It’s been a long time since any new app has created such a stir in the tech industry as ChatGPT did. I have to admit that the rise of AI technology has both amazed and intimidated me. While I have come to rely on ChatGPT to simplify certain tasks in my day-to-day work, I can understand why many of us may be feeling anxious about its impact on our careers. We probably don’t have to worry about looking for a new job (for now), but we certainly can’t sit idle in the face of change. So what should we do?

No matter the profession, it’s common for anyone to reach a level of comfort and security where we stop pushing ourselves to grow and improve.

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that many people have become complacent and are just coasting along in their careers, not striving for deeper connections or seeking out new challenges. This is not just a problem in our profession, but in society as a whole, with the rise of shallow and superficial trends like TikTok and the decline of genuine human relationships.

The ChatGPT explosion is a warning to us: more is needed.

1. Invest in your professional growth & stay curious

Since AI technology may be able to automate the routine tasks in our jobs, it is the complacent and uninspired who have the most to fear.

As Designers and professionals in other fields, our true competency lies not just in our ability to see the surface-level details, but in our ability to grasp the underlying connections and complexities. A true expert is one who not only reaches obvious conclusions, but goes the extra mile to consider a problem from multiple angles, incorporating elements of data analysis, interpersonal communication, psychology, mathematics, and logic.

Let’s talk about concrete things. With years of experience, solving UI Design tasks has become second nature to me. I have faced numerous challenges and can quickly come up with new ideas. While these technical skills are essential, I have realized that they can easily be replicated by AI technology.

So, I have made the conscious decision to shift my focus even more towards UX design, where I believe true expertise lies. This is not just a matter of surface-level Google research, but a deep dive into user research through in-depth interviews and evaluating processes.

I am committed to continuously refining my skills and perfecting my craft through deliberate practice. This means getting more into Design Thinking, Design Psychology and working a lot on my research skills, reporting skills, and interpersonal abilities.

Just as money must be invested to grow, so must our knowledge and skills. Are you familiar with the Parable of Talents?

The Parable of Talents

The Parable of Talents is a story told by Jesus in the New Testament. It revolves around a man who goes on a journey and entrusts his wealth to his three servants. To one servant, he gives five talents, to another two talents, and to the third, only one talent. When the man returns, he asks his servants what they did with the money he gave them.

The first two servants tell the man that they invested the money and doubled the amount they were given. The third servant, however, simply buried the talent and did not use it to make any profit. The man rewards the first two servants for their hard work and creative thinking but punishes the third servant for not using his talent to its full potential. The story ends with the reminder that those who are given much are expected to do much, and that we should strive to maximize our potential and make the most of what we have been given:

‘So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’ (Matthew 25)

Read more

We are all guilty of not reading enough. We often rely on quick, bite-sized summaries that give us the gist of things, but don’t allow us to really absorb and internalize the information. However, in order to truly improve and grow, it’s important to take a step back and give ourselves the space and time to delve deeper into our learning.

↓ For book suggestions, scroll to the bottom of the article.

Practice even more

Not all our projects allow us to try new ways of doing things, although clients are usually open to innovative ideas if they see that everyone can benefit from them. But even if you don’t have the opportunity, you have options:

• You can practice on a fictional project
• Help an NGO with your work and develop your skills in the process
• Take part in a boot camp
• Collaborate with someone using a cool platform like adplist.org

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to put what you learn into practice (which is why I think all professors should have relevant practical experience — but that’s another topic). If you apply these awesome methods and ideas out there, not only will you validate them, but you’ll also level up your skills and expand your portfolio. That’s a win-win situation.

2. Invest in your personal growth (and peace)

It seems to me that as we continue to advance technologically and economically, we are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature and, in turn, our own consciousness is suffering. We find ourselves overindulging and being overindulged by others, leaving us with a sense of restlessness and difficulty finding true peace and quiet.

Amidst the chaos and rapid changes of modern life, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We must remember to take moments of stillness and introspection, to reflect on our values and purpose, and to seek out meaningful connections with others.

Eric Floberg, a popular YouTuber I follow, once said something that really stuck with me: that boredom can be a powerful force for creativity. Nietzsche and Jenny Odell have also touched on this idea, and in my own experience, I’ve found it to be true. When we allow ourselves to be bored, we open up space for our minds to wander, explore, and create.

Have you ever experienced a moment when you are not actively doing something, and suddenly, you are hit with a wave of creativity and ideas? For me, it often happens during a break or when I am doing something unrelated to work, like going for a walk or listening to a lecture. Boredom makes wonders.

We have lived like this for thousands of years — being in nature, being bored. And in communities.

Family & Friends

And we have arrived at what is perhaps most important: who we live with, who we share our lives with, and how close we let people get to us.

This is super relevant to me right now. Recently, my wife and I made the decision to move back to her small hometown after being away for 7 years. Our motivation was simple: we wanted to be closer to our loved ones. They can help us when life is hard and we can spend more time together. The older I am (well, I’m 25 so not that old), the more I start appreciating these things.

At the same time, I tend to fall into the trap of neglecting socializing, which can be pretty embarrassing. It’s easy to get comfortable in our own space, especially when we’ve all been spending so much time at home lately. But I know it’s important to make an effort to connect with others, even if it’s just for a quick coffee or phone call. It’s all about finding that balance, and I’m working on it every day. Even if this means ‘forcing’ myself to call someone.

Hobbies & Fun

Now let’s talk about the fun part. Well, everything else should be fun, but you should really keep doing things that are not work and that you enjoy a lot. Like singing, hiking, anything. Start a side project. A hustle.

Lately, I’ve gotten super obsessed with all things barista-related. I’m already looking for a training program to really master the craft. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll even open up my own coffee shop in our small town: specialty coffee is not as popular here as it should be. But for now, I’m fulfilled by nailing a latte art once in every 5 attempts.

I truly think that when you have a good balance in your personal life, it can really help you deal with changes and challenges, even at work. And vice-versa.

Conclusion

I know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for staying sane in a world where change is the only constant and you might have a different opinion about all this. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that taking a step back and being mindful can make a huge difference. Whether you’re in the boardroom or the living room. Little things can go a long way.

• If you are looking for something profound, take a deep dive into Design Thinking. This is a really nice intro: https://skillshare.eqcm.net/WDB6DO
• For some awesome UX book suggestions, visit this wonderful article by H Locke: https://medium.com/@h_locke/every-ux-book-i-recommend-and-why-673d634ca530
• Eric Floberg’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EricFloberg

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