What everyone is missing about the future of work

Humans are by nature fear-driven.

This is how our ancestors survived.

Better to be safe than sorry, especially when physical threats were a very real thing.

Changes in the workplace trigger these same fears in us.

Your first reaction is to retreat and protect yourself, and there is good reason for this.

Jobs will be lost.

Many more jobs will continue to exist but you'll be expected to do more with less, augmented by these new tools.

Job security will go down.

And a natural reaction to this is fear.

But fear leads to reactivity.

Reactivity narrows your thinking and causes you to miss the big picture.

And when you miss the big picture you'll be forever scrambling and playing catch-up.

You'll remain stuck trying to play it safe, instead of stepping into a higher and more complete version of who you are.

The mark of an evolved person is their ability to notice their biological reactions, be aware of where they're coming from and what's really at play, and make informed decisions based on a more holistic intelligence.

Technological change is nothing new.

And each time a new technology was launched, people have predicted mass unemployment.

This did not happen.

Instead, jobs changed, production and consumption (and our living standards) went up, and humanity was better off.

Humans adapt. That's what makes us unique.

Here are some examples.

• The industrial revolution replaced human labour in factories. Humans moved into factory management, engineering, and machine operation and maintenance.
• Computers did not replace work but augmented it. Clerks, accountants, and administrators adapted by using spreadsheets, databases, and email, making them more efficient. Entire new fields—like IT support, software development, and cybersecurity—were created.
• ATMs did not replace bank tellers but freed them up to focus on client advisory and other more value adding services.
• E-commerce did not destroy retail but created new jobs in logistics, digital marketing, customer service, and software development. Now we are seeing jobs like personalised fashion advisors and colour consultants emerging.
• AI did not replace doctors but made them better at their jobs. Longer term AI and robotics will make healthcare more affordable, which will increase the quantity of healthcare people receive, which is only a good thing.

Now we're at the next revolution, and this time it's deeper and even more meaningful.

Most people focus on whether AI will take their job, if remote work is here to stay, or if automation will lead to mass unemployment. But these are just surface-level concerns. The real story is much bigger and more exciting.

Yes jobs will be lost. And many more will be changed.

But the world isn’t heading toward a jobless dystopia.

Most jobs will remain but be augmented by AI and automation. Yes you will need to adapt, but viewed positively you'll be able to do far more strategic and creative work in the future, rather than repetitive and mundane tasks.

New jobs are being created at a rapid pace. Just ask ChatGPT "what new roles will exist in 5 years that don't exist today?" and you'll get a long list.

Average wealth is increasing (as it has done in the past), and this means that far more people will have their basic needs met in the coming years.

As basic needs are met, people move up their hierarchy of needs and start focusing on higher order needs such as how they dress, physical well-being, mental well-being, nutrition supplements, refurbishing their house, understanding themselves better and fulfilling their potential here on earth.

They start valuing things like sustainability, the uniqueness of products, and higher quality in general.

Many people are also choosing to work less, or choosing to work on something that is personally meaningful.

This is why we are seeing an explosion in coaches and other teachers, for example in nutrition, therapy, yoga, physical well-being, music, and all types hobbies and creative crafts.

We are heading towards a self-actualization economy where technology frees people to focus on higher-value, more meaningful, and more human work.

Instead of just working to survive, people will increasingly be able to shape when, where, how, and with whom they work—if they adapt.

Freelancing, solopreneurship, and hybrid work models will grow, giving individuals more control over their careers than ever before.

The unknown is scary but humans have always adapted.

Same here.

The key is to get ahead of the curve, define your most ideal future, and take bold steps toward it each day.

A new way to see this moment in history is as the opportunity of a lifetime.

Know that you can totally revamp your life in 3-5 years, or more perhaps more quickly if you take focused action and go all in.

I started on this journey for real in 2021 when my wife and I decided to move it Italy.

In 2022 I left my 9-5 job and since then have been taking a series of deliberate steps to build up my own advisory and coaching business, publish content, and now start offering products online.

I have transformed my life based on what I find important. I now have freedom in terms of what I work on, who I work with, when I work, and where I work.

None of it was "easy" at the time.

Leaving my consulting jobs after almost 10 years working there was scary.

Moving to Italy as a non-Italian was scary.

Setting up my own business was scary.

Reaching out to clients to sell was scary.

Writing my first post online and putting myself out there was scary.

But for each step, after doing it, and then doing it again, a few months later it no longer felt like such a big deal.

And I'm not done. I'm currently building out a learning academy of the future, to help ambitious people develop self-mastery and build the skills to pursue the life they want. You can check it the first offerings here.

None of it was an overnight success (it never is) but it also does not have to take more than 3-5 years.

If 3-5 years seems like a long time, then you're not thinking big enough. Chances are that the goal you have in mind is only a stepping stone towards the life you truly desire.

The self-actualising economy is all about enabling humans to work on what inspires them and become the best version of themselves.

It isn’t just about jobs—it’s about how we define success, fulfillment, and work itself.

AI and automation won’t destroy work, but they will force us to rethink what “valuable work” means.

Instead of seeing the future of work as something that is happening to you, see it as something you get to shape.

Instead of seeing problems in every situation, see opportunities.

The question isn’t “Will AI take my job?” but “How can I use AI to create the life I want?”

• Start by questioning the beliefs you hold around what life "should" look like, where you need to live, what type of work you do, and how much you work.
• Get informed. Read up on the future of work. Have a conversation with ChatGPT about it. Awareness brings power.
• Take ownership. No one is coming to save you. If you don't define what you want, you'll end up chasing a job and working for someone who instead defines what they need from you.
• Think bigger. Understand exponentiality and rising real incomes. We are becoming more well off. They money is there. What would your dream life look like in 3-5 years?
• Define the business model that will get you there. Is it a fixed job? Freelancing? Building online products or services? A start-up?
• Immerse yourself in the direction you want to go. Talk to people. Learn. Dedicate an hour a day to to advance on your goal. Define a small project you can do to start taking action for real.
• In parallel - Augment your current job with AI and automation, starting tomorrow. Experiment with the new tools. Think 10x not 10%. How can you do what you currently do 10x faster? 10x higher quality? 10x more cheaply?

Instead of focusing on how difficult it is to adapt, focus on the opportunities this presents.

The shift is happening, whether we like it or not, so debating whether it's fair or not doesn't help.

The future belongs to those who shape it.