Getting work ready for 2021 & beyond

2020 was unlike any year our generation has faced.

One of the main reasons 2020 affected our life was that we were not prepared for it. To be fair, it’s not like we knew a pandemic would turn our world, both personal and professional, upside down.

But 2021 has just begun, and we can still adapt to how the pandemic has changed life as we know it.

In this blog, you can read about the upcoming workplace trends, skills in demand and different things you need to focus on to prosper this year.

Understand What You Can Expect From 2021

Hybrid Work Models

Work from home has become the new norm due to the pandemic. And while many are anxiously waiting to go back to their offices, not many want the traditional work structure to return.

2021 has encouraged companies to embrace a Hybrid work model where there is a balance between working from home and the office.

A Huge Push Towards A.I & Automation

According to IDC, the AI industry will experience a 12.5% growth. Additionally, a forecast by IDC’s Worldwide Semiannual Artificial Intelligence Tracker estimates the global revenue surpassing $300 billion.

In 2021, A.I. and Automation will not just be a perk, but a necessity.

With enterprises embracing the hybrid work structure and anticipating other potential disruptions, A.I. and Automation will enable businesses to manage communication and optimize the way they function efficiently.

Productivity & Engagement-driven Workforce

Engaged employees are more invested in their jobs than their counterparts. Businesses will focus on employee engagement by motivating them to stay committed to the goals of the organization.

Instead of just getting the job done, businesses will emphasize on ensuring that their employees are enthusiastic about their work. This innovative work-approach will boost their employees’ productivity, increase the employee retention rate, and have a positive impact on the organization.

Learn the Skills That Are In Demand

Learning new skills not only helps you stay relevant but also keeps your mind engaged.

Identify the skills that are in demand in your industry. Learning present-day skills is a great motivator to keep moving forward in your career. It is an excellent way to position yourself as a strong candidate and add credibility to your expertise.

However, not only is it crucial to gain new skills that are in demand primarily for the industry you are involved in, but it is equally essential to develop soft skills.

No matter which industry you are a part of, top-notch communication and negotiation skills are a must to set yourself apart.

Take time out to enhance your creativity, improve your problem-solving skills, and even work on your emotional intelligence as they will be equally valued when you look for a new job.

Cultivate A Growth Mindset

When you cultivate a growth mindset, you will challenge yourself to keep learning, which will unquestionably impact all aspects of your life.

While this may seem like a concept you’ve always wanted to embrace but never knew how to, you don’t have to worry. You can take small steps that will carve the path for you towards cultivating a growth mindset.

Always acknowledge your shortcomings. If you hide your mistakes from yourself, you will never be able to move past them.

Don’t seek approval from others. Give your best for everything you do and prioritize learning over validation.

Learn to enjoy the process. While it is great to keep your end goal in mind, if you relish the process more than valuing the result, you will never think of quitting.

Focus more on how much you’ve learned than how fast you did it. Some things may require more time and effort than others.

Don’t always expect perfection from yourself. Focus on progress rather than excellence.

While it is important not to compare yourself with others, be smart and learn from the mistakes they’ve made.

These are just a handful of things you can do to cultivate a growth mindset.

Evaluate Your Way of Thinking

Analyze your way of thinking and work on your critical thinking skills.

Learn how to systematically process information to make better decisions, especially when you have to navigate any sudden changes that may occur in your life.

There are several ways to improve your critical thinking skills.

When you approach any problem, start from the lowest level. Sometimes while we have something big in mind, we are likely to forget the baseline. It is vital to remind yourself and move forward systematically.

Don’t assume things. Questioning assumptions when you’re stuck tends to ignite a spark that may otherwise miss.

Reason through logic and always evaluate the validity of any argument. Logical reasoning skills help you perceive problems without emotional interference. When you make critical professional decisions, this is a skill you need to master.

You should also engage in more profound and meaningful conversations with your colleagues to form stronger work relationships. Team building activities are an excellent way to develop critical thinking and improve your team’s bond.

Keeping in mind the limitations posed by the pandemic, we at Jambar Team Building organize virtual team building sessions to help your team, work more efficiently.

Be Ready for Unforeseen Circumstances

Alongside enhancing your critical thinking ability, you need to understand that organizations incorporate sustainability as a core aspect in coming up with new innovative ideas.

Developing sustainable thinking will allow you to make decisions keeping in mind the long-term implications of your actions.

Innovative thinking will ensure that you come up with fresh and creative ways to tackle problems.

In 2021, businesses now perceive sustainability as the principal factor of innovation.

Now you know and understand the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic. Take advantage of everything you’ve learned and get ready to make 2021 the best year of your life.