claim that the robots are going to take over the world, just like a dystopian science fiction movie. Tom Mitchell, professor of machine learning at Carnegie Mellon University offers a more reassuring take on the matter. He says that robots really are taking over in some respects, but they’re not necessarily going to steal your job. Instead, he predicts, AI will be used to handle repetitive tasks rather than usurping entire positions.

The Skillset of the Future: Where Do You Stand?

This doesn’t mean you’re necessarily in the clear, though. Certainly, anything that can be automated likely will be at some point. So the first question to ask yourself is whether your job could be done by a machine or computer. If the answer is “yes,” there’s no need to despair. However, it’s probably time to take a good look at what you could be doing to brace yourself for the continued onslaught of automation in the workforce.

Are You Ready to Hear Honest Feedback?

Most people, without having to think too hard about it, will answer with a resounding “yes” to the above question. Most everyone thinks they are prepared for real, honest feedback. In reality, many of us may find ourselves feeling a bit defensive when our knowledge or abilities are called into question. If we’re serious about staying on top of changing trends, though, we have to be willing to look at ourselves in the harsh light of reality.

If you can take honest feedback, even if it’s negative and not what you hoped to hear, you are already ahead of the game. By acknowledging areas in need of improvement, you can begin to take immediate steps to add to the skills you have and to broaden your education.

The Laws of Growth Always Apply

We know that certain principles apply to personal and professional growth. They must be in place for true learning and improvement to happen. Among these principles is the intention you bring. If you don’t see the value in growing and changing to fit today’s workforce, it’s unlikely that you’ll succeed. Also critical to your capacity for growth is that you value yourself. Knowing you’re worth investing in makes a huge difference in how well you’ll embrace opportunities for development.