Technology moves fast, too fast sometimes! It moves so fast it can feel impossible to keep up. Just when you have thought you have learned about the latest device, app, or trend, something newer and more advanced comes along! How can that be?
The last thing you heard about was unbelievable in what it could do! Even if I write the latest thing I’ve learned about today, tomorrow it will be old news, so I am not even going to mention it.
This fear of being left behind isn’t about not knowing all the different gadgets or apps. It’s tied to bigger fears, much bigger ones.
For example, if you fall behind in keeping up with technological advances, will your job or business be put at risk? Many people today are facing this challenge, with automation replacing jobs and changing industries. There’s also growing fears about artificial intelligence (AI).
You only have to watch the movies to see what may be around the corner! Will it leave you behind, or will you struggle to understand its potential impact on your future? While some industries are struggling to adapt to all the new advances, others are thriving by leveraging AI as a powerful tool rather than viewing it as a potential threat.
Another common concern is privacy. As technology continues to evolve, it can feel as though our identities and personal information are being increasingly exposed. The convenience of digital tools is great, but often it comes with the trade-off of sharing more about ourselves than we might be comfortable with.
Why New Technology Can Feel So Overwhelming
As we know, the pace of technological progress is faster than ever. New innovations that once took decades to complete, now happen in just a few seconds! Plus, the advances in these new ‘things’ are phenomenal!
Think about this for a second. The first iPhone was released in January 2007, today, they’re a household word and not too many people don’t have some sort of smartphone. They have almost become essential.
You don’t really see anyone without one anymore, young or old. It still feels strange to some of us when we see a 2 year old use one better than a spoon, or a 90 year old check their latest messages.
Then you have AI tools like ChatGPT, that went from a niche experiment to widespread use in the blink of an eye!
Oh the pressure! What other things are we missing out on? We worry about keeping up because falling behind feels like we’re losing out. We don’t know what, but there must be something we don’t know about.
Dealing with Rapid Technological Change
You know things are going to change, so instead of viewing technology as something to fear, try seeing it all as an opportunity. Each new tool or system you hear about gives you a chance to learn. It may even help you streamline your work, or even uncover possibilities you hadn’t considered before.
By shifting your mindset, you can transform your fears into something good if you allow yourself to do so.
You also don’t need to be an expert in every emerging technology, but you can stay curious! Staying curious makes all the difference. Your goal shouldn’t be to learn about everything, your goal should be to remain curious enough to stay informed, without feeling overwhelmed.
Now although you don’t need to learn everything, continuous learning is the key to staying relevant. Whether it’s enrolling in an online course, or experimenting with new software, making education a consistent habit helps you adapt to changes more easily.
So if you have a fear of being left behind in the age of technology, most of us do! Yes, the unknowns of future technology and new advances can be intimidating, but they can also be exciting, if you let them be.
When things get you down, think about how much you’ve already adapted in the past decade. Chances are, you’ve gone through more technological changes than you realize!
Depending on your age, some are really funny to look back on. That’s proof that you’re capable of growing with the times, even when it feels challenging. Instead of being fearful, have a good laugh and get excited!
