stefanokpalumbo
- Nov 28, 2023
- 3 min read

Skill Up or Sit Out: Embracing the Decade-Based Career Evolution

If you haven't already, it's time to embrace the "decade shift" and redefine "lifetime career".

The number of freelancers is skyrocketing around the world, with many people becoming self-employed as young as 18. Adopting the 'decade shift', a person this age can potentially expect 4-5 different careers in their lifetime.

What does it take to cultivate the ability to change career this frequently?

This shift is not just about changing job titles; it's a call and opportunity to consistently upskill, cultivate emotional intelligence, enhance intellectual abilities, and fortify the relationship with oneself.

How to stay professionally relevant and profitable over the next 5 decades?

Upskilling and skill-stacking

The process of acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones and strategically combining diverse skills to enhance your overall competency and versatility, are the cornerstone of this new career philosophy.

As we transition from one decade to the next, you must actively seek opportunities for professional development. Whether it's learning a new programming language, mastering a digital tool, or gaining proficiency in a foreign language, the commitment to 'Kaizen' or continuous learning is the passport to relevance in the job market and developing a parallel income to your salary.

Develop emotional and interpersonal abilities.

As technology evolves, so do the dynamics of the workplace. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and effective communication become crucial assets. Invest in understanding and leveraging your own emotions, empathising with others, and fostering collaborative connections. What can you develop that the robots can’t?

Develop your creativity

Your creative genius is part of your DNA that makes you unique. Unleashing this into your work will guarantee you stay in business, whether in corporate, independently or both.

This can look like sharing your knowledge and experience in a book or course, creating forms of intellectual property or creating innovative solutions in your field.

Sounds simple but often a big challenge for corporate leaders.

Embrace the need for a career pivot every decade.

Having this mindset will ensure you continue to stay interested and motivated over the long-term and develop a golden thread throughout your career, rather than jumping into the unknown and starting from zero (although that can be fantastic as well).

Adapting your career every 10 years requires you to develop a profound relationship with yourself, calling for self-reflection, honesty, understanding personal passions, and aligning your career with intrinsic motivations. The traditional concept of a linear career path is replaced by a mosaic of diverse experiences, each contributing to personal and professional growth.

Meet James, VP of Sales.

One of my corporate clients is the head of a major sales division in a top U.S company. This man is a professional powerhouse with a track record of success. So much so, that when he left his company back in 2016, it nose-dived and they ended up headhunting him, turning the company’s fortunates around once more.

He is obviously a corporate hero and well respected by his peers and management.

He is also suffering in silence as he bears the massive responsibility of the company’s sales success on his shoulders.

After a decade and a half dedicated to this career, James is ready to transition. He can no longer suppress the need for autonomy and limitless possibilities across all areas of his life.

Together, we have unraveled his truth and desire to create independence, income and an exciting and healthy lifestyle for himself and his loved ones. We are currently working through his transition to become a trainer and coach to other professionals and an author.

James is doing to the deep personal work and cultivating his inner and outer skillsets. James is preparing himself for his next decade.

The future belongs to those who can adeptly navigate change, continually upskill, cultivate emotional intelligence, and maintain a strong connection with their own evolving passions. The ability to reinvent oneself professionally every decade is not just a survival strategy; it's a blueprint for a fulfilling and prosperous career in the 21st century.

How will you thrive over the next 10 years?

Stefano

PS Whenever you are ready, here are 5 ways I can continue helping you;