This generation cannot fix anything

MILLENNIAL GENERATION

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you put your phone on the table it sends a subconscious message to all the people that “you’re just not that important to me right now”. Even at dinner with your friends, you’re texting somebody who’s not there ...well that’s called a problem better known as 'addiction'. This kinda behavior is prominent in today’s generation. Let’s look at the reasons behind it:

# WHO ARE MILLENNIALS AND WHAT ARE THEY ACCUSED OF?

In this blog, I’m referring millennials for a group of people who were born approx 1980 and after. They are tough to manage, accused of being entitled and narcissistic, unfocused, self-interested, lazy.

But entitled is the big one! 

Millennials only want to work in a place where they have a purpose (love that), can make an impact, good money, free food, and bean bags. Yet for some reason they are still not happy, because there’s a missing piece which can be broken into 4 characteristics:

• Parenting
• Technology
• Impatience
• Environment

# ROLE OF PARENTS

Too many of this millennial generation grew up under 'failed parenting strategies'. They were told that they were special, all the time and can have anything they want in life just because they want it. After completing education when they’re thrust into the real world, in an instant they find that they are not special, they can’t get what they want, that moment their entire self-image is shattered. 

Another problem to compound it is that we’re growing up in a Snapchat- Instagram world. This means we are good at putting filters on things, showing people that life is amazing, even though we are depressed. So everybody sound's tough but the reality is there's very little toughness and most people haven’t figured it out.

So we have an entire generation with lower self-esteem than previous generations. Through no fault of their own. "They were dealt a bad hand".

# LET'S ADD TECHNOLOGY

Engaging with social media and cell phones releases a chemical called dopamine. That’s why when you get a text, feels good. Right?... Dopamine is the exact same chemical that makes us feel good when we smoke, drink, gamble. In other words, it’s highly addictive. We have age restrictions on these activities but not on social media which is the equivalent of opening up the liquor cabinet and saying to our teenagers “ hey btw if this adolescent thing turns you down... you've got free access to an addictive numbing, chemically called dopamine". 

As there's unfettered access to these doping producing media it's becoming hardwired in their brains as they grow older. Too many of them don't know how to form deep meaningful relationships, not able to rely on their friends as they know they will cancel out them when something better comes along(even though they have fun with them). This means they don't have the coping mechanism to deal with the significant stress that starts to show up on their lives.

"Thus they don't turn to people but to social media which gives them temporary relief"

# HERE COMES A SENSE OF IMPATIENCE

We've grown up in a world of instant gratification. You want something, go on amazon it arrives the next day, want to watch tv show? binge. you don’t even have to wait for weeks. Everything you want...instant gratification, except job satisfaction and strength of relationships, there ain’t no app for that. They are slow and messy processes. The smart, idealistic, wonderful, hardworking, smart kids at the entry-level jobs wanna ‘quit’ because of not being able to make an impact.

"We are standing at the foot of a mountain and have an abstract concept called impact which is the summit but what we don't see is the mountain"

# LAST OF ALL: ENVIRONMENT

We are taking an amazing group of young kids into the corporate environment that cares more about short term gains and numbers than they do about the kids. Because of which they aren’t able to build their confidence, or learn the skills of cooperation. They think it's them, who can’t deal and then blame themselves.

But it’s not them, it’s the corporations, it’s the total lack of good leadership that made them feel that way. This is why the millennial generation doesn’t succeed and this is why this generation can’t fix anything!

#ANY CONTINGENT SOLUTIONS?

I'm delighted to tell you that there is. Like there should be no cell phone in the conference room or while having dinner or wherever possible. So if we somehow manage to remove the temptation of having the phone you just kind of enjoy the world. And that's where ideas happen, they happen when our mind wonders and we see something and we go "I think I could do that”, that's called innovation. Point is we now have a responsibility to help this fantastic generation 

• Build their confidence
• Learn patience, social skills
• Find a better balance between life and technology

Frankly, because that’s the right thing to do.

"Make sure you are happy in real life, not just on social media."

What if we charge our phones in the living rooms and not by our bed might be the first step to remove the temptation...what are your thoughts on this topic let me know in the comment section.