Radical Resilience: The Art of Thriving in a Fragile World

This is the first of a five-part series of articles on Radical Resilience and its components. I hope to provide guidance and hope to all those struggling during these untested, unsettling, and unusual times. 

Every Word Counts

Every word in this article title "Radical Resilience: The Art of Thriving in a Fragile World" counts. 

Radical

A fundamental, extreme, or original idea coming from the root word. In short, non-traditional approaches. And yes, these are radical times that require a radical approach, as traditional approaches seem to be less effective. Resilience is one of the greatest tools one can employ to deal with this chaos. 

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant stress. Stress can also come when things are great—when you have much on your plate, and it’s positive. Ultimately, resilience is about energy management. 

I disagree with the dictionary definition.  It is NOT bounce back. Humans do not go BACK. You and I are different today than we were a week ago. There is NO going back. 

You can either stay in one place or move..but there is never any going “back.” The path forward is not always clear, nor is it always linear; most of the time, it is not a quick journey but one that requires you to spend time experiencing, reflecting, and learning along the way. 

Our efforts will allow us to become artists and develop our own styles, techniques, and mannerisms that help us stay on the path. 

Art

Art is a personal talent that offers a unique perspective on life. It is a conscious use of skill and creative imagination to produce aesthetic objects, experiences, or expressions that communicate ideas, emotions, or stories. 

That’s why you hear the term “art of living.” You are the artist carving what your life looks like. The more we discover, create, and experience, the more we can thrive. 

Thriving

To thrive is to come alive regardless of the circumstances or environment. It means to grow vigorously, prospering, and flourishing, going beyond mere survival to achieve a state of contentment, well-being, and success. It signifies doing very well, such as thriving as an individual, at home, in business, and in the community. In a fragile world, if we are resilient, we can navigate it. 

Fragile

Fragile refers to things that are easily broken, damaged, or destroyed, often due to being delicate, thin, or weak. It is how many see our world today?

How Has Society Changed? 

This is the start of a five-part series exploring the complex dynamics of living in a world dramatically different from 10 years ago—maybe even 5 years ago! 

If you compare today with 10 years ago, work is less tied to a physical office and more tied to outcomes, connectivity, and flexibility. 

If you compare today with 5 years ago, the biggest difference is that hybrid and remote work are now established patterns, even as some employers are pulling people back to part-time work.

But that is assuming you work for someone.

A Challenged Society of Aging Contractors and Self-Employed

The Wall Street Journal recently reported:

“Self-employment rates rise dramatically as people age. Nearly 30% of employed people in their 70s work for themselves, almost double the share of self-employed people in their 60s, says Cal Halvorsen, an associate professor of social work at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. 

That translates into about 1.3 million septuagenarian entrepreneurs.”

All the baby boomers who are still working today face the daily chore of keeping up with technological innovations, cultural changes, and a dwindling base of clients, referrers, and general connections.

The hardest thing for someone to do is accept change. Today, not only is technology changing, it is being changed by AI, which is creating environments we have never seen before. For this group of people, navigating is like jumping from one ledge to another. One fall, and it's a do-over all over again. 

A Challenged Workforce

With AI, our entire foundation of “what was” is disintegrating before our eyes. An entire office of managers, staffers, and interns could be left in the dark, as AI reformulates their company’s business model. 

After it reformats, some find themselves unemployed and left with no choice but to become contractors and self-employed. But if it is not done yet, it will keep reformatting over and over, leaving the possibility that someday the office will be run by one person.

As AI recycles, everyone is just curious about what is on the other end and left dumbfounded by their new, brave work environment. As AI takes over tasks once enjoyed by individuals and teams of workers, it also takes over responsibility and the pride and joy that accompany it.

For both those still gainfully employed and those looking for work, the atmosphere is dire. With unemployment and the cost of living on the rise, many are joining the aging group of contractors and the self-employed, yet facing the same challenges. 

The Jockeying Younger Workers

Most economists expect modest gains in participation among 20–24-year-olds as demographic pressures force employers to compete harder for labor. Teen rates, however, are likely to remain low.

Though they have a greater edge over others, as they grew up with a screen planted in front of their face. AI is something they are picking up quickly and adapting to with every recycling. 

However, with lower pay, fewer rewards and benefits, and less buying power from a paycheck, younger workers face the biggest challenge. 

They do not have the benefit of remembering better times. They have no idea what it was like to work in a society before 9/11, the Iraq War, the 08’-’09 housing crash, COVID, another war, and a potential recession. 

We Are All in This Together

All three groups are facing their own individual challenges, but each one has its own key to resilience. 

The Art of Thriving as a Senior Member of Society

The older generation has the greatest luxury of having survived other difficult times. I think of myself as a modern elder. Indigenous groups honor elders because they are the conduits of wisdom. For us, the art of thriving is through reflection, experience, and the knowing that all things must pass.  There is more to life than what is seen. 

The Art of Thriving as a Member of the Working Class

The middle-aged generations have the most incentives, as they need to continue to provide for their families, keep a roof over their heads, and maintain the attitude of staying young. For them, loss of equity is feared. 

For them, the art of thriving lies in dedication to family, loyalty to their significant others, love for their children, and community. 

The Art of Thriving as a Younger Member of Society

Again, the younger generation faces the greatest challenge. They literally need to invent themselves in this fragile world. Uncertain of where to go, uncertain of what is ahead, uncertain of how they will survive. 

They lack everything that the elderly and middle-aged members of society have. No memories, nothing to reflect upon, very little life experience, and few have their own families that depend on them. 

For them, the art of thriving is to be creative, innovative, a leader, and to invent the future of the world they wish to exist in. 

Employing Radical Resilience to Help Us Thrive

From deep divisions that divide a nation to dramatic changes in everything from climate to technology, we can’t wait to respond to “an event”. I believe we can actively create work-life patterns that generate meaningful relationships, stimulate personal growth and talent, and re-energize body, mind, and spirit across all generations, ideologies, and religions. 

We are all artists in one form or another. Let’s get creative and explore how we do that!

Stay tuned for the next article, next week, same time, same place. 

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