The struggles of today’s graduates are well-documented. Headlines highlight rising student debt, stagnant wages, and a lack of jobs that match the promise of university education. A generation of hard-working young people is caught in a cycle of effort without reward, a phenomenon described in China as neijuan, or “involution.” It’s a treadmill that leads nowhere, leaving young people exhausted, frustrated, and disillusioned. But what’s the solution?
The answer isn’t to funnel graduates into financial institutions that thrive on questionable practices. London may be a hub for global finance, but it has also earned a reputation as a hotspot for hiding ill-gotten gains. Instead of perpetuating a broken system, let’s focus on something transformative: a GAME Plan.
What Is a GAME Plan?
A GAME Plan—Goals, Actions, Means, and Execution—is a framework for designing a purpose-driven life. It helps individuals identify and leverage their human capital—their unique blend of skills, passions, and potential. By aligning personal strengths with what the world needs and values, a GAME Plan offers a roadmap to a balanced, meaningful, and financially sustainable life.
Building a Better Future
Here’s how a GAME Plan works to break the cycle of neijuan:
1. Identify Your Human Capital
What are you good at? What do you love to do? What does the world need, and what will it pay for? Answering these questions creates the foundation for a life aligned with your values and aspirations.
2. Develop a Proposition Framework
Turn your skills and passions into actionable ideas. This isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about creating opportunities that are fulfilling, impactful, and sustainable.
3. Focus on Optimal Wealth Creation
Instead of chasing unsatisfying “graduate jobs,” the GAME Plan encourages entrepreneurship. By viewing yourself as a productive asset, you can unlock potential income streams that grow and evolve over time.
4. Achieve Work-Life Balance
The GAME Plan prioritises balance. It’s not about working 9-to-9, six days a week. It’s about creating a life where work supports your well-being, not the other way around.
5. Impact the Planet Positively
A GAME Plan isn’t just about individual success; it’s about collective progress. Leveraging your talents for entrepreneurial ventures can create sustainable livelihoods for others, contributing to poverty reduction and environmental stewardship.
Why Now?
The current economic climate in Britain mirrors many aspects of China’s neijuan problem. Stagnant productivity, high living costs, and dwindling opportunities have left many graduates feeling trapped. The traditional pathways—working harder, studying more—no longer guarantee success.
Our response shouldn’t be to push more people into oversaturated and morally questionable industries. Instead, we should focus on building an economy that values human potential and rewards purposeful work.
A Call to Action
For graduates facing an uncertain future, a GAME Plan offers hope. It’s a strategy for taking control of your life and building something meaningful. It’s about recognising your worth, leveraging your unique talents, and creating opportunities that align with your values.
At the Academy of Life Planning, we specialise in helping individuals craft GAME Plans tailored to their goals. Our approach combines personal empowerment with practical tools to turn aspirations into reality. Together, we can break the cycle of neijuan and build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Take the first step today. Let’s transform frustration into purpose and uncertainty into opportunity. You have the potential—let’s unlock it.
Academy of Life Planning 