How to beat FOBO: the Fear of Becoming Obsolete
If you're feeling overwhelmed or worried about the future of work, you might be experiencing FOBO – the fear of becoming obsolete. In other words, the fear that your skills or job may become outdated, especially as technologies like AI evolve and industries adopt new ways of working.
It’s natural to feel some nervousness about what’s next as the pace of technological change speeds up and as AI becomes more commonplace. However, tech like AI is just the latest development of many in the ever-evolving way we work, says futurist Morris Misel.
“AI is changing the landscape of work, but work, as we define it, has been changing for a long time,” Misel says. “In the past, it was one job for life – now it’s the complete opposite.”
Increasingly, people are taking more control over their own careers. According to Misel, this means workers are responsible for upskilling and identifying when they’ve learned all they can in a role and when they need to move on. While this may seem daunting sometimes, the good news is that it gives you more power to shape your own future.
How to tackle FOBO
Change in the workplace may be intimidating, but it often brings new opportunities. If you find yourself feeling scared of change, it may be time to upskill, so you can feel more security in your job and more confident about the future overall.
Here’s what Leah Lambart, Career Coach at Relaunch Me suggests:
1. Stay up to date with the latest technology
Whichever industry you’re in, try to stay up to date with the latest industry developments, trends and standards. This includes new technology, including but not limited to, AI.
Instead of being worried about AI, try to embrace it, says Lambart. “Understand how you can use it to automate repetitive tasks, which may allow you to add value in different ways and use your time more strategically, coming up with new ideas or spending more time providing great service to your clients or customers.”
“If you’re not scared of it, you can find some really great ways to use AI in nearly every job to save yourself time, using AI to do the things that often feel monotonous,” she says.
This doesn’t mean you need to become an AI expert, adds Misel. “You just need to be open to using it. This goes back to being curious and mindful of what’s happening in the world.”
2. Focus on your people-centric skills
While AI can help with certain tasks, there are plenty of roles it can’t replace – including those requiring people-centric skills such as communication and creativity.
“We used to call these soft skills. Now they’re often referred to as ‘power skills’ because they're the skills that are going to allow people to really progress their careers and overcome the challenges that we face from AI,” says Lambart.
Building these core skills – communication, empathy, creativity, and teamwork – alongside your technical abilities, will help you build a flexible skillset for the future.
3. Shift your mindset
If you’re feeling anxious about change, it's worth addressing your mindset. Rather than seeing the future as something to be scared of, consider what positives could come from it – like allowing you to focus on more creative or strategic work.
“A growth mindset is really important, as is embracing lifelong learning, for people at all levels of their career,” says Lambart. “You need to stay open to change, learning, and building new skills. It’s helpful to see this as a positive opportunity to grow and expand your knowledge, rather than something to fear.”
4. Connect with your peers and network
Having a strong network is important for all sorts of reasons. Not only is it helpful when searching for a new job or freelance work, but it also helps you stay on top of the latest industry trends and developments.
“Surrounding yourself with people who are in the same industry, experiencing the same things and being able to support each other is definitely a plus,” says Lambart.
If you’re worried about the future of your job, chances are other people you know might be too. Set aside time to catch up and connect with your peers to learn how they’re tackling industry-wide shifts – and to build a professional support system that you can lean on if need be.
Looking at the path ahead
While change can seem intense in the moment, it’s important to remember that no one can see what’s going to happen next, says Misel. “We’re all going through it at the same time,” he says. “Whatever job you have, none of us know exactly how it’s going to pan out. That's why we don't waste a lot of time predicting the future; instead, we use the time by preparing for it.”
This is why building your skills, having a curious mindset, and actively planning for what’s to come will help you grow your career into the future, no matter where industry changes might take you.
