لولا أزمة كورونا current crisis, the 2013 book “Rebooting Work” by Maynard Webb and Carlye Adler might not have resurfaced.

Nearly seven years ago, the authors wrote about how work was changing in the age of entrepreneurship, but

they did not realize at the time that this shift would become a reality—and even a necessity—today.

If entrepreneurship is not the ideal choice for many people, it has become a necessity. In light of the structural shift that

The disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis, which has forced many companies to close or shut down operations, or lay off most of their

employees, has made entrepreneurship a lifeline—especially for those who have been laid off.

.

Fear of Change

In the past, before we entered the era of entrepreneurship, the main reason we hesitated to take the next step and move forward

with starting and owning our own business was fear of failure and fear of change. But things have changed now,

because change has been forced upon us.

And it’s not just because of the COVID crisis. Many companies and organizations have begun rethinking their strategies, goals,

and expectations of employees. For example, what compels a company to find an office and equip it with desks and devices

... and so on, even though it’s possible to get everything you need from employees while they’re at home.

So the change has happened—or happened on its own. What should we do now? The authors have no answer to a question like that

other than to “embrace change.” And bear in mind, this advice was given seven years ago. Imagine where that leaves us today, when everything

is urging us to change the way we see the world and the things around us.

Working in an era of Entrepreneurship is not just a challenge; it also presents a unique opportunity for companies and employees alike

Either way, companies will get better results than they used to ask for, but at a lower cost, since employees work

remotely and cost them nothing at all apart from their salaries.

.

More Independent Employees

As for employees, those who choose to keep working for others will have more freedom: they can do whatever

tasks and activities they want alongside their work, now that working hours are more flexible, and they are no longer

required to do anything but deliver results, without having to stick to set start and finish times or the like.

Those who choose to start their own businesses, meanwhile, are likely to become successful entrepreneurs before long.

And so, in this crisis—as in every crisis—we must look beyond it and get ahead of reality;

so we can find the opportunity at the heart of these disasters. That is why it’s important to revisit the book

Rebooting Work now.

.

Geographic Flexibility and the Changing Future of Work

The authors discuss what they call “Geoflexibility,” meaning that the world’s borders have drawn closer and that

distances have disappeared—not because transportation and travel have become affordable and fast, but thanks to

the internet and the radical revolution it has brought to communication, bringing people closer together.

.

They say in this regard:
“Geographic flexibility will play a major role in shaping the future of work. We now have the tools and technology to work from almost anywhere.”

For example, as an employee in the internet age, you can work for anyone, from anywhere you choose, and nothing will

stand in your way. Even meetings and anything that requires you, as an employee, to meet with your employer or their representative can

be done online, using various forms of technology.

But even this particular point—I mean geographic flexibility—has not been negated by the circumstances of life in the time of COVID. Although it was halted

Travel between different countries became difficult, and travel and mobility became challenging and fraught with many risks. At the same time, however, there was a significant increase in

communication over the internet, whether to carry out work and other professional tasks or to handle personal matters.

In short, this means that geographic flexibility did not disappear when travel was halted; instead, new ways were created to keep this

flexibility alive and well.

.

A Whole New World

The world has changed before; that much is clear. But it will never stop changing. The wheel of progress, set in motion centuries ago, has never stopped turning. Yet

Its rate of change is now extremely fast. In the face of these rapid, successive changes, all we can do is adapt—to “embrace change.”

And one thing we can say with even greater certainty than the authors could when they wrote this book is that, after this crisis, the world will not

It will never be as it was before. Its economic systems, social theories, and even its old mindset will not enable it to live in the new era,

the post-COVID era.

When it comes to earning a living, working in the age of entrepreneurship requires a special kind of preparation. That preparation is

what the authors of *Rebooting Work* recommended years ago. This is how we will find ourselves in a completely new world, and we must

understand what it holds so we can make our way in it.

.

CEO of Your Own Destiny

And if we are embarking on a new way of life, bear in mind that no one will help you, and it will be rare to find someone to show you the way,

It maps out the way forward for you, and then the choice is yours. As Maynard Webb and Carlye Adler put it, “You are the CEO

of your own destiny.” You need to know what you want your future to look like and find the paths and tools that will help you get there.