The Power of Now: What Sets Gen Y Apart
July 11, 2007
It seems like the more I read, the more I see people my age blogging about work, careers and how we’ll face the challenges and opportunities we know are coming. As a part of the conversation myself, I’ve been very interested in how workers in different generations view this topic of our generation. Today, over at Brazen Careerist, Ryan Healy touched on this a bit in his column, TwentySomething.
The conversation about and among different generations in the workplace is pretty interesting. I read everything from bewilderment to incredulity to agreement with the insights of my peers. Some tell us that we’re no different than any generation before in terms of what we want. Some say that our sights are set too high and we’re going to have to pay our dues like everyone else has before us. Some share their insights, encouragement, advice and camaraderie.
It’s a great conversation. It’s made me think seriously about what really does set Gen Y apart. The answer: it’s all about timing.
What sets our generation apart from the rest of the generations is what’s always set generations apart from one another – when our lives are taking place and what’s happening as they are. For example, we’re entering the workforce now, as opposed to any other time. What else defines us? Here’s a view from the inside.
- We were told we could become anything growing up. Most of us believed it. Some of us got a false sense of self out of the deal, and others just pushed ourselves to do everything we could.
- We were born to Boomer parents and kept a watchful eye on the Gen Xers closest to our age. We saw our parents sacrifice their lives to their careers and don’t want that for ourselves.
- We saw Gen X rebel against traditional structures our parents followed, and their garage start-ups became billion dollar companies, not to mention the best places to work . Doing things ourselves seems like the ticket to many of us, too.
- We grew up with computers and now fuel the user-generated, social media technologies of today, as opposed to more gatekeeper-controlled mediums of the past.
- We have unprecedented access to technology and education.
- We may not all be “risk-takers” like Gen Xers, but we don’t have to take as many risks. Our Boomer parents have our backs. For longer than ever before. That can be debilitating or empowering.
- We are used to immediate gratification thanks to things like the microwave, movies on video and shopping online.
- We were told the job market was stellar and we’d get an awesome job after college. This was true for some of us. Others of us are putting off finding a job by going to grad school or traveling. The rest of us are waiting, rather impatiently, either for a great first job or a great promotion. (See the above point.) In the meantime, many of us want to do something about it.
These all lead to some fundamental shifts in the way we view, interact with and anticipate the world and our lives, as it often goes with all generations.
These factors have helped set the stage for us to join a very powerful conversation. It’s the one defining our values, our work ethic, our expectations and even our results. Who we are as a generation is being defined right now, and we know it.
That’s why I love the dialogue between all the generations on this subject. But there’s more to it than that. We’re realizing the power of the conversation. We are not just asking questions. We are not just aware that we’re being defined and letting other people write it down for us. We are responding to, participating in and even instigating the conversation. We are helping write the definition for our generation by adding our voices to the mix.
And to me, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what I mean about timing. Our generation is different because we’re out there en masse, now, in our youth, taking advantage of technology, timing and the conversation. Stirring the waters in a forum that didn’t exist during the formative years of the other generations. Maybe it’s a new incarnation of an old rebellion. Blogging might be the new underground newspaper – with wider reach and more people contributing. And that’s already making some interesting things happen. Even if it’s just in the form of a well-read conversation or interesting debate. You know what Seth Godin tells us about good ideas. They spread. Like a virus. And eventually, they change things. That’s the hope of bloggers like me who are joining the conversation that is defining who we are. We’re embracing the power of now.
I just finished a great book called Getting Things Done, by David Allen. It was about more than time management – it focuses on really managing all you do rather than letting it control you. I’d definitely recommend it as a great read.
Though at this point in my career I can see how a lot of his advice would be helpful, there are levels of his system that just don’t seem to apply to me. For instance, I’m not a file-folder-in-filing-cabinets person. Plus, maybe it’s that generational thing, but I need a system that will only take me 20 minutes a day to manage
And, even though it may not be good for me, I can’t give up multitasking all at once. But I’m working on the time management thing. So, I thought I’d share my favorite five tips for getting things done.
