MM201

It’s a different world now, than 5 years ago, but I think the biggest changes are still to come.

I often sit and wonder what things will be like in 10 years time and ask myself the question “Will I be able to keep up?”

I have already shut out Instagram and Snapchat as things that I don’t relate to and don’t want to let into my, already busy, life.

I do want to be on top of new things and embrace positive changes in all aspects of life and I like the idea of contactless payment methods, driverless cars and artificial intelligence making life easier and more efficient. I just wonder where it will lead and question how I am preparing my children for a future I don’t even understand myself yet.

Some of the subjects they are learning at school might not be relevant for their future. Should I encourage the use of computers, phones and electronic devices, more, instead of sending them swimming or out to play football and limit their time on IT?

Their futures will inevitably be more and more automated. An app for this, a download for that, shopping from home and not having to leave the house, for much, is already how we live.

You can’t beat the good old days though! You can artificially connect to ‘friends’ on a multitude of social platforms but you can’t beat going out with mates to a festival, to have a nice meal or a few beers, face to face. 

Having the ability to connect with other people requires social skills, empathy and a degree of emotional intelligence, especially if you have a variety of personalities in your social network. If you work with colleagues, manage a team or are part of a team, social skills are vital for collaboration and team work.

Influencing and negotiation are ‘must have’ skills to get anywhere in life. These are skills I still think our children need to learn, so some things do not change and probably never will.

As long as we need to interact with other people we will always need to learn how to act and behave to connect successfully. 

Swiping right or left might weed out, or include the obvious, but it doesn’t guarantee a successful relationship. That takes skill and personality, charisma and charm, which you can only develop by getting away from the computer and meeting real people.

Who do you need to build better relationships with? How about going for a chat and a coffee and spending time being interested in each other, asking great questions and listen to the music between the words. 

Now that would take social skills……

Having said that, if you have teenage Sons and you are managing to get a grunt of some sorts, now and then, you are doing well – some things really don’t change!

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