Tony Robbins Says AI Could Replace Some Jobs — But These 3 Skills Can Help You Thrive
Written by
Cara Danielle Brown
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Amber Barkley
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In a recent interview for the PBD Podcast, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Tony Robbins discussed his view that approximately 40% of today’s jobs will eventually be replaced by AI, robotics and nanotechnology. However, he suggested that, regardless of significant innovations, there are three basic skills that, when used in succession, can help younger generations continue to succeed — and make money — in the future.
Since entrepreneurship is widely considered one of the greatest sources of wealth creation, GOBankingRates examines these skills to show how they can help you thrive even as the professional landscape shifts.
Step 1: Pattern Recognition
The first skill that can help set one up for success in a changing world is pattern recognition: “If you start recognizing patterns, fear disappears,” Robbins said.
This is because identifying a repeated sequence of events allows one to anticipate the outcome the next time around, leading to the ability to leverage valuable, human observations.
Entrepreneurs are constantly scanning and observing people, places and things around them as they hunt for their next profitable venture. In 2006, Robert A. Baron published a foundational report in the Academy of Management explaining that an individual’s ability to connect “events or trends in the external world” correlates with their likelihood to identify new business opportunities.
Example: the early founders of Netflix identified that people wanted to watch movies of their choosing from the comfort of their homes. At the time, a consumer’s primary option was physically going to Blockbuster or another video rental store and renting individual movies.
Employees can use this skill, too — pay attention to trends in your workplace to identify potential problems and opportunities before they arise.
Step 2: Pattern Utilization
Robbins explained that what makes people great is their ability to use the patterns they recognize.
“If you sow the same seeds, you reap the same rewards,” Robbins said, meaning if an identifiable stimulus creates a specific response, utilizing that formula can be advantageous.
Example: Netflix utilized the pattern they observed by mailing specifically requested DVDs to customers for the cost of a monthly subscription fee.
Once you spot a pattern, you can shift your own behavior to take advantage off it. Say your employer has a need for someone in a specific skillset — take some time to learn those skills to keep yourself valuable in your workplace.
Step 3: Pattern Creation
Robbins likened the third and highest-level skill, pattern creation, to composing music: Music is a series of patterns in different combinations, and learning to play the piano involves learning someone else’s pre-written patterns and combinations. Getting good enough at utilizing someone else’s patterns encourages individuals to create their own.
According to Sam Wright, head of operations and partnerships at Huntr, “Humans that ask the best questions will always stay ahead […] in the age of AI; the pattern creators will be the money makers. We are entering a new age where liberal arts and social studies majors will actually have a leg up on pure engineers.”
This is the step requiring a form of innovation and adaptability where human beings excel.
Example: Netflix capitalized on digital technologies and streamed their entire catalogue online while still maintaining a subscription model. According to Forbes, Netflix is currently worth over $400 billion and is credited with massively disrupting media consumption.
You may not build the next Netflix, but if you can create a pattern and encourage others to follow, you’ll be in a good position to make money.
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