Over the last couple of months I've been reading an old book, Future Shock by the American futurist Alvin Toffler. Written in 1970, the similarity with some of the trends and behaviours we are seeing in society are obvious, despite being 55 years old.
Future Shock refers to the psychological and social disorientation people experience when they are subjected to too much change in too short a period of time. Toffler argued that rapid technological, social, and cultural transformations overwhelm people’s ability to adapt, leading to stress, confusion, and decision paralysis.
We’re definitely seeing some of this in the business arena. AI adoption is driving a contracted labour market, with many unsure about whether their role will exist in its current format in five years time, and alongside this a 45% increase in workload and overwhelm has been reported through two independent surveys by PWC and the HR Review. We are also seeing social disruption in wider society and leadership trust gaps are emerging like with the most recent scandal surrounding the BBC.
Yet amidst all of this I’m also hearing stories of innovation from clients, of people harnessing new technologies, finding new ways of working and exploring new roles as the world of work changes around them.
As we approach 2026, I’d invite you to think about the future that is emerging around you. How this might be impacting your industry and business, and what that means for you.
Look back to move forward
So, over the Christmas period, I’d invite you to find yourself 30 minutes to pause. It could be in a quiet space, on a walk, in the car – wherever you feel you can do some thinking. Get yourself a pen & paper, a device or simply record your thoughts on your phone as you talk out loud, whatever works for you.
Crucially, spend no more than 1-2 minutes on each of these questions, and see what emerges.
1. What in your life and/or work is dying or ending, and what wants to be born?
2. What about your current work and/or personal life frustrates you the most?
3. If you were observing yourself from above, what are you trying to do at this stage of your professional and personal journey?
4. What have you learned about yourself this past year that you want to carry forward?
5. Where, right now, do you feel the opening to a future possibility?
6. What are your most important sources of energy? What do you love?
7. What habits or routines help you feel grounded?
8. What vision or intention do you have for you and your work?
9. What are the core elements of the future that you want to create in your personal, professional and social life?
10. What would you like to let go of in order to bring your vision into reality?
11. What would you like freedom from?
12. What would you like freedom for?
13. Over the next three months, if you were to prototype a piece of the intended future with actions, what would that prototype look like?
14. Who can help you make your vision a reality? Who might partner with you and help you?
15. If you were to sum up your intention for 2026 in one word, what would it be?
Hopefully that has moved you forward in your thinking as you approach the New Year.
Annabel is an Executive and Team Coach, Leadership Facilitator and Coach Supervisor. Why not reach out to Annabel for a chat about coaching for yourself or your team on annabel@successfultraining.co.uk, or visit www.successfultraining.co.uk