What time is it?
Easy Outcome
The nature of work has its own timeline. The cave peeps had work that centered around finding food that would not eat them before they got to eat it. Their workplace was the surrounding area or anywhere they all moved to in order to live more comfortably. Moving may have involved changing locations due to weather or the seasons. Their work changed with the adjustment in locations. Nowadays, locations may not change for ease but for necessity. With the rise of remote work required to keep the continuation of some jobs, safe locations became more important. Being close to coworkers was not considered a requirement for task goals. It says a lot about the workforce that this pivot happened without more issues. Those who ended up working remotely lowered most of their personal grievances temporarily.
Outcome Ease
During the last century, work changed in terms of safety, pay and who could legally complete it. This century, technology made rapid changes and there are more to come with more advances. Getting work done is now the variable. The predicable methods used in the past will not suit the future. The goal may not be easy to determine and may be more difficult to achieve. This is good news for workers who can be flexible. The problem is that most workers get very used to doing tasks the same way and lose their interest in improving. They keep those brain cells for learning something new outside of work or concentrating on their family and friends. When work gets easier, it is seen as a benefit. It becomes an expectation.
Income Outcome
The predictable increase in pay that most workers expect as they do a job longer than others does not necessarily mean they perform those tasks better. The tenure becomes the basis. This may not be the model that future work can take since it may not reward innovation. The challenge for those in the workforce today is to evaluate where they can move forward at work. It is also important to note that the thought that this is not fair must change. Anytime there is disruption in a long-standing way, there is a minor revolution. History tells that tale.
Look Ahead
This is a great time to think about the parts of work that bring satisfaction. Life is still meant to be enjoyed. But the nature of what happens every day in the average work life needs a makeover. Getting ahead of what comes next should be a good surprise. Think back to that pre-season training that resulted in the best chance of success. Learn the new plays, practice for the best outcome and gather your team. The future of work will be the present of work shortly.
If you could choose your future work, what would it be? Does your income depend on your outcome?
