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Email ThisBecause of blogging, my life took a complete one-eighty in less than a year. One day I was working in a cubicle, the next I was part of a start-up. And as much as that whole scenario blew my freaking mind, I didn’t change via start-up alone. The biggest changes actually occurred from within.
Events in our lives have a way of shifting our attitudes about certain things. Sometimes that’s bad, but then sometimes that’s really good. In my case, let’s just say that I’m a more seasoned millennial than I used to be.
And I think that’s a good thing. Because while I inherently see the world through the eyes of my generation, I’m starting to understand what Gen-Xers and Boomers are talking about.
No, I don’t think we’re a bunch of narcissistic brats all of a sudden. But I do understand why we’re sometimes misunderstood. Because as life takes its toll and we all grow up, I think we all find that our virtues mature.
Here are a few things that have matured with me during the past year.
I’m not as idealistic.
When I first read the cover of Strauss and Howe’s Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, I think I tricked myself into believing that we’re already just as stellar as my grandfather’s generation who kicked butt for all of us during World War II. But let’s face it, we haven’t proven anything yet.
I do still believe our generation has the potential to be great. But I’m pretty sure now that it’s going to take a lot more work than I originally thought.
A year ago I would’ve said that Generation Y is going to change the world and social media is going to be the vessel. Today, while I still believe that social media is a powerful ally, I’m not as naïve.
It’s going to take a lot more than tech savvy for Gen Y to make change the way we talk about changing things. We need hands-on action. And while a few critics pointed me to some great examples of millennial leadership, I still haven’t seen enough.
But maybe I’m demanding too much. Maybe we’re on the right track and just too young to take the reigns of leadership. That would be just fine with me. But in the meantime, I’d rather demand more than be satisfied with less.
I’m more skeptical.
When I first heard Barack Obama speak, I said to myself, “Wow, there’s the guy who’s going to save this country.” I was completely blown away. And looking back on it all, I kind of get mad at myself. I want to be smarter than that.
I no longer believe in the hype, I believe in results. Words like hope and change, used to give me goose bumps. Now when someone tells me they’re going to do something all I can say is “We’ll see.”
And that may sound like I’m lacking in hope, but I’m not. I’m very hopeful. In fact, I voted for Obama in the primaries, and probably will vote for him in November too. But I realize that actions speak louder than words, and I’ll definitely give the guy a hard time if he makes it into the Oval Office but doesn’t live up to all he promised.
The problem I’ve seen in myself and in my generation thus far is that we’re a lot of talk. And sometimes we believe in things without asking for proof.
But maybe that’s all we can do until we gain more momentum. I’m sure anxious to see how we turn out, but until then, we’ll see…
I’m not as bold.
When I started blogging, I used to run my mouth too much. I’d take something preposterous that someone said about my generation and respond with something equally, if not more preposterous. While shock and awe is typically a lot of fun, it’s better to be taken seriously.
Today I think things through. When I get a nasty comment from someone who calls me an amateur, sometimes I don’t say anything at all. It’s not always worth it to stoop to their level.
Why does this matter?
It matters because I refuse to give Gen-Y dissenters exactly what they want — proof that I’m a hack. Some people feed on their ability to fire people up. And as soon as we lose our cool, they get exactly what they want.
My new motto: Stay cool. Backlash is always going to suck, but as soon as I give into the hate I lose my leverage as a reputable voice.
I’m more myself than I’ve ever been.
For about a year after graduating college, I was depressed. Between leaving long-time friend behind and searching for a new meaning for my life, it was a rough spot in my life. Then things started to fall into place.
Over the past year I’ve experienced the ups and downs of a first job, endured start-up stress, and learned a lot about myself. And I don’t want to toot my horn too much, but it feels awesome.
And at the same time, while all this awesomeness surrounds me, I wonder if I’m staying aligned with the values of my generation. Do I need a reality check? I’m really not sure.
Maybe I’m just opening up a new chapter. Maybe other members of my generation are starting to feel this way too. With all the garbage channeled our way via media campaigns, politicians and marketers there’s no doubt that we’re all getting a little nauseous.
So maybe I’m not alone. Are others breaking the stereotypes too? I’d really love to know, because either I’m losing touch or just headed down a different track.
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Ryan, this is probably one of my favourite posts!!
I’m glad that someone with more influence in the GenY community is beginning to consider that we might not have all the answers. As Tim mentioned, I do love the BC community, but I frequently wonder how much of it is just rhetoric from a bunch of inexperienced college grads.
We’re all growing up, so no, I def. don’t think you’re out of touch w/ GenY, but I’m at the same point as you with regards to saying: “In my case, let’s just say that I’m a more seasoned millennial than I used to be.”.
Although we’re becoming more seasoned, we should be careful not to lose our optimism, which I feel is one of our greatest strengths! Some of us just have a better grasp of realism…
Cheers!
Ryan;
That’s called growing up. Hang in there.
Great post Ryan - I’m so glad to be part of such a great group of bloggers and to learn and hear such wonderful thoughts
Ian:
I’m glad you enjoyed reading. I agree about not losing our optimism. Regardless of what the years bring and how my attitude changes one thing I certainly want to hang onto is that.
Jen:
We’re happy to have you. Welcome!
Ryan,
you just gained some serious credibility points with this Gen-Xer…and mother to (3) Gen-Ys.
I’m proud of my kids when they come home and tell me how they recognize the wisdom of others, especially after first rejecting it completely.
