Ah... Kids These Days...

Glad to be back writing posts!  I'll cut the sentimental filler and get right into the good stuff...

Being among many younger workers has given me a little insight on why I had some conflict with older workers in my own past.  Younger people (as well as I) are dumb.  Seriously.  And not in the intellectual sense, book smarts, etc.  The 18-24 year old American population (which just so happens to be the target consumer market most sought out for by American businesses) is a group that just isn't fully developed.

It's not their fault.  The elders are correct in most respects; we don't have much experience, and we play the game of life wrong. 

Dead give-aways of youth in the work environment:

• Coming in with high expectations and a sense of entitlement
• Overt highs and lows with emotions (freak-outs) and words (ex. use of the word awesome/amazing at least more than once)
• Exchanging that new paycheck for the latest gadget/toys/supplies
• Overly self-conscious about looks
• Accepting everything without question (having no backbone)
• Stepping over boundaries (proving to have backbone) at the most inappropriate times
• "Throwing on the charm" instead of bringing in results
• Getting caught up in the office drama
• Looking for that raise without even being in a year
  

Now I could go on for days, but I'm sure by now you've seen some of these signs from your past self or around you in your current line of duty.  It's a stage we all go through... the taste of freedom and finally being out on our own... it gives us this sense to prove our potential as soon as possible.  And this rush ultimately causes our burnout and sets us back.

I went through it myself.  I've been paying income taxes for almost 7 years now, doing various jobs since I was 16, and I still catch myself from time to time showing my youth.  And it really comes down to not having formed fully as an adult.

It's one thing to talk about your beliefs, morals, values, etc.  But being out on your own, coming across situations that you are fully and ultimately responsible for, tests who you really are and what you are about.  You can't fake it anymore.  You are what you repeatedly do.  I can keep on posting about how I'll be financially free to do whatever I want when I'm 30.  But if I'm not stashing away those savings every month, minimizing my expenses, and adjusting along the way... it'd only be a pipe dream.  And who cares if anyone writes you off or expects you to fail?  Your only important judge is you.

I guess becoming an adult happens when you're no longer worrying about proving to others how great of an adult you'll be.  It's just being.