1 . Many people fear that robots will destroy jobs. A paper in 2013 by economists at Oxford University was widely misinterpreted as meaning that 47% of American jobs were at risk of being automated.

The concern about mass unemployment is overblown. Actually, robots will be ultimately beneficial for labour markets. A Yale University study that looked at Japanese manufacturing between 1978 and 2017 found that an increase of one robot unit per 1,000 workers boosted a company’s employment by 2.2%. Research from the Bank of Korea found that robotisation moved jobs away from manufacturing into other sectors, but that there was no decrease in overall vacancies. Another study, by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, looked at Finnish firms and concluded that their use of advanced technologies led to increases in hiring.

For all that, the march of the robots will bring big changes to workplaces. The skills and firms that are rewarded will shift, too. One supposed example of “bad automation” is self-service checkouts in supermarkets, because they replace human workers. Robots could perform work that is unpleasant, such as butchering. Checkout staff who retrain to help customers pick items from aisles may well find that dealing with people in need is more rewarding than spending all day swiping barcodes in front of lasers.

Inevitably, some people will be on the losing end of change even as the robots make society as a whole better off. One lesson from the freewheeling globalisation of the 1990s and 2000s is that the growth in trade that was overwhelmingly beneficial triggered a political backlash (反对), because the losers felt left behind. That is one more reason why firms and governments would do well to recognize the value of retraining and lifelong learning. As jobs change, workers should be helped to acquire new skills.

2 . Do you want to become a farmer? Do you want to grow whatever you like? Maybe your answer is “yes” . But you have never grown a crop before and don’t know where to start. Don’t worry. Here is good news.     1    

Decide why you’re interested in farming.

Being a farmer is nothing but hard work. Any kind of farming requires a lot of hard work. Farming sometimes also gives you less money for all your hard work.     2    

Visit with some experienced farmers.

It is highly recommended that you find those who are farming in a similar manner to what you intend to do. You can ask them to give you a tour of their work. Run a web search to find out about some upcoming local agricultural events happening and attend as many of them as you can.     3     There you can ask questions and learn about their farming experience.

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This is the most important step on your way to becoming a farmer. It is because you are working and gaining direct experience. Like with all jobs, you will be entering at the very bottom. The only way you will work your way up is to work hard and do what is asked of you.

Have a good sense of humor.

    5     This will be especially important when your muscles are aching, your fingers feel like they are going to fall off or the weather has ruined your plans once again.

3 . I was 6 years old when my father told me we were leaving the Big Apple Circus (马戏团). Until that point, I had spent most of my life on the circus lot, playing with the other circus kids. The circus, by its nature, is one that has a loose structure. So the early years after my leaving the circus to sit in a classroom all day felt more like a prison.

But years later, I found areas that interested me. I took the skills I had learned from being onstage and applied them to broadcasting. And so when Boston’s news station WBUR offered me a job out of college, I jumped at the chance. Along the way, I found I really enjoyed the work. I became WBUR’s news reporter. The flexibility and adaptability I’d learned in the circus as a child helped me do my job naturally and easily in a stressful situation — whether it was a destructive tornado outside Boston, or the Boston Marathon bombings of 2013.

But then a serious infectious disease appeared. Suddenly, for the first time in my adult life, I went for a year without doing any shows. But it became clear to me that performing was what I truly wanted. For me, the circus symbolizes who I am. And stages have always been where I’ve felt the most free. Some people get nervous before they go onstage, but by assuming (扮演) the character of Jacques ze Whipper and drawing a stupid moustache on my face, all my social anxiety disappears.

Circus performances go beyond age, socioeconomic status (地位), and even language. It’s the type of performance where you can go anywhere in the world to entertain anyone — help anyone forget their troubles for 5, 10, and even 30 minutes. And most importantly, for me, it means coming home.

5 . There is something to be said for being a generalist, even if you are a specialist. Knowing a little about a lot of things that interest you can add to the richness of a whole, well-lived life.

Society pushes us to specialize, to became experts. This requires commitment to a particular occupation, branch of study or research. The drawback to being specialists is we often come to know more and more about less and less. There is a great deal of pressure to master one’s field. You may pursue training, degrees, or increasing levels of responsibility at work. Then you discover the pressure of having to keep up.

Some people seem willing to work around the clock in their narrow specialty. But such commitment can also weaken a sense of freedom. These specialists could work at the office until ten each night, then look back and realize they would have loved to have gone home and enjoyed the sweetness of their family and friends, or traveled to exciting places, meeting interesting people. Mastering one thing to the exclusion (排除) of others can hold back your true spirit.

