Blogging About Generation Y: Is it Worth it?

The other day I got an email from a twentysomething who was absolutely fed up with people writing about Generation Y. More specifically, young bloggers who consistently use the words "We" and "Us" as if they have a God-given right to be a spokesman for millions of individuals.

The funny thing is, I could relate. I write about Generation Y all the time and it's hard to do without sounding a little disingenuous.

So why do I do it? Why does anybody do it? Are people like me doing service to Generation Y or are we making things worse for a group of people that has enough to deal with? I'm on both sides of the fence with this one.

We're fortifying Gen-Y stereotypes.

And I'm not just talking about the negative ones either. There are plenty of stereotypes out there that may seem encouraging to some of us, but just don't encompass the entire population.

For instance, I've heard some people argue that all Gen Yers are self-starting entrepreneurs. Not true. There are plenty of us out there who are happy with a structured corporate environment and wouldn't want it any other way.

Look at me for instance, a founder of a startup. But I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a trademark entrepreneur. I owe the more entrepreneurial elements of our company's success to my business partners. And lucky for me, there's a newfound respect for the role of a community manager in the startup space.

We're not traditional experts. So what are we talking about?

On the Internet you don't have to be an expert to be considered an authority and that's perfectly fine with me. But at the same time it's dangerous for anyone who doesn't understand that most bloggers are writing based on opinion, not fact.

Most Gen-Y bloggers are not experts. I've given speeches on the topic and I still have a hard time calling myself "expert." Maybe it's because I know that my opinions will inevitably change. Or maybe I just know that what I want now, in my twenties, isn't going to be what I want when I'm thirty, or forty.

But, I also think I have a hard time playing the expert because everything we're saying about Generation Y isn't going to be true when we finally become the leaders of this world. Some of it will, but certainly not all of it. Nostradamus couldn't predict things that accurately, either can we.

And still, I see a lot of value in putting our young voices out there for the world to hear. Just because we're not going to get everything right, doesn't mean that we shouldn't be thinking.

It teaches us about the bigger picture.

Generation Y is given a bad rap for being narcissists, but the young people I know who are writing well about their generation are doing it with other people in mind.

Writing about Generation Y is important because it helps us analyze where we're headed as a group of people. It brings up questions about what we can and can't do, what we want and don't want. And that means we're getting a head start on all of the fantastic changes we hope to make in the world.

And maybe some of our expectations sound a bit delusional to disillusioned Gen Xers, but a lot of them aren't as far-fetched as some believe. The import thing is that we're thinking about it, and talking about it, together. And that means we're much more likely to make something happen, learning from each other along the way.

If we don't, somebody else still will.

When I first entered the blogosphere and wrote about Generation Y, there were a lot of haters out there. There still are. And while the media continued to bash us, story after story, nobody from our generation took the time to fight back.

Would it better if we didn't talk back? Is it better to let our antagonists nitpick at all of our flaws and not even mention one of our many amazing qualities?

The obvious answer is no.

Generation Y: Here Are the Real Dues We Need to Pay

When I hear older generations talk about Generation Y having to pay their dues, I get a little sick to my stomach. Not because I'm trying so hard to avoid the whole thing (I am), but because I have more important things to develop before worrying about a fat paycheck and a corner office with a view.

Due paying gets a bad rap because it's consistently associated with cubicles, meaningless work and low-paying jobs with little benefit. But I believe that there are other inevitable obstacles—more important ones—that we need to conquer before deciding where we stand within the working world.

Here are three due-paying opportunities that we all need to think about before fussing over the traditional connotation of "paying your dues."

Discover who your true friends are.

If you're more than a year out of college you've likely figured it out—everyone you considered friends at school is not going to be there forever. In fact, it's quite possible that you'll encounter some mild betrayal before long. It comes with the territory.

I consider myself pretty lucky. But there are times when I'm utterly let down. And because everyone has their own goals, though sometimes fairly hazy goals, you shouldn't dwell on the people in your life that didn't end up being as loyal as you thought they would be.

