I was fortunate enough to have what was called ‘communal parenting’ this means that you probably came from a divorced household and there were other people with their hands in your upbringing. It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. But, back then in the 70’s and 80’s you were looked upon with piety because this was still a taboo. I can honestly say that at the age of 46, I have not a single regret about the experience.
So, how does this relate to you?
Most of the population reading this in the US are probably baby boomers and those who were raised by them which like me, were generation X. The values and mindsets bestowed on most of us are listed below and may sound familiar.
- Master what you do and do it for 30 years even if you hate it!
- You have to work hard, and compete well and win, it’s just part of life.
- Don’t expect your employers to respect or encourage you–that’s not what they are paying you for.
- Take what you can get, if you’re really lucky you’ll retire with a decent pension.
- All in or all out…..
- Formal education is everything
OK this is just six but the painfully dysfunctional list goes on. I was raised the opposite of the above sentiments and my parents and influencers were looked upon as hippies or rebels. As I watch what goes on around me, I am forever more grateful. I am also elated that this growing millennial group has a lot in common with my unusual brand of child rearing.
So, does that mean it’s to late to change? And furthermore, why should you?
Well, I am the last person to tell others how to run their own lives. I was brought up looking at things with a more spiritual sense. Everyone is on their own journey. You shouldn’t want their journey and they shouldn’t have to be like you. I was also raised with the notion that all people are equal regardless of the path they are on. Life is the school , not the University you go to.
It’s never too late to change a mindset, it takes time, but it’s never too late. Why should you at least consider going to the other side? Because it opens vistas for you at any age or stage of life that you would have never seen due to the narrow blinders that the above list would have you looking through.
These thoughts are just as dangerous as thinking you have to have disease because it runs in the family.
The Gift of the Millennials
This is truly a gifted and fearless bunch. They are so different from any group in their age bracket than I have ever seen. They are, in my opinion, the closest to my childhood upbringing as you can get. They are curious, they branch out on their own young. They travel, accept, explore and help other cultures and embrace new ideas. If what they are doing isn’t serving them, they simply stop doing it and shift to another direction. Years ago this was put down and classed as naive and what you heard from your so called superiors, were comments like, “When you grow up, you lose that naive nonsense”. Horrifying isn’t it?
And the most important thing…..
True entrepreneurial millennials will only spend years “mastering” something if they, themselves feel it will satisfy something deep within them or be of service to humanity as a whole. They will tailor their education to their present and future needs and not to fulfill a societal or parental expectation. If they don’t need an MBA then they don’t get one. They know it’s a paper, and that paper better be a part of THEIR mission and not that of someone else.
They will also never turn away from a project that speaks to their heart and feeds their soul simply because it means they have to not “complete” what they started initially. They don’t look at it as simply a risk but as a journey and the journey is what matters not other people’s opinions of the lack of “completion” on their part.
I am a 46 year old who makes sure she has friends of varying levels and ages and that has given me insight from the real people and not online research. There is a place for that but you can’ t beat face to face Q&A which I engage in often rather than staring at my phone,social media or getting myself involved in personal drama. From that valuable contact I know that millennials are facing the ridicule and raised eyebrows much the way I did.
They are young, tough and don’t give a damn what your opinion is and they are showing it. But they aren’t doing it recklessly, the smart, successful ones are doing it through positive action and they aren’t afraid to fail–multiple times if need be. And if they are afraid–they do it anyway.
Millennial Attitudes about Consultants, Gurus, Coaches and Mentors
You won’t catch this entrepreneurial bunch going by the bible truth of mentors, gurus consultants and or coaches. Now, don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with seeking people out. But face it, this bunch gets hit by many people wanting to “advise” them. But they are smart in their use of these people.
Millennials look at these people not as the last word, but simply as resources. They go in knowing that they need to question authority on a subject and pointing to some paper on the wall just isn’t going to do it for them. They know that ultimately they are their own master and are an equal to the people they are consulting with. This is NOT what the last few generations were taught.
I personally love being around this particular group of entrepreneurs and make a point to speak to a few a week. If you are being plagued by the limiting beliefs that are outlined in this article, then, I suggest you do the same. Take notes, watch how they operate and leave the illusion that because they are young, that you have anything over them. This will serve only to create more blinders and inhibit further growth.
Peace!