‘Generalists, on the other hand, know a lot about a wide range of subjects and view the whole with all its connections. They are people of ability, talent, and enthusiasm who can bring their broad perspective into specific fields of expertise (专长). The doctor who is also a poet and philosopher is a superior doctor, one who can give so much more to his patients than just good medical skills.

Things are connected. Let your expertise in one field fuel your passions in all related areas. Some of your interests may not appear to be connected but, once you explore their depths, you discover that they are. My editor Toni, who is also a writer, has edited several history books. She has decided to study Chinese history. Fascinated by the structural beauty of the Forbidden City as a painter, she is equally interested to learn more about Chinese philosophy. “I don’t know where it will lead, but I’m excited I’m on this pursuit.”

These expansions into `new worlds help us by giving us new perspectives. We begin to see the interconnectedness of one thing to another in all aspects of our life, of ourselves and the universe. Develop broad, general knowledge and experience. The universe is all yours to explore and enjoy.

6 . Envy (嫉妒) is a natural human emotion (情绪), and we writers suffer from it constantly. But if we allow it, our envy will eat us up inside and turn something we once loved (writing) into something we hate now.     1    . Here are some practical and effective steps you can follow.

Remind yourself why you write.

I write because it’s a main aspect of who I am. It satisfies me in a way nothing else does. Although I’m glad to cash whatever checks publishers send me, this is not my purpose.     2    . As long as I remember why I write, I don’t feel envious of others.

Keep a positive comment file.

I’ve long kept a blurb(简介)file where I list positive comments reviewers have made about my work. I use these blurbs when it comes time to promote my work. I also read over them when I need to remind myself that I’m a pretty good writer. I take screenshots (截屏) of positive things people say about my work on social media.     3    

You know what happens when you don’t see people posting about their writing successes all the time? You know nothing about them. And if you know nothing about them, you can’t be envious of them, can you? So sometimes leaving the social media alone might help you reduce the chance of being envious. Living your life in the real not the virtual world can remind you that your writing career is about you, not about anyone else.

Not focus on writing only.

You should bear in mind that there are more things to your life than your writing career. Hopefully you have friends and family who love you. Spend some time with them. Do you have any hobbies that don’t involve writing, something you do it simply because it’s fun and relaxing? Do that for a while. Take a break for a few days and don’t feel guilty about it.     5    

7 . We are looking for energetic volunteers who might be willing to volunteer their time. It’s a great way to build your volunteer experience, get involved in your community, meet new people and show your pride.

Computer Teacher

The computer teacher will be responsible for teaching older adults computer skills, including basic skills such as turning on computer or more media skills such as setting up email. This position requires patience, dedication and long hours on your feet. Computer skills needed. Ask Mandy, 01313377227.

Meals on Wheels

Do you have time in your schedule to make a difference in the lives of seniors in your community? Meals on Wheels drivers deliver nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound seniors on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our aim is to help seniors who are unable to go out themselves due to age or disability. A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle is required. Call Lucy, (781)2727177.

Tree Nursery Volunteer

Tasks are different according to season, but may include: collecting tree seeds from ancient woodland, preparing seeds for sowing, planting trees and tree aftercare. Some of the work is physical and outdoors, others such as seed preparation can be done indoors. No experience is necessary, but a knowledge or interest in botany would certainly be helpful. Ask Amrita, 07748623073.

Photography Volunteer

If you have a talent for photography, this may be the role for you. We need someone who can take great photos for posters and websites. We especially need photos of our events and volunteers. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience. You’ll also gain the satisfaction of seeing your work being displayed on the National Trust website and in literature. Ask Sarah, 01248600954.

10 . Career coach Angela Copeland encourages job seekers to think beyond the normal barriers or unspoken rules. “It’s always been my philosophy that you have to think outside the box.     1     because then no one is going to know who you are,” says Copeland, author of Breaking The Rules & Getting The Job. The best jobs, she says, go to those who try harder, who are creative and who break the rules in their job search. By challenging yourself to think differently and to take risks, you will be ahead of your peers, she adds.

Copeland offers her top four tips while looking for a job.

The standard line is to apply for a job online. Copeland suggests finding other ways to apply, whether it is in person, via a headhunter or through a friend inside the company.     2    .

Know that potential employers will Google you and look through your social media profiles.     3    . But also use social media to meet new people. Many senior executives manage their own accounts online, and it’s good to engage with them when possible.

Network with people in your industry. Attend events and reach out to people by email or phone. Out of 10 contacts, you may only have three who respond. But one of those could lead you to your new job.

If you want to learn a new skill set, figure out how to train yourself. Stay current in your industry by taking the initiative.     5