What I've learned to do is this: whenever somebody lets you down, put your energy into someone who consistently picks you up. Those are the people you want to center your life around. And it's those people who will continue to add meaning in your life as you pay your dues as a twentysomething.

Discover what it's like to be alone.

While I continue to realize that I still have some true friends, there are still days when I can't help but feel lost and alone. And I think that most people feel this way at some point.

Whether you're single, dating or married, we all have to figure out for ourselves where we fit in the world. Sure, you can count on your loved ones for support, but it's you alone who makes the decision about where you fit and what makes you happy.

One thing I've learned since moving to Madison and starting Brazen Careerist is that life can't be measured by your social life alone, and it's certainly not measured by a paycheck or by where you stand in the hierarchy of the working world. The most important measure in life is how you feel about yourself. And some of the biggest revelations will hit you not when you're out partying with friends or working towards a higher salary, but when you're by yourself, alone and kind of unsettled by the things that are still missing in your life.

Sound depressing? Sure. It's seldom a fairy tale experience for any of us. But what you learn through these experiences is what you need to move forward and be more of the person you want to be someday.

Feeling alone is a big part of paying your dues. Don't fear it; try to embrace it and get comfortable.

Discover your fear, and conquer it.

Lately I've been reading Christine Hassler's 20 Something Manifesto. I learn best from listening to other people's experiences and this book is jammed-pack with twenty-something life.

Today I read about fear and I can't stop thinking about what Christine says:

If you have a skill, dream, or desire that you are passionate about pursuing, perhaps the biggest obstacle you will face is your own fear…Fear can keep us in bad situations, and also from pursuing our passions. Fear can often be a stronger motivator than the desire for success, stopping us in our tracks before we even find out what we want.

Lately I've been talking to a few people who seem to have something in mind that they want to do, but aren't sure how to really do it. But I'm starting to believe it's less about the actual drawing out a plan and more about drawing up the courage to make it happen.

Whether it's leaving a new job, starting a new one, moving away from family and friends, or any other daunting scenario I've ever faced, the most difficult part of the transition was mustering up the courage to do it. But once I sucked things up and overcame the fear of failure, everything else was gravy in comparison.

And sure, I still encounter little failures along the way. But they only make me better. A few scars are worth the irritation because you'll look at them later and remember what you did wrong that put them there in the first place.

So before you fret about office politics or the way the working world views Generation Y, think about developing yourself. People are always going to whine about how lazy and self-absorbed young people are, so let's just spend these years paying real dues first–ones that will actually pay off for the rest of our lives.

Forget About Generation Y: We're All to Blame for Workplace Woes

I've been blogging about generational differences for over a year now. But with all the back and forth, constant banter, and little resolution, it feels more like ten years.

It feels like everyone is saying the same stuff over and over. Boomers and X'ers complain about Generation Y, and then Generation Y complains about everybody else. But really, we should all just be complaining about ourselves together.

We all have a lot of similar traits that make the workplace really suck sometimes. But for some reason we're so distracted by the minor differences between us that we forget how we're all a pain in the ass sometimes.

Generations aside, here are three things that will always remain the same:

We all have unrealistic expectations of each other.

Does Generation Y have unrealistic expectations when it comes to our first jobs? Absolutely, but who can blame us?

When it comes to education, I can't remember one professor who taught me the ins and outs of entry-level living. And parents, well, let's face it. It was a much different world when then got out of school than it is today.

So while Gen Y needs to get a grip on what it means to be at the bottom of the food chain, managers need to re-evaluate what they expect their young workers to be in tune with. It seems pretty logical to me that we won't know everything.

We're all a little stubborn at first.

My first real project was facilitating groups of senior management on a new operating model being released to the company. Nobody wanted to change and there was a lot of resistance.

"Why do we need to change now?" they'd ask.

Everyone left grumbling about all the work they'd now have to do, explaining this system to their employees. I didn't hear from any of them for weeks.

Then a couple weeks later people starting calling for materials to hand out to their employees. It started to make sense that no matter how much they fought, the company was still making a change.

