By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Talking yourself into obsolescence
ded431ed64672f94e88025a6051445c3f0c2c7c90b816a65d6670dfd1c4317fa
We can all become obsolete in a variety of areas. Our personal obsolescence comes because we talk ourselves into it. While there may be many more ways we talk ourselves into obsolescence, here are a mere 10 that push you there on your own volition. - photo by Darrel Hammon
Manufacturers plan for obsolescence, ensuring you will have to trade in your old microwave or iron for a new one, usually just a few years after the warranty goes belly up or after you have paid for the third add-on warranty you purchased to keep the first warranty fresh. Unfortunately, human beings do not have the ability for an extended warranty unless you create your own warranty by improving yourself and your situation.

Our obsolescence comes because we talk ourselves into it. While there may be many more ways we talk ourselves into obsolescence, here are a mere six that push you there on your own volition.

The system wont let us do this (its above my pay grade)

The ubiquitous system has a tendency to lull us into lethargy, thinking that nothing can be done because what you are asking is way above my pay grade. Often we hide behind the system because we do not want to do anything about it, and we erroneously believe that we can keep any information from getting out to the wrong hands, thus allowing us to keep control of the information. Many systems, particularly software systems, have a zillion capabilities, and we only know how to do 10 percent, not wanting to invest in learning anything more. It could be more strenuous than we have the courage for. If we do not take chances and stretch a wee bit, then we will never grow, and the system will run us.

We have done that before, and it didnt work

Thinking that way will never let new and innovative ideas emerge. What if Thomas Edison had said that? No electricity. What if Andy Andrikopolous from Wyoming had said that after he drilled his 700th dry well? No oil. Sometimes, we have to keep on trying or trying a different way to make something happen. Persistence is just part of the equation for success and keeps you out of the obsolescence mode.

Nobody has ever done that

Perhaps not, but that does not necessarily mean it cannot be done. Entrepreneurs are constantly asking the question What hasnt been done before? Or What is needed and is currently not on the market? and then going out and making it happen.

Why do I have do that? Cant someone else do it?

Asking why do I have to that? is merely an avoidance issue because you really dont want to do whatever is asked of you. While some may call it laziness, it may hinge on you not really knowing how to do that particular task. Instead, you feel if you ask for help, you may expose what you do not know to others. Whether it is avoidance, laziness, excuses or some other reason, they will usually relegate you to obsolescence because it shows you dont want to grow and develop. Asking questions is good if you strive to seek out the answers that will help you improve.

This company has been around a very long time so Im pretty safe; besides, I dont do change

Tell that to the whaling industry when the lightbulb came into being or more recently tell that to Blockbuster when Netflix showed up or MySpace when Facebook emerged or dozens of other companies. Change will definitely happen, and it is no respecter of persons or companies. All companies are vulnerable unless they brush off the cobwebs and learn how to do business in an ever-changing ecosystem. Plus, becoming so comfortable with what you are doing may turn into complacency and obsolescence. Employees who choose not to change find themselves out the door or relegated to some job that is menial until the person decides it is beneath or beyond them and quits. Those employees who re-invent themselves will be the emerging workforce. An old adage says, If you are not progressing, you are retrogressing. One of your best choices is to learn new skills along the way and make yourself useful and then keep improving.

Why should I even try?

Asking this question illustrates two possibilities: 1) You are at your wits end and really do not want to try again; or 2) You just say that because you are not willing to put forth the effort. Perhaps you have experienced some negativity in previous or current jobs or you really tried and were put down until you do not even want to try and get up. If you are in that situation, it may be better for you to get out and go somewhere else. Before you go, however, be sure to upgrade your skills and be ready for your next adventure.

