AskLG

As the topic of one of my collaborators blog, Generation Y is a group of highly individual, goal seeking, achievement oriented peoples. This gives rise to new twists on some old problems. Problems like one being accustomed to always getting what they want or feeling the need to construct a clear path towards their goals without giving way to new ideas. That’s not really the problem. The problem is we are driven to do it ourselves and as the dictum goes “knowledge is power.” And who better to do it than ourselves? With this mindset people encounter obstacles like the “Neo OCD,” the “Ignorant Temper,” and resistance from the Old School ways.

So What Are These Problems & How Can We Alleviate Them?

“Neo OCD” is a new disorder that came about from self reliability. I have coined this new “disease” Obsessive Controlling Disorder. People that have grown up with all information in the world under their fingertips know, for the most part, how to use it. I am in no way knocking this great tool (Neo OCD) but rather trying to raise awareness about it. Having this ability can be pernicious if you let it. What do I mean? I mean that people under this new age spell have the sense that they are right and no one else is. This is true and false. Without getting to philosophical, what is the difference between right and wrong? Relative Perception. (If this does not make sense then read my blog entitled “Subscribe to the fortune cookie method”) People are innately selfish and rightfully so. The only thing is that people shut off other peoples view point. This is a modern day version of Groupthink. Rather than “the shutting down of ideas” in a group Gen Y’ers do this on the individual level.  Do you know anybody that is not very open and stubborn?  I would imagine it is hard to work with that person.  It’s the same with Gen Y’ers except a large number of us are like that.  It would seem we are all taking the highway now.

Immediate Information Demands Immediate Answers?

The Ignorant Temper is nothing new.  It’s when people focus on one thing and an outside stressor gets in our way causing our tempers to flair.  What people often leave out is the ignorant part of this nasty equation.  f(outside stressor + ignorance of what the problem is= aggravated <insert your name>).  To make matters worse, Gen Y’ers are not costive.  We say what’s on our mind with out anyone asking for it.  I believe this to be a result of the information that is readily available.  This immediacy has caused people to grow accustomed to immediate answers.  The problem is in our underlying need for consistency and that the internet consistently provides answers to our daily queries. Often times in .1 seconds or less.  The internet is not the only culprit however; phones, television, and E-mails are also to blame.  These modes of information aide in our quest for fast, faster, and fastest.  “Upgrade to the 21st and you will be able to keep in touch with anyone at any time!  But wait there’s more.  If you subscribe to our quixotic world today we will send you our nearly nonreversible gift, IMPATIENCE.”

A spin off of our need for immediate answers is our desire for immediate results.  Now more than ever, and obviously so, people are bombarded with Right Now.  Be your own CEO right now, lose 20 lbs right now, and learn a new language right now.  There is nothing wrong with right now as long as you factor in all the time AFTER now.  Most of us can not pick up something new and master it at first glance.  I recently caught myself becoming more and more flustered with my guitar playing until I realized that I haven’t practiced in easily two or three weeks.  I’ve “youtubed” videos and thought “Hey, this guy just did it why can’t I?”  What the video left out was the endless hours of practice the person went through to get where they are now.  People born after 1980 have been spoon-fed this grandiose illusion that we can do anything in an instants notice.  For most of us this is simply not true.  As time marches on, we learn that rarely anything happens over night and that we have to invest valuable time in things, hobbies, family, etc. 

Having this sort of immediacy is not always a bad thing though.  For example, “Millennials” are more egalitarian when it comes to how we treat disparate people that are not like ourselves.  Instead of disparaging others because of their differences, we as Millennials ferret out answers as to why we are different and what makes us that way.  If no one knows the answer(s) then we turn to the omnipotent internet.  Hhhhuummm.  How many times have you “googled” something and found useful information.  And did this information help you understand why things played out the way they did?  Were you able to lace up someone else’s shoes and see the world from their view point?  OK now I’m sound like Anthony “Tony” Robbins, but my point is that the results were more often then not helpful. 

Oldie But A Goodie

I’ve heard experience is the best teacher and so far I agree.  Like I mentioned before, if you want to get better at or learn something then you have to practice.  The alternative is asking for help, which goes against our Generation WHY grain.  Our self-reliance put us in a position where we don’t like to ask for help.  But you know what?  Every once in a while those old folks, elderly, and/or baby boomers know what they are talking about.  (I’m grinding my teeth as I type.)  As much as we don’t like to listen we should stop and listen more.  Listening is a precious tool if one can master it.  You know, you might even learn something … right now.  I’ve noticed that listening helps bridge our individualistic nature with others.   After all we are in the “ME” age and as a fellow “Why”-ner I’ve learned the importance of being self-reliant, but it only gets you so far.  Probably the most import life lesson I’ve learned is to ask.  Yeah it’s that easy.  Asking, coupled with effective listening, will help you: understand more (avoiding ignorance), break out of your individualistic shell, and might even curb ones Neo OCD. 

p.s. I’m going to eat a banana ‘cause my hands are cramping.  C ya during the next blue moon