I think the same is going to happen with the rift between Generation Y and the rest of the workforce. Only it will happen a lot slower. Change is a dirtier process when it occurs from the bottom up.

But just wait until you catch your boss texting and loving it. They're already sending emails via Blackberry, which is really not that different.

We're all whiners.

The older I get, the more I realize that we are all just a bunch of whiners. And by we I don't mean Generation Y. I mean we as in everybody.

For over a year now I've listened to older generations hate on Generation Y, then Generation Y hate back. Even I threw my own two cents into the blogosphere, adding some fuel to the on-going fire of generational conflict.

The sooner we come to terms with the fact that we all have something worth complaining about, the sooner we can cooperate using the only method that's ever kept the majority happy—give and take.

I'm hoping as more Gen Ys mature and become accustomed to the realities of the workplace, it'll be easier for us all to grasp that we all have problems, regardless of our generation.

But even then, Gen Next will enter the working world, bringing more grief for the rest of us who are corporately over the hill. So let the cycle continue, I guess. Just don't let me become the guy who calls all those young employees selfish and entitled. Let me be the cool boss, please.

Standing at a Crossroad: Am I Still a Millennial?

Because 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 startup. And as much as that whole scenario blew my freaking mind, I didn't change via startup 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 startup 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.

What to Do When You Hit a Juncture: Don't Put Life on Hold

One of the most important things I've learned over the past year is that you should aim to live in a place that mirrors your own personality. Unfortunately, most of us won't find ourselves in that perfect place from the get-go. So it's important to not let it get you down, or keep you from achieving your goals.

I have no intention of staying in Madison for more than a couple years. Just enough time to get our business going and hopefully move somewhere that suits my personality. But a couple years is a long time. If I just put things off because I'm waiting for the perfect place to take action, I'll miss out on a lot I've looked forward to for years. Timing isn't always everything. The other half is putting your dreams into action.

What I realized through my lack of action over the past year is that great things can happen in a juncture. We're really just procrastinating when we deceive ourselves into thinking we should wait.

Have you ever told yourself these things in a juncture?

If I'm just patient, good things will happen to me.

Image Credit: jenvanw
The first time I probably told myself this was in high school. And it was probably over a girl. Because I was probably awkward and goofy.

But with confidence and a few more years under the belt, we should all learn that patience is only half a virtue. The second half is a willingness to put yourself out there, even if it might crush your ego.

If you're in a new city and you're social life sucks, it's probably because you're not taking enough risks. Being quiet and reserved can seem like the right move because it's safe, but in fact, it's killing your chances of meeting the right people.

Weekend homework assignment: Go to the bar and put yourself in a situation that runs the risk of making an ass out of you in front of the opposite of sex. Sound like an all-time backfire? Maybe.

But maybe not. Great relationships usually begin during awkward moments. Test the theory out for yourself. If you fail, miserably, I'll owe you a drink.

I should just put in more hours working. I'll enjoy myself later.

When we first came to Madison we lived via late-night meetings, skipping out on happy hours – it was a first-class ticket to depression.

And I really hate that I used to live like that. There's a risk of having only weak relationships when you choose to live this way. Fall into this trap now, and who's to say you'll escape from it later?

My new approach: go out whenever you can reasonably afford to. As long as it doesn't seriously affect your work, it's as an important element on your path to success as climbing that ladder every day.

Everything I create here won't matter once I leave. Why waste my time?

I once met a girl from Mexico who convinced me to study Spanish. I went home and bought Rosetta Stone. Granted, I'm susceptible to foreign girls, but it's proof enough to me that short-term friendships can affect our lives.

Now that I'm finally settled in Madison, I'm embracing every new friendship I possibly can because I've learned to be okay with "temporary." Change is going to happen and nothing is permanent.

People who can adapt quickly to change can find happiness almost anywhere. So learn to embrace where you are all the time, even if deep down you wonder if you will ever think anything but "this sucks."

It's doubtful that anyone in their twenties is completely in tune with their environment. And even if you are, that will probably change as you grow older. What's important to realize is, as long as you're willing to embrace where you are today, you're probably going to end up in the right place tomorrow.