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How To Beat FOBO: The Fear Of Becoming Obsolete In Your Industry
We've all heard of FOMO (or fear of missing out), but there's yet another concerning trend in the workplace streets. FOBO, or fear of becoming obsolete, is real, and it's affecting women professionals in significant ways. According to a recent report, 22% of professionals believe advances in technology will make their jobs obsolete, reflecting a rise in concerns compared with 2017. Women were found to be more concerned than men, and the worries hit those ages 18-34 much more than other age groups surveyed.
Why does this matter? Well, the rise in the use of AI in the workplace (yeah, hey, ChatGPT) has been found to disproportionately affect women, especially since many of us hold jobs expected to be affected the most by automation (think retail workers, administrative assistants, healthcare professionals, and finance personnel, to name a few). And though Asian and White professionals have a higher percentage in this category, 15% of Black professionals face high "levels of exposure to AI."
So, how do we combat FOBO? Here are a few tips in case you're facing this very real, justified fear:
1. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
While tech has had its fair share of layoffs, bias challenges, under-representation in tech roles specific to AI, and employment woes, there's still room for women to thrive in tech and learn innovative ways to use AI in their workplaces. One CEO suggests that companies empower their teams by getting them into programs to help them "feel empowered and inspired by AI and its potential." On the flip side, as an employee, find ways to advocate for yourself and fellow women in your office by talking with your manager about such programs, requesting that they finance and offer training, and online courses, or demanding other ways your workplace can support your understanding and knowledge about AI and other tech advancements.
Another good idea is to connect with the tech department or others at your company who are savvy. Have coffee with them. Sit in on meetings if you can. Ask them to show you a few things when they have the time. Request to assist managers in strategizing tech-related budgets or other areas of the business that involve leadership in that area.
(This is one way I learned about digital media before a company I worked for even started monetizing it--before social media became what it is today. It led to expanding my skills, and when my previous job indeed became quite obsolete, I was already on to a different aspect of journalism, and I'm still here almost 20 years later.)
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2. Find ways to update your soft skills and/or get new training that adds to your credentials and ability to be the best at what you do.
It's always good to be a lifelong learner, and if there are certifications or other ways to get more experience and education to help you advance, go for it. Don't think of it as being the leader of Team Too Much. Think of it as becoming the highest version of yourself and keeping the fire alive in what you're spending time doing to make a living. Nobody likes to get bored with work, and a great solution for avoiding a rut is to stay ahead of the game by boosting your knowledge, qualifications, communications skills, and tech proficiency.
3. Network and authentically connect with amazing people in your industry.
Whether you decide to do this across or above, building relationships with great people doing creative, innovative, or disruptive things in your industry is essential. And you don't have to fake it or force it, and it doesn't have to be the so-called "leaders," or "40 under 40" listers either. (No shade, but there are indeed so many folks out there who have unique and progressive vision, know how to effectively solve problems, or have knacks in skills like salesmanship, presentation, spiritual actualization, or motivation.)
When you're able to relate with others authentically (and when it makes sense), you're better able to enjoy a fulfilling, long-term career and find opportunities for promotions or partnerships. There's always an opportunity out there for you.
Sometimes, it's not just about who fought their way to the top, having lunch with the CCO, or being part of the cool crew at work. It's about people saying your name in rooms that you're not in, advocating for you to remain on staff even when layoffs are unavoidable, recommending you for other opportunities if you indeed end up on the chopping block, or finding ways to use your skills in other roles so that you're never really without a job.
And you don't have to be the "boss," per se, to be a leader. Simply be sure you're offering real value in whatever position you're in and that you're putting your own authentic stamp on the projects you work on to positively impact the people you work with or serve.
4. Always have a real exit strategy, even if your job is a "dream" one.
Every successful person knows how long they'll stay at a company, they know when it's time to move on, and they know how they'll strategically level up. Sometimes, becoming obsolete in a job is directly related to staying in a position too long or getting stagnant at one organization instead of elevating either via the roles you go for or the companies you work for. You don't have to be stuck to one position, role, or job for a decade or more. You should be challenging yourself at each level to outgrow it and move on---make room for the next person who's trying to elevate in their own right.
Pay close attention to where things are going in your industry, what companies or leaders are innovating, what's trending, and how you can use your skills to transition into something or to somewhere new when it's the right time. Don't wait until there are rumors of layoffs, you're burned out or disgruntled, or that moment when there are sweeping layoffs in another department to put a plan together as to how you'd like to drive the ship that is your career.
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Mariee Revere On Her History-Making Million-Dollar Sales And The Future Of MoonXCosmetics
If the name Mariee Revere sounds familiar, it's probably because you heard of her beauty and skincare brand, MoonXCosmetics, or you may have heard about her history-making achievement of making $1.8 million in less than eight minutes. But before starting her million-dollar brand, Mariee was just a teenager trying to cure her acne.
While she grew up in the skincare capital of the world, South Korea, Mariee didn't really experience breakouts until her senior year of high school. Like many people who get their first breakout, she didn't know what to do, and there weren't many products out there at that time. So she decided to experiment. What she didn't know was that what she came up with would ultimately be her ticket to success.
"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
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When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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