Does your granddaughter come over and sit in a corner with her phone all day? Are there strange pictures on the phone of her with cartoon puppy ears? What are all those letters she’s typing, and what on earth is a meme? Maybe she’s a little older, and she says she’s working, but her computer screen is full of animation.
Millennials are a different breed. It’s a generation no one really understands, except other Millennials, and they don’t like to be told they’re different. But no doubt they are, and it comes mostly from technology and a childhood of encouragement (everyone gets a trophy!). Here are some things that might help you understand the Millennials in your life.
Attitude
Do you remember being afraid? Of anything – asking a member of the opposite sex out on a date, giving a speech, losing your job, saying something stupid, etc. Well, this generation isn’t afraid. It’s astounding, but it’s true. In some ways, we can see this as arrogant, but a heightened self-confidence level really isn’t such a bad thing. Imagine believing you could accomplish anything you want. There’d be nothing to stop you from trying, and chances are, you’d come out on top at some point. While hard to understand, this generation is part of something new and bold, and instead of being appalled, be happy that your loved one has the confidence to achieve.
A New Life View
We were told we had to get married and have children, have a career, be responsible and work hard. This generation doesn’t have that same ideal. They want to cut the strings that weigh them down and venture out into the world. Isn’t there a place you’ve always wanted to see, or something you’ve always wanted to do? Millennials make that dream a reality. By experiencing the world and prolonging family, they become more fully formed, people. So it’s a good trait, even if it’s different.
Using Technology
That little phone does a whole lot. No doubt you even have a smartphone and you use it. But Millennials are constantly finding new apps, and digging for information. They could make for excellent Private Eyes, but what they are really doing is engaging in a new business arena that the world is now dependent on for all kinds of ventures. While it might be nice to get their dilated pupils out from the screen for a sandwich every couple of hours, it’s not such a bad thing – they’re developing skills for later in life.
New Careerists
While they don’t like criticism, this confidence they’ve gained drives them to go out on their own to create. This bold, risky move often actually pays off! Others are guns for hire, and so they can work from anywhere in the world, and still be a hardworking, hot commodity. Remember being stuck at the office? That’s becoming a thing of the past. The workplace is changing as fast as the kind of work people are engaged in, so while it might not make any sense, and it might seem like endless wanderlust, this generation is truly hard at work, it just looks a little different now.
The answer might not be to understand Millennials, rather embrace them. And it’s okay to give them a nudge from time to time. No matter what, everyone should take time to talk to grandma in person. Or else use that Skype.
