Andrew J Scott Lynda Gratton
OURWORLD has been turned upside down by coronavirus – the habits of a lifetime punctured and our lifestyles severely disrupted, as if a time machine had transported us back to an earlier age. But now, as the controls are slowly set in reverse, and we begin the process of coming out of lockdown, our post-pandemic lives will look very different.At times it is going to feel as if we are still trapped in a strange version of the past where families spend most of their time together, our social lives are more restricted and overseas travel is an exotic option few can enjoy.
Yet, at the same time, we have accelerated our move into an online world of working, buying and communicating.That leap forward also reveals perhaps our greatest future challenge – how to keep both the economy and an older population healthy. So what can we learn from this time travel What should you expect now and in the future and how should you prepare yourself? Two leading futurology experts share their predictions...
Next Six Months
In the short-term, even as non-essential shops reopen and some return to offices, we will continue to grapple with lockdown policies whilst preserving social distancing. That means phased shifts at work and hybrid work/office arrangements and dealing with the challenges of commuting safely. Expect frequent workplace health tests to reassure people it’s safe to return and further encouragement to cycle or walk to work.
Next Two Years
The Bank of England believes we are heading for the worst recession in more than 300 years.That means a tough financial environment and firms looking to cut costs and jobs. Expect accelerating automation through greater use of Artificial Intelligence and robotics. Coronavirus has revealed how financially vulnerable we are to sudden social disruptions, so make sure automation isn’t your next unpleasant shock. Building up your online skills will help, but also focus on roles where human qualities such as empathy and creativity still dominate.
Next Five Years
As part of those efforts to cut costs, companies will look to reduce their property footprint.They will shift further towards a hybrid of working from the office and home, and invest in local hubs. Expect flexible working hours to become the norm with a four-day week for many. Much of this flexibility will come through the growth of the so-called “gig economy” – a labour market of short-term contracts and freelance jobs.We will have to be more entrepreneurial about managing our long-term career.
Next Six Months
It’s time now to focus on losing those extra pounds gained during lockdown. Over the summer, you are likely to be joining millions of others in taking outdoor exercise.With gyms closed, expect parks, roads and the countryside to be packed with cyclists, runners and walkers.As the number of Covid-19 infections falls, contact your GP about non-coronavirus-related health issues.
Next Two Years
GPs have moved online during the crisis and this will continue apace as monitoring your health increasingly becomes a digital activity. Expect a vast array of new wearable apps to appear asAmazon,Apple and Google battle it out to become major players in the healthy living sector.
your online skills Next Five Years
The UK population is getting older. In 1970, just one in 25 people was over 75; and one in 120 over 85. By 2050, that will change to one in seven; and one in 20. Coronavirus has revealed how crucial healthy ageing is.We need a health system that keeps people out of hospital, rather than one based on treating them when they become ill.That means a greater emphasis on healthy ageing and lifestyles, especially for those over 50. Expect greater interventions and more drug treatments aimed at slowing down the biological path of ageing itself.
POINTERS: Andrew J
Scott and Lynda Gratton Next Six Months
The traditional boundaries between work and home have dissolved as millions work from home.And whilst women are still carrying the major load in caring, more fathers than ever are getting actively involved with their children. Over the coming months parents will begin to decide which aspects of these short-term habits they have developed they want to take into the