There are certain stereotypes for each generation. Some are true, while others are not. Those who were shaped by the Great Depression and World War II perceive themselves as hardworking, modest and respectful. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers are seen as optimistic and driven, yet out of touch with technology. More recently, Gen Xers were assumed to be pessimistic, independent and cynical. Then, there's us—the Millennials.
Millennial: mil·len·nial /miˈlenēəl/ noun. 1. lazy, unmotivated, inherently social 2. Technological overindulged, self centered
The older generations have a lot of negative perceptions about us, but most of those perceptions are simply not true. It just creates conflict between generations. Although stereotypes are created out of common patterns found within a group, the millennial stereotypes have now being proven false.
We are excessively lazy.
The notion that millennials are lazy is probably the biggest misconception about us. The idea that we're lazy derives from our constant attachment to new products that make our lives more efficient. It's not laziness, it's knowing that there are things out there that can do the job for us. Some call this lack of effort, but we know that it's truly productivity We are aware that there is more than one way to go about doing things and are tired of the same old practices that do not work in today's advanced society.
We aren't motivated by anything.
I've found that our parents refuse to believe that we, as millennials, feel any sort of motivation to complete a task. The issue is that our generation is searching for work in one of the most competitive job markets in recent history. It seems like we're not doing anything, when in reality we're anxiously waiting for an opportunity to arise. We are the generation that wants to work at a job they love, where we know we can make a difference. We value creativity and meaning in our work, so the ability to buy a house and car is not our immediate goal. Instead of not being motivated, it's quite the opposite. We're so driven by what we know in our hearts, that we will stop at nothing to make sure we reach our goals.
We are too social.
We have made this world our playground. We have access to connect with millions of people through the media and the Internet. The connections we make are not always for fun, because we also blend the line between work and play with sites such as LinkedIn. We know that our 500 Facebook friends are not our real friends—and that's okay. We're not trying to be anything that we're not with our indulgence in social media. It's simply the medium for keeping updated and informed these days.
We are technology obsessed.
It is true that we have been shaped by technology. We've grown up looking forward to the newest and better models. Technology has completely changed the world, and we are the first generation that accepts digitalized items as the norm. However, in recent years, our generation has become aware of technology's effects. As a result, we are learning that sometimes you need to put down the phone in order to satisfy the need to be living in the present. After all, we are more concerned with living in the moment than any piece of technology can compete with.
We are self-centered.
In the age of selfie sticks and profile pictures, it's hard to argue against this point. In contrast to the assumed narcissism, millennials are increasingly more adventurous and in search of the next big experience. We want to share these things with others. It is important that we show there is more in life for us to experience. The selfie stick and GoPros only enhance the memories we have sought for ourselves. While the constant need to photograph ourselves is present, this compulsion is not rooted in ourselves, but rather the world around us.
We are not exactly how others perceive us. We are not narcissistic or needy. We are a generation with wanderlust, the desire to achieve and the need to make a difference. The children in the new millennium are the future, and we are equipping ourselves with the right tools to succeed.
