Self-discipline, dedication and good communication skills: three things you must learn to embrace the era of the “gig economy”

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Editor’s note: Recently, World Magazine also officially introduced this book “[The Gig Economy is Coming: A head-breaking MBA innovation course, teaching you to bravely challenge a multi-faceted life with multiple incomes and multiple job identities]” (https://www.books.com.tw/exep/assp.php/vista/product s/0010776915?utm_source=vista&utm_medium=ap-books&utm_content=recommend&utm_campaign=ap-201802)》, interested friends are welcome to refer to and purchase!

Friends who know me know that Vista is a bookworm and likes to have conversations with authors through reading. I just recently received the new book “Gig Economy”, so I read it before going to bed and finished the book quickly. Coincidentally, the cover story of the January 2018 issue of “Cheers Happy Workers Magazine” is also about “Gig Economy”, so I recently bought this issue of the magazine from the bookstore and read it carefully.

The “gig economy” referred to here is somewhat different from the so-called “gig work” nowadays. According to my friend Zhang Tiezhi, the rise of the “gig economy” due to the confrontation between technology and the times is regarded as a work type in the 21st century and even in the future.

Having one skill is like being granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Miles.

In other words, the rise of the “gig economy” means that “traditional work patterns and meanings are beginning to be subverted” (https://www.smartm.com.tw/article/33323832cea3). Only “one skill” can truly guarantee a livelihood.

According to the data shared by another friend of mine Yao Changan (the founder of “Hourmasters - Freelancer Accelerator”), about 43% of the world’s population has joined the ranks of freelancers (Freelancer), and the income of freelancers will also exceed that of white-collar workers. In Taiwan, there are also 3.5 million freelancers. It is obvious that the era of “gig economy” in which various practical skills are used as a bargaining chip for making a living has arrived!

If you also want to join the ranks of the “gig economy” and want to have more flexibility in arranging and planning your life, I think there are a few things you must pay attention to.

Self-discipline: Make professionalism a habit

The so-called “self-discipline” refers to the self-discipline and self-management of the behavioral subject, which is based on ambition, sense of mission, sense of social responsibility, life ideals and values.

But instead of thinking of “self-discipline” as a behavior that can obey the laws of inner conscience and properly restrain oneself, I prefer another way of saying - self-discipline is for living a more “advanced” life.

We all have the stereotype that “successful people” are mostly self-disciplined guys. But you and I may be like Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, who can never focus on anything.

But this fact does not affect our pursuit of success. At least please urge yourself to become a selective and self-disciplined person. Start by cultivating the right habits, find your talents and interests, find ways to develop your strengths in specific areas, and develop regular habits.

There’s no doubt about Phelps’ success, but it’s also no fluke. Who could spend up to six hours a day in the water like him? He channeled all his energy into self-imposed discipline, and finally reaped the sweet rewards.

Or we should all ask ourselves, can we devote a lot of time and energy to the things we like every day?

Dedication: Turn your career into a career

Many people work to support their families and live a mediocre life like this. Although it is not a career ambition, it does not seem to be harmful. It is true that no one stipulates that we must pursue the meaning of life, but if we want to find fun and value in it, we should establish a spirit of professionalism - especially in this era of “gig economy” that emphasizes skills.

Maybe you are curious, isn’t it possible to be successful as long as you have good technology? No, that’s not the case. Having powerful skills is just a ticket to the future, or it opens a window for us, that’s all; but we must know that on the road to other opportunities, there are far more important things than technology, waiting for us to experience and practice them!

[Angela． Duckworth] (https://www.vistacheng.com/grit) said: “Every gritty person I studied could point to some aspects of their job that they didn’t enjoy as much, but they were still fascinated by the whole and found it meaningful.”

Turning a career into a career requires constant perseverance and professionalism. The key is not only the trade-off and balance between giving and receiving, but mainly a change of mentality. This mentality is also different from the previous one-stop career thinking. It is indeed difficult to fully express in words, or we can also regard it as one of the core values ​​​​of the “gig economy” era.

There are many important things in life that are worth pursuing for you and me, and work should not take up too much of a priority. Embracing the “gig economy” will also help liberate us from the paperwork-based lifestyle. But in the process of pursuing the freedom to choose a career, professionalism is undoubtedly a part that we should pay attention to.

Communication: Turn problems into needs

In addition to self-discipline and dedication, if you want to become a master in the “gig economy” era (https://www.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5067592), I think communication skills are also indispensable!

After entering the era of “gig economy”, we all have to be mentally prepared for one person to play multiple roles - you need to be able to plan products and sell services, and preferably also know some programming language; in addition to writing product copywriting, it would be even better if you can also do image processing or audio and video post-production!

In addition to your specialized skills and skills, if you can also learn a few tricks in other fields, or even understand the operational logic of certain things, then you will not only be able to do a better job in the workplace, but also be able to give full play to the spirit of the “gig economy”!

[Takimoto Tetsuhi] (https://www.managertoday.com.tw/articles/view/53661), who once worked at McKinsey, said: “Don’t be an expert, be a professional.”

What he means is that in addition to having professional knowledge and experience, we must also have cross-domain knowledge and experience. What’s more important is to be able to propose solutions that meet the needs of the other party based on this knowledge and experience.

In the past two years, I happened to be studying in the [In-service Master’s Program on Cross-Field Integration and Innovation] (https://www.ems.ntu.edu.tw/) at National Taiwan University, and I also received the influence of the School of Engineering, which I found to be particularly meaningful and interesting.

——If you want me to say, in addition to our own professional skills, it is best for us to learn some writing, speech and even business sales skills.

Only through effective communication can we quickly grasp the current market situation and various problems encountered by potential customers, and then, after sorting and summarizing, convert them into the most direct and clear needs and orders.

Philosopher Isaac. Isaiah Berlin believed that all thinkers can be classified into two categories: those who view the world through a specific lens and those who expose themselves to a variety of perspectives. There is no right or wrong or good or bad between these two methods, but I prefer to experience and feel it myself!

In a modern society where there is no set life track to follow, holding high the banner of the “gig economy” is not just about pursuing popularity! I am more committed to being a “professional generalist” and insisting on the value of my own existence; I do not deliberately pursue the right answer, but find the “best answer under the current situation.”

Life is not just about mediocre life, there is also poetry and distance.

It is true that you have to think about your own life. Let us move forward towards a better future step by step!

★ Photo Credit: Edu Lauton

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Further reading

• “77 Copywriting Promotion Tips That Will Make People Buy Their Fingers” Recommended Preface: Copywriting is a spiritual journey
• I watched “The Giants’ Notes”: A gorgeous turn from notes to records
• How to write a touching reading experience

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