In those moments of clarity, when they look at me with a sheepish grin and ask “Ma, how did I get it so wrong?” I smile back and tell them they are exactly where they should be right now:
learning to be followers so they can become leaders.
I think you are too.
Hang on to that youthful optimism and daring. When I look back at my family photos of our “greatest generation”, they had both those qualities, along with the strength of character that helped them accomplish so much.
good reading!
Ryan, I’m in the same place as you!
I’ve spent a LOT of time talking about our generation and what we’re going to do. The truth is that it’s like being in the CIA - it’s boring until you’re getting kicked out of the country.
Being a millennial is not something you leave behind, it’s something that evolves. You set the major themes up right at the beginning, and then you work towards them by degrees.
And I agree with you that we’ve basically got a waiting period right now - especially those of us at the beginning of our generation. I think in five years it’ll get really interesting again - these next few years are about laying the groundwork.
Ryan, I think we sometimes get caught up in social media as the solution to everything. I think of social media as a tool for connecting to a vast “cloud” of knowledge that no other generated ever had access to. Check out “The World is Flat.” Aside from globalization, we belong to the largest generation since the baby boomers. Not only are we each competing in a global world market, we’re competing against the most educated, most intelligent, and most connected generation ever. It keeps me up at night. As we mature and become replaced by a younger and hipper generation, we each need to build upon our skill sets and differentiate ourselves.
Thanks for the great articles. I think that I am in the same place as well with realizing that real change will take more work than initially thought. I do that we have to keep perspective. Virtually every major change and trend that I can think of, especially major movements, goes through phases. You have your first adopters who are pioneers of a sort. The first adopters take the initial risks. They have a product that is not ready for mass consumption. They take what is basically a prototype and stretch it to the limits so that it can be improved upon. I think that this is the stage that Gen Y is at now - not quite ready for prime time because they are still only a minority of first adopters that are taking the big risks. However with time, those initial improvements will pave the way for some huge changes once the initial kinks are worked out.
Fantastic. I’ve experienced a lot of what you’re referring to, esp. with a recent marriage, a 10 month old son, a rise in my career, and the overall adjustment to being an ‘adult’. While I don’t think I’ll ever pine for the suburban life and setting my schedule around TV shows, I see where some of my youthful actions aren’t appropriate anymore.
I went through the same change in mentality somewhere after college myself. These days it’s hard NOT to be less ideal and MORE skeptical when shows like Tila Tequila finds Love, Parental Control, and Next are the hottest thing on MTV.
Ryan, I agree, part of it is growing up. I too am in the same place, I have never been sure that I count as a millennial.
On paper, yes, definitely, you can’t change that. The real question implied here is, what defines a millennial? Is
it use of technology, a way of thinking?
I would prefer then, to say that you were born into the age of the millennial, and you will always be one. However, we are definitely evolving, and you along with everyone else.
Thanks everyone for the reassurance that I’m still a millennial
It’s really interesting to hear our unique perspectives, especially when we get stereotyped so often.
IT Pilgrim: What defines a millennial? I guess I don’t know either. But I hope it ends up being more about the changes we make than the technology we use.
I really hope so…
Ryan, I feel the same way… except on the Obama front. I saw right through it from the beginning
Hopidy change hope change yes we can.
In college I was a vocal dreamer, now my cube has beaten me down. It’s kind of sad really.
Daniel: Don’t let it get you down too much man! You have some great dreams still floating around up in your head.
We’ve talked about them on the phone. Remember?
-RP
You’re still very much a millenial, just one with a little seasoning. I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and I see in you what I hope to see in the rest of our generation someday.
Also, regarding the Barack Obama section of this post, I’m sooo glad to hear a Millenial who’s thinking rationally! Yes, hope and change are nice words but what about his politics?!
Ryan - great post - should have been at the top of the site today…if I’d read it first, perhaps then I wouldn’t have been tempted to get embroiled in yet another political debate on the site.
I try to keep things civil. Despite having lost my idealism a long time a ago, I still feel the need to fight for the things that mean something to me. And maybe that is optimism.
Perhaps the net benefit cancels out, and sometimes I think perhaps new generations will always be some tired version of the former ones, but we’re hard-wired to play the game. Also, just so you know from a players perspective, Brazen Careerist is a great playing field, so you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Ryan,
I think you’ve captured the essence of gen Y. Unlike previous generations we are far more dynamic and fluid. We will change in order to adapt to the world in which we live. As a result people may start to wonder if they are drifting away from their Gen Y roots when in fact they are just following the natural course and this is what will enable us to move into the leadership positions left behind by our parents.
Great post
Ryan,
If our reality is our perspective, then changing the way we think and look at the world will definitely have an effect on our real lives.
That’s where blogging comes in. Like you, I’ve found the thought process of blogging changing the way I look at things. I’m much more cautious about making a blanket statement. I’m more curious than ever and the skepticism you spoke of really guides it. If I’m upset at the status quo, I want to know why it got there in the first place and from there figure out how to change it.
I’d add “proactive” to your list. You’ve not only seen your life change, you’ve started something that affects others in their contribution to the web. Personally, I’ve become more involved in my work and community, and I test solutions instead of talking about them.
Your experiences give powerful backing to the simple act of blogging. Great post!
Do you need a reality check?
No, you already had one and figured out that our generation isn’t perfect as a whole or individually. Neither are others universally wrong. We’re all about the same, and we’re definitely part of the same world. That’s not deserting our generation. That’s just reality.