We are in this in-between space, processing what happened to us over the last 19 months. For some, the wounds are still deep. Others are feeling better, but not great. There is a small cohort of wealthy people who saw their fortunes skyrocket to unfathomable levels.
Two years ago, we would’ve said success means earning a lot of money, having a big house, nice cars, traveling around the world, a summer home in the Hamptons and all of the trappings and accoutrements signifying that you’ve “made it.”
Throughout the pandemic, most of us are just trying to make it through. One of our biggest goals has been to ensure that we stay safe and avoid catching the dreaded virus. As millions of Americans lost their jobs, the people that remained employed held on for dear life. Frontline workers—and those who had to interact with people on a regular basis—deemed a successful day as coming home without getting sick or spreading Covid-19 to their loved ones.
Success, for now, is not defined solely by your bank account or investment portfolios. We are in an evolving time period, still hurting, but growing more optimistic as the days go by. It will be a moving target; however, for now, it feels that success is staying healthy and safe and being treated like an adult and paid well at your company, while taking back control over your life.
Introspection
As we’re in the waning days of the pandemic, people are starting to reflect on what they want to do in their professional lives. We are collectively questioning everything. There seems to be a consensus that we don’t want to go backward to how we used to work.
The Great Resignation trend symbolizes our new mindset. It’s an evolving revolution. The last nearly two years made us contemplate our lives. This entails what type of person we want to become, the job or career that offers satisfaction and a sense of purpose and meaning.
Most people have come to the conclusion that our life here on earth is precious and fleeting. Since we only have limited time here, it’s important to make the best of it. Commuting three hours a day and working for a bad boss, while not being paid fairly and having to be subjected to shabby treatment doesn’t cut it any longer. We’re worth more than that.
People have decided to stand up for themselves. If not treated well, they’re going to move on to another company that will actually care about them. We’ve already seen millions of Americans quit over mistreatment, lack of respect and not treating workers with empathy or dignity. Over 10 million jobs are available, but are left unfilled because people are on strike against accepting dead-end jobs for low pay.
Time Over Title
Coming out of the pandemic, it feels like our definition of success will be significantly different. We will value time over status. Freedom and autonomy is better than a fancy corporate title. The vast majority of Americans and people around the world will balk at being told to return to an office setting, five days a week, forever.
Commuting three hours a day in congested traffic or suffering in crowded trains and buses, just to sit at a desk, sending out emails and getting on one Zoom call after another doesn’t make sense any longer. Having you there staring at a computer screen may assuage the ego of a mid-manager, but it ruins the lives of workers.
Reallocating the commuting time alone saves hours each day. This doesn’t include the wear and tear on your body and mental health, racing to or missing a train. Success is not having to come home too tired to do anything other than eating dinner, crashing on the couch, watching a little Netflix or a sporting event, then going to sleep—only to start the vicious cycle all over again.
Freedom And Autonomy Is Priceless
People will want to work for companies and managers that provide them the flexibility to decide where, when and how they work. Remote or hybrid work will be top on the list. There will be a preference to spend more time at home with family and friends, engage in hobbies and practice self-care. The health crisis will have us exercising more, eating healthy and taking care of ourselves. It’s hard to do this if you’re stuck in a hermetically sealed skyscraper 10 hours a day with forced air and heat, windows that can’t open and harsh fluorescent lighting.
Having the freedom and autonomy to schedule your own day without constant interruptions and interference from the boss will be sacrosanct and paramount. Ownership of your daily life is more valuable than a little extra money, fancy corporate title and someone controlling your every movement, all day long. Although, you do want to get paid well, commensurate with your output and not based on facetime in the office.
Not Everything Will Change
There will still be people who cling to the old ways. Thirty to 40 years of a habit is hard to break. Most likely, Baby Boomers will continue donning their suits and go into the office. Once there, they’ll happily assert their authority, bossing underlings around, so that they’ll feel important. Some folks will still cling to the hustle-porn ethos, getting up early to work crazy-long hours, so they could impress their friends on how busy and tired they are.
Buying, selling and trading meme stocks, NFTs and cryptocurrencies will keep going strong. Entrepreneurs will start new, cool businesses. Their version of success is taking big risks to earn a lot of money to lead the lives they dream about.
For others, money and status symbols will take a backseat. It’s going to be hard when you constantly see rich people online flaunting their wealth, power and privilege. It’s human nature to compare yourself to others. Over the pandemic, incredible wealth was generated. It will take a lot of willpower not to feel inadequate or envious.
Gen-Z And Millennials
The Gen-Z and younger Millennials have a different mindset compared to older generations. Before the outbreak, they didn’t see much of their parents, as they were busy working long hours and weekends. The financial crisis forced them out of work and onto unemployment lines. The pandemic ruined high school and college for them. They’ll rebel against the old status quo. Meaningful work that serves a purpose is what they want. They desire an employer to share and support their values and ideals.
Loyalty to one company is laughable, as they’ve seen how their moms and dads were unceremoniously let go when their companies had to make cost cuts or relocate jobs to other countries. This demographic knows that they are on their own—and it’s fine by them. They’ll move to places that appreciate them and won’t stick around if they’re not offered the money and advancement potential.
For the foreseeable future, fighting for and winning better wages and fair treatment, having autonomy over our lives, the end of long commutes, being treated as adults in the workplace, being paid what you’re worth and appreciating a healthy work-life balance are signs of success for the post-pandemic era.
Source: Forbes
