Thank the Great Recession?!
You can kiss my loan-carrying, unemployed, bunking-with-my-parents-backside.
At least that’s how I would’ve responded four years ago — when I was interviewing to be a used airplane parts sales assistant living on a diet of Top Ramen, angst, and what the heck now?
But now I believe the Great Recession was actually the GREATEST thing that could’ve happened to our generation. When the history books look back, it will see that Gen Y and Millennials experienced success because of the Great Recession, not in spite of it.
Let me explain…
Two Reasons the Great Recession will make Gen Y Successful
1. Change or Die
Most twentysomething’s have experienced a near decade of transition — with more job and housing changes than a chameleon has colors. Change has been thrust on Gen Y like a blind date — we didn’t want it, but through the experience we learned something important.
Change is Gen Y’s normal.
As Professor Robert Quin writes in his book Deep Change:
“Change is hell. Yet not to change, to stay on the path of slow death, is also hell. The difference is that the hell of deep change is the hero’s journey.”
We’ve died a hundred times with every sent resume with no response, every hiring freeze or downsizing. We’ve had to change, morph, become better, more resilient.
The lack of a red carpet has forced Gen Y to find a different, better way to the party.
As the Fast Company article Generation Flux explains, “This is the moment for an explosion of opportunity, there for the taking by those prepared to embrace the change.”
Those who know how to change, will win. I see Gen Y with a big grin, holding the trophy.
2. We Received a Pinned Down, Painful, Shot of Humility and Patience.
The moment most of us crossed the graduation stage, we wanted success NOW. We were talented, motivated — we were the shiz that didn’t stink.
We wanted it our way. But quickly our way became no way in hell.
So we pouted. We threw tantrums like a five-year-old clutching a Tickle-Me-Elmo in a toy aisle.
But we’ve been forced to be patient and humble, slowly overcoming some of our greatest weaknesses. We’ve had the cocky slammed out of us like a Pinata at a brithday party.
And maybe that’s not the worst thing to happen?
What are your thoughts about “thanking” the Great Recession?
So true! After reading this and thinking on your question, I am thankful for the GR because it’s helped me to look outside myself and develop empathy and compassion, something I’m not sure was properly passed down by the boomers. Less “me”, more “others”.
Less “me”, more “others”. – Great line. Thank you
I have always loved your point of view, Paul and this has just amplified my love. =)
I hadn’t really thought about how the recession made me work harder and get my ass in gear, but as I read this, I realized that if it weren’t for the recession, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.
The recession taught me that there’s a whole lot more out there than just a steady paycheck at a dead-end job.
Thanks for this! Keep up the awesome work. 🙂
Thank you Morgan!!
I’d add that in addition there’s learning to be creative about spending and consumption (though not to the extent of the great depression). Saving containers, gardening, DIYing, and reclaiming are big; and minimalism is in vogue.
Great points Alissa. Thank you
“we were the shiz that didn’t stink” -> LOL Good one! How many of us Gen Y-ers have actually thought that we were the best? All I know is that when I was in university, this was the general attitude. We were all cocky, Mr-and-Ms-Know-It-All, uber competitive, and most especially, living life as if we all got it all figured out. *sigh*
The GR has indeed gave me a dose of reality, patience and most importantly – HUMILITY. Humility is a virtue, not a weakness, and one day, having lots of it will pay off.
Thanks Shalom. The Great Recession has definitely smacked me time and time again with uncomfortable doses of needed character. Not easy, but good.
http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/photos/diverse-cities-same-story-we-re-jobless-slideshow/francesco-foglia-37-poses-for-a-picture-as-he-works-as-a-street-sweeper-in-downtown-rome-photo-1339991594.html
I saw this on yahoo.ca. The picture gallery immediately reminded me of this article. 🙂 It’s so sad to note that even Generation X-ers in 3rd world countries are affected by the GR.
Very interesting. Thanks Shalom for sharing.
The Great Recession actually made me realize what my true passion and calling is. I will actually be heading to South Africa in August. If it wasn’t for the GR, I wouldn’t be heading to where God wants me right now. Thank you GR! 🙂
So cool Katie. Another example of the Great Recession blowing up our plans so we have to start re-writing better ones.
I just read this article for the first time today and I must say it has been one of the most interesting articles I have had the pleasure of reading. I, for one, never imagined I would graduate from college and a little over a year later still be unemployed. This article has made me realize that all of the “thank you, but we are not hiring at this time” letters have not made me weak and feeble but have made me stronger and determined.