I love kids. Not in the creepy “I’m going to steal your child” kind of way, but still, I find them to be inspiring.
I think back to when I was younger and I remember just how happy I was.
I believed that everything and anything was possible.
As kids, the world is awesome. We see the world as this wonderful place and what we see is opportunity. We’re not yet jaded.
In studying generational differences in the workforce, one of the things that I’ve discovered is that all generations when they first enter the workforce are pretty similar. Baby Boomers, Millennials, each group of individuals, as young professionals, have shared the same frustrations and at the same time, the same hopes and desires.
Us recent graduates see possibility. We look at our surroundings, we look at our world and we see great opportunity to make it better.
This annoys a lot of people.
But to those people I ask…it was like that once for you, wasn’t it? You had new ideas and you wanted to make a difference. You dared to challenge the status-quo. You were going to change the world, weren’t you?
So tell me, what happened? Actually, there’s no need to tell me, because I already know.
People told you that you can’t. And sadly, you listened.
They discouraged you and told you that you weren’t going to change the world. And slowly, as time went by, you started to believe them.
That’s why I get so upset when reading negative articles pertaining to GenY, pertaining to the Millennials, pertaining to anyone young for that matter. Because within our youth, there exists so much untapped potential.
Here’s one of my favorite essays, written by Samuel Ullman, called Youth.
Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of imagination, a vigor of the emotions, it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage, and power from men and from God, so long are they young.
When the aerials are down and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope that you may die young at 80.
We need to stop discouraging our youth. As corny as it sounds, they ARE the future. Rather than telling them all the reasons why their ideas won’t work, rather than resisting change, rather than crushing their hopes of impacting the world in a positive way, we should be helping them. We should be encouraging them. We should be working together, people of all generations, putting our egos aside, and striving to live life with the state of mind depicted in Ullman’s essay.
I have hopes. I have ideas. I have dreams. And I also possess the understanding that at some point (maybe it’s already started), I’ll be told that my dreams are unrealistic. I’ll be told that I can’t.
So here’s my voice, my stance on this matter made very public for the generation before me and the one that comes after…
I’m not listening.
And neither should you.
So true!
Kayla each generation has faced the same problem that you speak of. Just keep moving forward in the direction you are heading and you will succeed as you desire. 🙂
Hi Kayla, I agree with you always follow your dreams the ones that benefit you. Success has so many twist and turns but with the right people around you and support of friends and family there is no stopping you. I remember I was told by many teachers, “you’ll never become a nurse,” Well, I’ve been an Registered Nurse for over 30 years and currently working on my Masters, For me, Can’t speak for everyone, I hold fast to that which is good. God has great plans for our lives if we believe So move on position yourself and watch your dreams come alive. Ok I’m babbling. Enjoy the journey
Tis true we have way too many who have abandoned their dreams. I encourage my students to follow their dreams, finding out what they need to do to achieve their dreams. I try to instill in them that every dream is worthwhile, but that we must also face the reality of how to reach that dream. I was repeatedly told that I would never be a writer. I refused to believe it…I am a writer.
A wise person once said, “if you believe you can, or if you believe you can’t, you’re right.”‘
Lots of truth in that. Keep up the good work, Kayla.
On a kinda similar notes – http://justaparna.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/ramblings/
I mentioned this yesterday, but I have nominated you for the “Sunshine Award. Check out this blog for details:http://hughcurtler.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/sunshine-award/ Keep up the good work!
Right on! The negative attitudes are just everywhere these days! People have something bad to say about everything… as soon as they see a flicker of light, of positive energy, a lot of people all gather round to put it out… I don’t know why people are so afraid of happiness…
I ran the same gauntlets as you describe and early on I was confounded as to why my employers could not see the brilliance and value of my ideas. As I grew in the workforce I discovered that taking time to observe how an organization functions and who the decision makers really are, is the first step. Keep in mind that many feel that any suggestion of a way to do something better means that they have A) not thought of it themselves and B) have been working inefficiently or incorrectly all along. Take care to choose the person you present your idea for change is someone who will not take it personally and has the ability within the organization to facilitate the change you suggest. I have seen on more than one occasion a new employee whose first days were spent telling everyone within earshot that there were better ways to do nearly everything. And perhaps that was so. But sadly, the rest of the group was offended and alarmed, and the new employee lasted but a short while, not because they were not capable but that they ran roughshod over the very people whose decision it was for them to stay or go. Most people fear change, a good deal of psychology is required to bring them along with you in your enthusiasm and drive. Remember, the surest way to sell a product or idea to the public or your boss is to demonstrate “what is in it for me?”
It’s all in your leadership. Two men worked for a company. The older man had the typical leadership style of “this is the way it is…it works this way…I’m older, wiser, and more experienced,” and the younger’s style was “look at this…what do you think…you want to try it with me?” The older had an iron fist; the younger was gentler and more (com)passionate.
A year passed. The older asked for the younger’s resignation, who refused. The older fired the younger, and the younger took 3/4 of the company with him to start another company.
This scenario doesn’t happen everywhere, but learning how to be a good leader is the key to your success.
Great entry and essay.
Great post, keep them coming! I might not by a geny-er, but I do find inspiration in your voice, thanks!
Absolutely agree. I grew up immersed in the “You can’t” message, and it’s only in recent years (and I’m a Gen-Xer) that I realized I had the power to change that message. What a difference it makes!
Great post. It is a good idea though to spend a bit of time learning why things are done the way they are done and why they haven’t changed before trying to push ideas. Sometimes things are done certain ways for a good reason.
Another great post Kayla! Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.
Reblogged this on The Spidereen Frigate and commented:
Kayla Cruz at Gen Y Girl is wise beyond her years, and deliriously optimistic. I heart her so big. In this blog, she hit on something that I think we all need to be reminded of from time to time: embrace the invincibility of childhood. You can do anything you want–who is going to stop you?
Loved it!! I need to share this on my social media. Many people need to hear this.