By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
For a while now, we’ve been waiting for work and life to snap back to what it once were, waiting for things to settle and feel familiar again. But here’s the reality: this is normal. The world has shifted, and instead of looking back, it’s time to embrace where we are now.
The Illusion of “Going Back”
Whenever the world changes in a big way—whether it’s through technological advances, cultural shifts, or global events—there’s a natural instinct to hold onto the past. We tell ourselves things will “return to normal,” as if normal is a fixed point rather than a moving target. But history shows us that’s never the case.
Think about it—when the internet transformed business, communication, and entertainment, there was no “going back” to a pre-digital world. The same is true now. Work, relationships, daily routines, and even the way we define success have evolved. This isn’t a temporary disruption. It’s a new way of living.
Work Has Changed
Everything from how businesses function to how individuals structure their lives is shifting. Traditional career paths are becoming irrelevant as industries demand adaptability. Entrepreneurship, project-based work, and unconventional professional trajectories are becoming the expectation rather than the exception. The companies that will thrive are the ones designing for this reality, not waiting for outdated models to return.
Everything from how people approach their careers to how they define professional success is evolving. Linear career progression is becoming obsolete as industries prioritize versatility and continuous learning. Workers are expected to adapt, shift, and expand their skill sets rather than follow traditional hierarchies. Stability no longer comes from tenure—it comes from agility. Those who thrive in this environment are those who embrace change, seek diverse experiences, and build careers that flex with the demands of the modern economy. The individuals shaping the future aren’t waiting for the old system to return—they’re proactively redefining what it means to be successful.
Like it or not, the US government is trying to change from being all-consuming to something different after realizing money and its ability to use it wisely was becoming limited.
Even our definitions of success and fulfillment are evolving. The rigid expectations of previous generations—linear career paths, fixed life milestones—no longer apply. People are redefining work-life balance, personal ambition, and long-term goals in ways that prioritize flexibility and individual satisfaction over conformity.
Thriving in the Present
Waiting for things to “settle” is futile. The world is settling into a different form than before. The key isn’t to fight this shift but to lean into it. Those who embrace change, who innovate rather than resist, will find themselves ahead, not left behind.
So let’s stop asking when things will return to normal. This is normal. And it’s time to make the most of it.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search and succeeding in your career easier.
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You Need to Fix Stupid Hiring.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years.
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