1. Separate projects from tasks. This was one of the main things I gleaned from Getting Things Done. It’s not exactly what Allen prescribes, but it’s how I adapt it to my life. I have two lists – one of projects, one of tasks. Most of the tasks have to do with the projects. I revise and print my task list at the start of each day so I’m starting out fresh. The projects list I look at once a week to make sure I have written down tasks that move each of my projects forward. I also put spur-of-the-moment stuff on my task list. So far, this has saved me tons of time and helped me keep working on all priority level projects and tasks.
2. Learn the power of the verb. Now that my projects have their own list, every time I write something down on my task list, it begins with a verb. No matter what. No more is my daily to-do list filled with projects like “Communication Plan for HR” or “Client Newsletter.” Now, I can easily navigate through tasks like “Draft Proposal for HR Comm Plan” and “Select Three Topics for Client Newsletter.” Golden. There really is something to the power of the verb.
3. Use technology to manage tasks and projects, but don’t get distracted by it. Programs like the task manager in Microsoft Outlook are great, but don’t get so caught up in them that you spend more time using the programs than doing your actual work. Take the time to learn the programs and use the functions you really need.
4. Get your information at regularly scheduled times; don’t let it interrupt you. Turn off instant messaging, close your e-mail and take calls only when you can be disturbed. Most experts recommend checking e-mail once an hour. This is admittedly one of my main weaknesses. I’m in a line of work where I deal with people who expect to be called or e-mailed back pretty quickly. So, I’m starting small by checking my e-mail only once every half hour and returning phone calls once or twice a day, unless it’s urgent.
5. Don’t seek out distractions to give your brain a “break.” The average worker wastes at least two – three hours each workday, and for most young workers, much of that time is online. You may think that checking out what’s new at PerezHilton.com will give you that brain boost of distraction you crave, but it will probably lead you to what Britney Spears just posted on her website, and on from there. Even if you try to keep it work related by checking the business section of CNN.com, do you really need to know about the seven-year-old who heroically saved that kennel of dogs from drowning? I didn’t think so. Keep your online reading habits in check. I think we’d all gain tons of time each day if we could just take this fully to heart.
There’s a few of my top suggestions for getting things done. I’m sure there are tons I’ve missed, and these may or may not work for you, so please share your time management / productivity tips in the comments below.
Show Me the Money. Seriously, But That’s Not All.
July 7, 2007
Time’s Lisa Takeuchi Cullen recently commented at her blog, Work in Progress, that she’d prefer cash as her top reward for a job well done. So I’ve been thinking – what do most Gen Y workers want the most?
The answer is not as clear cut as it may seem. I think if most Gen Y workers I know were asked to pick only one of the list of traditional “retention” techniques, more money would be at the top of the list. But the problem with this answer is, it’s a given. Everyone wants to make more money. I certainly do. So much that it’s basically a non-answer, because as the job market tightens, companies are starting to offer more and more money to people starting out. It’s there for recruiting, so it makes sense that it should stay there for retention as well. So to all the employers out there: get ready to pony up the cash, because your talented, top-performing young workers don’t just deserve it, they know they do. And if you don’t give it to them, they will find another job somewhere else that does. Don’t even waste your time wondering about it. The jobs are opening up, so you better open up your pocketbook as well. It will cost you at least 150% the annual cost of a worker’s salary to replace them – so ROI is on the side of higher salaries, too. So, wanting more money’s a given. Hopefully, young workers getting paid what they deserve follows suit. Let’s move on to the rest of the mix.
One of favorite bloggers, Penelope Trunk recently wrote a column for Time about what the Gen Y worker wants. I read it, and I think she’s right on. My answer to her question of what the Gen Y worker wants is simple and to-the-point.
We want everything – well, all the good stuff, that is. We want flexible schedules, career advancement opportunities, a great relationship with our boss and co-workers, interesting tasks and assignments, training and education, professional advancement, community involvement and volunteerism, access to technology, all of it. Who doesn’t want those great things, right? But will we get them?
Employers need to realize that the time is coming when the Googles of the world will make it so talented workers don’t have to settle for anything less. So watch out, world. Generation Y is on a serious mission to radically change the work world. And if our employers don’t do it for us, don’t worry about it. It’s not us I’m worried about, it’s them. I have a feeling we’ll be fine.
