I popped into Starbucks yesterday to check out their muffins.

And while I was queuing, the lady in front of me placed a coffee order so complex I felt myself falling into a trance as I listened.

“I’d like a wet, double chocolate latte with soy milk, almond syrup, a caramel swirl and marshmallows.  All in a takeaway cup”.

I couldn’t believe my ears.

This was someone who knew what they wanted – and wasn’t afraid to ask for it.

And the barista didn’t bat an eyelid.

Goes to show that the days of ordering a large, black coffee are well and truly over.  There’s now a menu of choices so extensive it puts my local all-you-can-eat world buffet to shame.

In fact, the menu is whatever you want it to be.  You create your own menu.

And this idea of customising is becoming more and more common.  Not just in Starbucks.

For instance…

Advances in genomics have led to personalised medicine tailored specifically to your genetics.  So instead of popping the same pill as thousands of other people, you can pop a unique pill that's just right for you.

In the last 50 years, home-schooling in the US has risen from 78,000 to 5,000,000 children.  So instead of your kids sitting in a classroom for 7 hours a day, you can teach them in a way that is flexible and personal to them – and to you.

And instead of buying your groceries at Asda, you can order food via customised nutrition plans which are tailored specifically for your dietary needs and preferences.

There are similar examples everywhere.  In finance, fitness, fashion and beyond.

And all these examples show that customisation is booming. 

Guess what?

(you might've seen this coming)

Working life is exactly the same.

The job market – and people’s expectations – are becoming more and more like a coffee order from Starbucks.

People are increasingly choosing where they work from.  Maybe the office, maybe from home, maybe from a co-working space or maybe from a beach in Cambodia.

People are increasingly choosing when they work.  Could be the 9 to 5, could be compressed hours, could be seasonal work or it could simply be whenever they want to work.

And people are increasingly choosing how they work and what they work on.

The one-size-fits-all model of working 9 to 5, five days a week is on its way out.  And customisable working lives are replacing it.

Maybe you have no interest in this.  You’re completely content as things are.

But maybe you have an inkling that you’d like more flexibility about when and where you work…

Or you think more choice with work could be exciting.

Or perhaps you’re not sure.  But you'd still like to discover a way of working that’s more suited to you and your strengths, preferences and goals.  Your very own equivalent of a wet, double chocolate latte with soy milk, almond syrup, a caramel swirl and marshmallows (yum!).

If so - and you'd like help with this - click the link below to book a free call with me.  And we'll discuss how I can support you.

That's it for today.

 - Tom

p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways you can connect with me