You may or may not know this about me, but in the case that you don't...I'll fill you in! My main degree is in communication technologies (journalism). For awhile I wrote for the local newspaper and wrote mostly opinion pieces. If you ever read them, you may know I spoke my mind and didn't hold back. Hmm....kind of like I do on here right!?
Sure this is a business blog...but it's still a blog. So I like to switch things up sometimes! I think writing about various topics also helps my customers get to know me a bit. Which is why I decided to do a bit of an opinion style post this week.
I think it's pretty fair (and obvious) that there is a major difference in working style and ethic starting in my generation and going down (or younger). Or maybe you'd prefer if I say there's major entitlement issues in the younger generations? Mine included. Now I'm no researcher or expert here, but I can't help but think that part of the problem is that the younger generation no longer has working as a priority.
Whether it's their own choosing, or their parents'....working just doesn't seem like a priority. Yet everyone still wants money and objects. So how does that work? Everyone just wants things handed to them or expects things to come easily. I have worked ever since I was 13. I started out working for my parents and have added and subtracted jobs as the years go on...usually holding down more than one job at a time. And I still do! Granted, I'm hardly ever at my parents' company anymore, but I do what I can while still making my own business my priority. (Running your business can feel like 4 jobs!)
Don't get me wrong....when all my friends were at the beach and I was going to work in the factory I wasn't always thrilled about it. I even threw some bratty teenage fits about it. But instead of just letting me do what I wanted all the time, my parents put me to work in order to get things I wanted. If I worked a certain amount I would get a day to go to the beach with friends or a trip to the store to spend my paycheck. But I had to earn it.
Now, I couldn't be more grateful to my parents for doing this. They have a work ethic most people could only dream of having, and I hope others can see their ways rubbed off on me. I will never forget the way it felt to buy my very first ipod (the ones that were like big bricks) with my paycheck. I don't use it anymore, but I can't make myself get rid of it because of that memory. Or the time I was determined to finish packing a certain amount of product and wouldn't stop until I had finished and my mom took me to the bookstore in Madison (big treat for me) to get books with my paycheck. Gifts might be nice, but knowing you earned something is the greatest feeling. I think getting to learn that feeling at a young age is a huge part of developing the way a person thinks, acts, and works as they grow up.
I say how a person thinks, acts, and works on purpose. I'm not saying if you don't work as a kid/teen you are going to be a terrible worker when you grow up. I'm saying it can shape aspects of how you think and act. Because believe me, I don't think you have to punch a time clock to be a hard worker. Stay-at-home parents work very hard!
I hear the argument all the time that "you are only young once"....."you have your whole life to work, enjoy being a kid"....or "you can't have a job and play sports, so play the sports." Why not? Like I said...I still got to go to the beach/be a kid. It just wasn't all day every day. It was a here and there and I still got to make summer vacation memories. I was also a cheerleader in high school and still held down several jobs, good grades, and a social life. Learning a work ethic and appreciation for where money comes from is just as valuable (if not more valuable) than "just being a kid."
Not trying to stir any pots here, just expressing my thoughts on how valuable I think working at a young age can be for kids. Maybe it's not even an "actual job"... maybe it's helping out parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc.. whatever it is, I think there is deep value in kids doing more than "being a kid." And of course there are always exceptions to the rule; there's always people who didn't work or have responsibilities as kids or teens and turn out to be amazing people, great workers, value work ethic, and not be entitled as adults!
Thanks for another week of orders and thanks for reading my winded opinion piece!
Sure this is a business blog...but it's still a blog. So I like to switch things up sometimes! I think writing about various topics also helps my customers get to know me a bit. Which is why I decided to do a bit of an opinion style post this week.
I think it's pretty fair (and obvious) that there is a major difference in working style and ethic starting in my generation and going down (or younger). Or maybe you'd prefer if I say there's major entitlement issues in the younger generations? Mine included. Now I'm no researcher or expert here, but I can't help but think that part of the problem is that the younger generation no longer has working as a priority.
Whether it's their own choosing, or their parents'....working just doesn't seem like a priority. Yet everyone still wants money and objects. So how does that work? Everyone just wants things handed to them or expects things to come easily. I have worked ever since I was 13. I started out working for my parents and have added and subtracted jobs as the years go on...usually holding down more than one job at a time. And I still do! Granted, I'm hardly ever at my parents' company anymore, but I do what I can while still making my own business my priority. (Running your business can feel like 4 jobs!)
Don't get me wrong....when all my friends were at the beach and I was going to work in the factory I wasn't always thrilled about it. I even threw some bratty teenage fits about it. But instead of just letting me do what I wanted all the time, my parents put me to work in order to get things I wanted. If I worked a certain amount I would get a day to go to the beach with friends or a trip to the store to spend my paycheck. But I had to earn it.
Now, I couldn't be more grateful to my parents for doing this. They have a work ethic most people could only dream of having, and I hope others can see their ways rubbed off on me. I will never forget the way it felt to buy my very first ipod (the ones that were like big bricks) with my paycheck. I don't use it anymore, but I can't make myself get rid of it because of that memory. Or the time I was determined to finish packing a certain amount of product and wouldn't stop until I had finished and my mom took me to the bookstore in Madison (big treat for me) to get books with my paycheck. Gifts might be nice, but knowing you earned something is the greatest feeling. I think getting to learn that feeling at a young age is a huge part of developing the way a person thinks, acts, and works as they grow up.
I say how a person thinks, acts, and works on purpose. I'm not saying if you don't work as a kid/teen you are going to be a terrible worker when you grow up. I'm saying it can shape aspects of how you think and act. Because believe me, I don't think you have to punch a time clock to be a hard worker. Stay-at-home parents work very hard!
I hear the argument all the time that "you are only young once"....."you have your whole life to work, enjoy being a kid"....or "you can't have a job and play sports, so play the sports." Why not? Like I said...I still got to go to the beach/be a kid. It just wasn't all day every day. It was a here and there and I still got to make summer vacation memories. I was also a cheerleader in high school and still held down several jobs, good grades, and a social life. Learning a work ethic and appreciation for where money comes from is just as valuable (if not more valuable) than "just being a kid."
Not trying to stir any pots here, just expressing my thoughts on how valuable I think working at a young age can be for kids. Maybe it's not even an "actual job"... maybe it's helping out parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc.. whatever it is, I think there is deep value in kids doing more than "being a kid." And of course there are always exceptions to the rule; there's always people who didn't work or have responsibilities as kids or teens and turn out to be amazing people, great workers, value work ethic, and not be entitled as adults!
Thanks for another week of orders and thanks for reading my winded opinion piece!
The people who taught me best: my parents! Photo by Kelsey Jean Photography
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