Becoming obsolete in the workplace can only cause pain and harm to you and your career, but learning how to be creative and inventive will propel you along the ever-changing path that will keep your head above the froth of life. Obsolescence does not become you.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
How to avoid 'sharenting' and other paparazzi parenting habits
ce406c66b9871a104ac24256a687e4821d75680dcfc89d9e5398939543f7f88f
A recent study revealed parents often spend up to two hours staging a single photo of his or her child to post online. - photo by Amy Iverson
Before having kids, some people just dont appreciate their friends baby posts. But after having a child of their own, three fourths of new parents jump right on the parental social media bandwagon. If you have become a member of this group, there are some rules to follow for posting responsibly.

Much of a parents worry is how to teach their children to use social media responsibly. We talk with our kids about privacy, oversharing, and setting restrictions on their devices to keep them safe. But parents themselves need to look in the digital mirror once in a while. Before having children, it doesnt take as much effort to think about what to post online. Its up to us to decide what we share about our own lives. But once you become a parent, there are many questions to think about regarding what is appropriate to post about your kids on social media.

In a recent survey, kids clothing subscription company Mac and Mia surveyed 2000 new parents to find out how they are documenting their kids lives on social media, and what concerns they may have.

First of all, people without children seem to feel a bit differently about the onslaught of baby pictures online than those who are parents. 18 percent of people say before they had kids, they were annoyed by their friends baby posts. But after having children of their own, 73 percent admit they post progress pictures of their little ones every single month.

Not only are new parents letting the world know each time their baby is a month older, but they are posting about their kids every few days or so. Men and women report they post 6-7 times per month about their baby.

And while 70 percent of new parents say the benefit of using social media is how easy it is to help family and friends feel involved, there are some downsides. Here are a few tips to avoid the pitfall of becoming paparazzi parents.

Dont miss the moment

In the Mac and Mia survey, some parents admitted to spending up to two hours to get the perfect shot of their baby. That seems a little extreme. New and old parents alike should be careful about spending so much time taking pictures and videos that they dont enjoy the moment. Years ago, I decided to never live an experience through my phone. A study by Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, found that when people took pictures of objects in an art museum, they didnt remember the objects as well as if they simply observed them.

This photo-taking impairment effect can happen to parents as well. If we are so consumed by getting the perfect photo, we can miss out on the moment all together, and our memory of it will suffer.

Dont forget about privacy

60 percent of couples say they have discussed rules and boundaries for posting their babys photos, according to the Mac and Mia survey. Even so, men are 34 percent more likely to publish baby posts on public accounts. If parents are concerned about their childrens privacy, keeping photos off of public accounts is a given.

In the Washington Post, Stacey Steinberg, a legal skills professor at the University of Florida, and Bahareh Keith, a Portland pediatrician, wrote that sharing too much information about kids online puts them at risk. They write that all that sharenting can make it easier for data thieves to target out kids for identity theft. Check that your privacy settings are where they should be and never share identifying information like full names and birth dates.

Dont be paparazzi parents

36 percent of parents say they take issue when their childs photo is posted online by someone else. Responsible social media users will always ask permission before posting a photo of another child. But parents should also think about whether their own children will take issue with their own posted photos a few years down the road.

When parents are constantly snapping pictures and throwing them on social media, it can be easy to forget to pause and make sure the post is appropriate. I always use the billboard example with my kids. I ask them to picture whatever they are posting going up on a billboard in our neighborhood. If they are okay with that, then their post is probably fine. Parents should ask themselves this same question when posting about their children. But they should also ask themselves if their child would be OK with this post on a billboard in 15 years. If it would cause embarrassment or humiliation, it might be best to keep it private.

Once children reach an appropriate age, parents should include them in the process of deciding what pictures are OK to post. Researchers at the University of Michigan surveyed 10- to 17-year-olds and found children believe their parents should ask permission more than parents think they should. The kids in the survey said sharing happy family moments, or accomplishments in sports, school and hobbies is fine. But when the post is negative (like when a child is disciplined) or embarrassing (think naked baby pictures or messy hair), kids say to keep it off social media.
Latest Obituaries