🚨 The Relevance Crisis: Why Some People Thrive While Others Fade 🚨
If you’re not evolving, you’re disappearing—whether you realize it or not.
I had the opportunity this past weekend to visit two universities as my son Alex is pondering an uncertain future and set of decisions around schools, careers, sports, etc. It got me thinking at each and every interaction; is this relevant? Is it still relevant? Will it help him based on its relevance? Is it evolving fast enough to keep up with the world? Am I relevant?
I’ve seem to watch it happen over and over, even at times feeling it myself. Smart, capable people—once at the top of their game—suddenly find themselves out of sync with the world around them (either by choice or not). Their expertise? No longer cutting-edge. Their perspectives? Trapped in another era. Their relevance? Fading, fast.
And here’s the scary part: most people don’t even see it happening.
Data backs this up.
52% of professionals feel their skills are outdated—yet only 34% actively invest in continuous learning.
Companies that fail to adapt to market shifts have an 80% higher chance of closing their doors within a decade.
Relevance isn’t just a career issue—it’s a life issue.
The world is evolving at warp speed. Technology, culture, and even the way we communicate are shifting beneath our feet. The question isn’t whether change is coming—it’s whether you’re keeping up.
The good news? Relevance isn’t about being the smartest or the youngest. It’s about cultivating habits that keep you in the conversation—not watching from the sidelines.
What is relevance? At its core, relevance is the degree to which something is connected to or useful in a given context. In our personal lives, it means aligning our knowledge, skills, and perspectives with the ever-evolving world around us.
Staying relevant ensures that we remain engaged, effective, and valued in our communities and relationships.
Here are five small, daily shifts that will help you stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your relevance. I would love nothing more if you share yours in the comments.
1. Expand Your Worldview with Intentional Learning
The biggest threat to relevance is intellectual stagnation. The more you expose yourself to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, the more adaptable you become. Research shows that people who actively learn something new each day—whether it’s an emerging technology, a geopolitical shift, or a cultural movement—are 43% more likely to navigate life transitions successfully.
The key? Intentional variety. Don’t just consume information that confirms what you already know. Instead:
✔ Follow thought leaders outside your industry.
✔ Read news sources with different viewpoints.
✔ Set a daily “learning quota” (one podcast, one in-depth article, or 15 minutes of reading).
Those who make this a habit develop a wider lens for understanding the world—and, more importantly, for navigating it effectively.
2. Stay Tech-Savvy—Even If You’re Not a “Tech Person”
Technology isn’t just a tool—it’s a language shaping how we interact, work, and live. Over the past decade, 85% of major societal shifts have been driven by technology—those who ignore it risk becoming bystanders in their own future.
Look at AI. Some are already leveraging it to become more productive, while others are still debating whether it’s worth their attention. By the time they decide, the world will have moved on.
Practical steps:
✔ Try one new app or digital tool per month.
✔ Read one article weekly on how tech is shaping society.
✔ Ask younger generations how they use technology—it’s often a preview of what’s coming next.
You don’t have to be a tech genius, but you do need to be tech-aware. The alternative? Becoming the person who still asks, “What’s truly is GenAI and What is an Agent?”
3. Engage in Real-World Conversations (Not Just Online Ones)
Social media is an echo chamber. The average person today is 60% more likely to engage in digital conversations than face-to-face ones—but relevance is built in real-world interactions.
If your conversations are only happening through a screen, you’re missing the pulse of what’s actually happening. Algorithms feed us what we already believe. Real people challenge us with what we need to hear.
Make a habit of:
✔ Talking to people outside your usual circle.
✔ Asking open-ended questions that challenge your perspective.
✔ Attending events, meetups, or discussions on topics you know nothing about.
The most relevant people aren’t just informed—they’re socially fluent, able to connect across cultures, generations, and ideologies.
4. Strengthen Your “Change Muscles” with Micro-Shifts
Relevance isn’t just about knowing what’s changing—it’s about your ability to adapt. Studies show that people who actively embrace small daily changes build 41% greater flexibility, making it easier to adjust to larger shifts when they come.
Ways to strengthen your adaptability:
✔ Take a different route to work.
✔ Try a new type of music, cuisine, or cultural experience weekly.
✔ Switch up your routine in small ways (it trains your brain to embrace change).
Relevance is about agility—the ability to move with the world rather than resisting it.
5. Question What You "Know"—and Be Ready to Unlearn
Some of the “truths”, if not MANY, we hold today will be outdated within a decade—history proves it. Those who stay relevant are the ones who consistently re-evaluate their assumptions.
Case in point: In the 90s, being good at memorization was seen as a mark of intelligence.
Today, intelligence is measured by your ability to CREATE - meaning find, filter, and apply information—not just recall it. The smartest people aren’t the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who are willing to admit when they’re wrong and adapt.
How to practice intentional unlearning:
✔ Challenge one assumption you have each day—ask, “What if I’m wrong?”
✔ Seek out sources that contradict your beliefs, not just confirm them.
✔ Let go of expertise ego—the fastest learners are those willing to admit they don’t have all the answers.
The future belongs to those who can evolve—not just by gaining knowledge, but by knowing when to let go of old ways of thinking.
The Bottom Line:
Relevance isn’t something you achieve once—it’s something you cultivate daily.
By making small but intentional shifts in what you learn, how you interact, and how you adapt, you don’t just keep pace with change—you shape it.
Because in a world that’s constantly moving, standing still is the fastest way to fall behind.
Great read as always Jason and I’d pick two of above, first is the intentional learning. One of my best managers told me to make the time to read and learn something daily (his absolute was the WSJ to ensure you know what’s happening in world/cultural events in addition to business happenings - and to dig in from there). The second is “change” which sort of aligns - learn and change accordingly. All of the above have helped me transition to retirement too!
All of the 5 you list are important but the first- intentionally investing in strategies and tactics to continuously learn. time and money out of pocket is by far the most important. That isn't a blog or webinar it is a course everyone should take. Happy to share how I've done that for decades and how it has changed. Not just articles and tools but intentionally tracking down people and building relationships with them.