I don’t forecast often, but I can’t help but think about how this virus will change us, as a culture.
What I see is that things that were “optional” are now becoming essential. Here’s are a few things I expect to see go big in 2020:
1. More work-from-home opportunities. Yeah, if you work in retail or manufacturing, you’ll still be driving to work. But I’ve managed a virtual team in my company for seven years. It is wonderful. Now a bunch of mainstream companies are going to offer more of it, too.
2. Netflix, Hulu, TV, podcasts and entertainment services in general are going to have to keep up with demand. Talkshows will record to empty audiences. But they will still reach your living room. Binge-watching is about to hit new levels.
3. We all knew healthcare was broken. Now we get to see what needs fixing first. We are a clever society. We tolerate icky things when they happen slowly and insidiously, like de-enrolling people from healthcare year after year, allowing opioid companies to distribute unethically, or raising premiums to unaffordable levels. But when the scales tip, we tend to act fast. Look for healthcare and economic debate to dominate the news for awhile. And maybe even get fixed!
4. Amazon, HelloFresh, Sunbasket, pharmacies that deliver, and all those other services that bring goods to your home will grow even bigger. Imagine a world with 50% Amazon trucks on the empty roads, coming to deliver food to a home near you. That’s actually possible.
5. People will be playing it safe. Let’s face it, we’re shaken. No one is going to be changing jobs. Companies won’t be hiring. We are all going to be staying put, waiting for the signal that we can safely emerge from the cave.
6. And because we’re playing it safe…more innovative side-gigs. Yep! Hard to believe? Think about it: you’re suddenly not thinking about quitting your crappy job. Maybe you’re even worried about losing it. So you think instead, “Maybe it’s time I finally get Grandma’s soup recipes out there on the Internet. I bet I could charge for that.” You and millions of others are going to be thinking how things you know are valuable, and how that can translate to extra change. Thousands of micro businesses are going to be born. A new age of online creativity will come from this and solo-preneurs will flourish.
7. Anything that creates virtual connections will do even better. Companies who were already using web-based conferencing will double-down on it. If you do summits, online trainings, or webinars, your attendance may be hurting now, but it’s going to rise bigger than before. If you write ebooks, now is your moment to finish your next one.
8. I can’t guarantee this one, but my hope is: we will love each other more. The last few decades have seen us really divide, hating one another’s politics and person-hoods. Big things remind us that our future is shared. Our lives are shared. Indulging in gridlock is what you do when you can afford it. But when all our lives are at risk, we begin to compromise. And that’s when we grow.
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I would love to hear your comments on this article. Please leave one below!
P.S. Flowdreams to help you feel relaxed and positive about the future (as opposed to afraid) include the Restored, Aligned and In Control Playlist.
Yes Summer! You put into words exactly what I’ve been thinking. In 1885 when I was finishing up my college degree, I read a book called The Third Wave. It predicted that technology would get to the point where more people would be working from home. I’ve been feeling that that future is now. I especially look forward to seeing more love and acceptance of one another! Thank you for all the positive good vibes you put out to the world Summer!
I believe we are moving in a different direction. Seems pretty viable to me
Beautiful! I was thinking along these same lines this morning–what positive things could come out of this challenge. One of my hopes is that we become a world of energy healers who grow our own food and medicinal plants; who also take advantage of staying closer to home/nature and explore creative dreams. I’ve been going down that road for a number of years, but current circumstances have given my “someday” goals a boost. Quit planning what to do some day and do it now! Thank you for your post!
How wonderfully said, Summer! And how very hopeful, as it should be. Strangely, as I was standing in the longer-than-normal line at the grocery store, people were cheerful and cordial. This will stretch those of us that need stretching, and show us just how resourceful we can be!
Yes, my husband was at the store today chatting it up with everyone! So good to see that side of us all.
Very calming and uplifting; of course there’s going to be change – and I love you’re take on it. Although I don’t involve myself in the media that’s around, I still feel a little ‘uncomfortable’… I wish you, your family and everyone here – peace, calm and good health xxxx
Thank you Dawn. To you and yours, too.