The Myth of Futureproofing ANYTHING

The term Future proof is being used a lot over the past few years, and continues today.  You find it in advertisements for a number of products, like learning (Future Proof Your Job), career (enroll for this course to future proof your career), family and relationships (buy this product to future proof this relationship). Given my reading and experience, I wondered if any form of future-proofing would be possible in reality.  Here are some definitions of the term "future proof" that I checked from the net to see if my understanding matched (it did).

Future proof is a term used to describe a product, service, or business that is designed or structured to withstand the challenges of the future. www.bluestonepim.com

to design software, a computer, etc. so that it can still be used in the future, even when technology changes - Cambridge Dictionary

If you future-proof something, you design or change it so that it will continue to be useful or successful in the future if the situation changes - Collins Dictionary

As you can see, the definitions talk about the ability of something to stay relevant and useful even when surrounding circumstances change in the future.  

The reality is that knowing what is in the future is one thing, but knowing what the change means is an entirely different matter.

Considering that the number of changes in the world over the past 8 years (like the lockdowns) were mostly unpredictable, very little of what we have known for sure in the past has remain unchanged.  Even without the explosion of AI tools, the requirement for people to adapt has greatly increased in the past 30 years.

The current war in the middle east and other domestic and international policies provide zero indication of things stabilizing, so in reality, do you really think you can future proof anything?

What can you do?

• Develop awareness of yourself i.e. strengths, weaknesses, and so on.  I've given more details in this video here - https://youtu.be/9etu02AtSJA. 
• Upgrade yourself. Keep learning things that you could possibly turn into a career and make money.
• Study trends - political and market. Review the recent past, keep an eye on current trends and attempt to discern which way the wind seems to be blowing.
• Get a mentor or coach - It always helps to have someone to talk to about such things.  If there's someone in the family who you trust and look up to for advice, then please do that, or else put aside funds to engage a professional (like me).
• Build your network - become known in the industry you work or want to work.  Essentially, it means be polite to everyone you meet, without evaluating how someone may be able to help you.
• Do your own due diligence - Beware of tall claims, should you wish to opt for one of the offers of future proofing, and take the time to understand what contingencies they have planned for, what costs are involved, including time (you definitely can't get your time back), do reference checks on your own, be clear about the benefits that are being promised.  Some of these offers may actually suit your needs, especially if they're being open and honest with you.

Finally - don't believe all the ads you see about future proofing your job, career, business, industry.  Nobody really knows the future either.