“Time is a currency you can only spend once, so be careful how you spend it.”
― Harmon Okinyo
Intro:
During the 1960s, regions now known as the First World saw massive economic growth. In Japan, my home country, the economy grew by almost 10% annually. The boomer generation often proudly reminisces about how ‘lucky’ they were to be born in the post-World War 2 era, a time when wages were rising almost automatically.
The narrative, however, is different for our generation. I was born in Japan during the peak of the bubble economy. Just a few years after my birth, the country experienced a massive economic crash, and our economy has been on a downward trend ever since.
The older generation has labeled ours the ‘Satori-sedai,’ which directly translates to ‘the generation of pity’ in English, largely due to the economic climate we were raised.
But hold onto your gear, boomers! How can you label us as a generation of pity? If they consider themselves the luckiest generation solely because of the ‘miraculous’ economic growth back then, it suggests their luck and happiness were dependent on external factors, not internal growth. They didn’t have to focus on self-improvement, like reskilling or learning new skills.
As long as they stayed at their desks, performing the kind of bullshit jobs depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street, they were fine, even if they were low-skilled.
Stop surrendering to the world:
If your financial stability hinges solely on your country’s economic performance, that’s a sign of limited skills. In my view, what we should strive for is independence from the external world. If you possess a strong, transferable skill that’s relevant across various industries, achieving this independence is possible.
I recommend focusing on tech skills, as they offer borderless independence and freedom. Whether it’s software development, server setup, network communications, or building machine learning systems, the demand for tech skills is consistently growing and will continue to do so.
Having options:
Freedom – when you hear that word, what comes to mind? Freedom of speech, religion, or the press? There are many forms of freedom in our world, and for me, it’s the freedom of relocation.
History shows us that nothing is permanent. Kingdoms have fallen, empires have crumbled, and even in today’s society, we see shifts in global power balances. It’s uncertain whether countries currently considered ‘First World’ will maintain their wealth indefinitely.
If you possess a skill that’s globally recognized, you have the freedom to choose where you live and spend your life, regardless of what happens in your home country or region.
To me, having options represents an unparalleled level of freedom in the modern world – a concept that has always been important. With the right skills, you’re not stuck enduring a bad boss or staying in a job you hate just to make ends meet.
There’s a distinct difference between a job and a career. A job is something you do for income, while a career is built over time through skills and experience. So why not transform your job into a personal ‘Disneyland’, where you can experiment and learn about things that excite you?
When you focus on building a career while enjoying what you do, watch where it takes you in a year. You’ll likely see a significant change in your life.
Conclusion:
In summary, achieving independence from external factors can greatly impact your life. It’s easier said than done, but in a modern world where relying solely on your government isn’t always feasible, the most reliable assets are yourself and your skills. Give it a shot and see where it leads. You might just discover your own personal Disneyland.