NEW JOBS FOR 2020

In my book BALLSY, I warn up front that the world is constantly changing - so don’t forget to change with it!

If you want to enjoy a career of extreme success, you must always be asking yourself: Due to all the technological and social change out there, are there now new materials, new fears, new problems, new needs, new desires -- all of which are creating new demands for new widgets and new services?

In summary: Your widget or service might be good… but in this speedily shifting world, good has a very, very short expiration date.

But there's some good news behind all this speedy change. Soon the world will be offering up some very exciting career options.

For example, here are 10 new job options for 2020, predicted by futurist Josh Calder, leader of the Global Lifestyles program at Social Technologies LLC, a research and consulting firm.

1. E-scrubber--Works to undo or minimize the indiscretions that people accumulate on the Web.
2. Deceptionist--Provides tech-enabled deception services for those wishing to disguise their activities.
3. Unrealtor--Creates virtual tourism, adventure, and retail destinations.
4. Realizer--Creates real versions of virtual objects for people, from grog tankards to sports cars.
5. Nano-decontaminator--Cleans up nanomaterials now being spread through the environment.
6. Genetic dietician--Creates diets tailored to people's individual genetic makeup.
7. Geoscaper--Makes corporate and private properties look attractive in Google Earth-style aerial views.
8. Eye pilot--Operates small, remotely piloted, camera-equipped aerial vehicles over war zones, disasters, and other locations of interest on behalf of news services, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies.
9. Sexbot controller--Many things can be done remotely. Not for the squeamish.
10. Unplugger--Counselor/mental health professional who helps wean people from excessive technology use.

I find some of what Calder lists to sound a wee bit like science fiction. And some of it to sound like job necessities for 2007. But what all these positions share in common are larger trends for transparency, virtualization, and outsourcing. And if you study his list further, you'll see that most of Calder's job listings involve new ways to manage information -- which is becoming more and more central to more and more careers.

career leap

1. NEVER wear your heart on your business shirt sleeve. Know: anything said "in private" can easily be taken public. In fact, backstabbers often try to gather personal secrets and controversial professional views -- so as to stock up undermining ammo. Saying less will protect you more.

2. If your firm is undergoing big changes, keep an extra look-out in your rearview mirror. Desperation brings out latent backstabbing tendencies. A normally kind colleague might suddenly bend over backstabbing-wards, so as to hold onto their job or receive necessary resources.

3. Those who walk softly and confidently, can still carry a big knife. Translation: Supervisors can backstab as frequently as colleagues. Be on the alert: your boss might be kissing up the ladder while attacking you down below.

4. Don't remove yourself from the grapevine. Become a fellow grape. If the backstabber knows you keep your ears and eyes open to office politics, they may think twice before stabbing you.

5. Good deeds can actually help you go un-punished. If you become known for doing favors for people, you’ll add to “Your Political Capital” -- plus, create a more positive place to work.

6. Love thy neighbor -- and try to pick thy neighborhood. Okay, admittedly, you can’t always pick who you work with -- but whenever possible, try to surround yourself with the people you most trust.

7. Make sure you have friends not ONLY in HIGH places. Don’t just work to create good relationships with your boss and colleagues, but also with secretaries, assistants -- even janitors. You never know who knows -- and says -- what.

8. If stabbed, quickly bring the offending “knife” to the backstabber -- and get them to fess up. Say something like: "If you have a problem with me, let’s resolve it now, because we need to work together in a healthy way to create the most productive work environment. So together let’s figure out how to ensure this problem doesn’t repeat itself.” If the backstabber is your boss, demand you create “clarification procedures” for fixing the problem that are put on record somewhere. If the backstabber is a colleague, not only confront the offender, but request a private meeting with your boss -- and show them the offending “knife evidence” in a calm, rational way. Ask your boss for advice on how to become a member of “The Backstabbed Protection Program,” so as to get your boss involved in putting your complaint on record.

In summary: If you’ve been backstabbed, know that a combo of “the bright light of clarity” along with “the spotlight of public record” can help melt most knives.

CAREER TIP: Seek Skillset Promotions!

Today on my Sirius show BE HAPPY DAMMIT we were talking about how too many people think the way to become happier is to focus on getting bigger and bigger monetary promotions.

Wrong.

You become far happier when you focus on getting more and more "skillset promotions."

What I mean by "skillset promotions": When you focus on stretching your skillsets to
higher levels -- so you're growing in your talents and abilities. This also means constantly testing out NEW skillsets -- so you keep on rising up higher and higher on "your total life potential ladder" -- and not just simply that "career ladder"!

I'll be talking about this concept of seeking constant "skillset promotions" LIVE in NYC this Thursday (yup, 2 nights from now!) at 7:30 at the West Side YMCA on West 63rd Street, between Broadway and Columbus -- with a panel of 4 multi-skillset-blessed writers and an agent.

This panel was put together by Marci Alboher -- the author of the amazing book ONE PERSON/MULTIPLE CAREERS -- which explains the new hot trend for more people having "slashes" in their career titles. For example... Marci is a lawyer/author/coach. (I am an ex-ad chick/author/radio host.)

The evening promises to be a fun and inspiring one -- so come on by if you're in NYC.

More info ....

The Writer's Voice (in association with The New York Writers Workshop) Presents:
ONE PERSON/MULTIPLE CAREERS: A New Model for Work/Life Success
Panel Discussion hosted by Author Marci Alboher
Thursday, April 26, 2007
7:30 PM
The George Washington Lounge
Reading/Discussion/Q & A
West Side YMCA-- The George Washington Lounge
5 West 63rd Street (between Central Park West & Broadway)
Admission Free and Open to the Public
Books from Mobile Libris/wines from 67 Wine.
5 W. 63rd Street, between Central Park West & Broadway. Accessible Trains: A, C, B, D, & 1 to Columbus Circle.