The Millennial Chase
I am in the group of people who were first born into the Millennial generation (Early 80's-Late 90's). The people who might or might not have had a cell phone in high school but were taught computer basics in middle school. I definitely identify with the good and the bad we tend to possess. So let's talk about the bad...
It didn't occur to me how the faults of Millennial behavior would affect my work/life balance until I was in my strong "adulting" years. Which for me is my thirties. Many successful people around me have been making this certain mistake and will continue until...well, they have a break down or major wake-up call in life. It's really simple, yet possesses a force that can drive away relationships, friendships and sometimes the real you.
I am not speaking of cell phone addiction or entitlement, I am talking about the chase for success or perfection without really knowing what that means to them. This can be very dangerous because those who do this will miss opportunities to fulfill what it means to succeed in the first place. With social media and "keeping up with the Joneses" in full force, your vision of success can be hard to see.
Depending on the environment you were raised in, you may or may not have an understanding of what success is to you. What are you willing to sacrifice? Is it a healthy definition? Who shaped the expectations for your success? These are all questions I would ask in a session. These aren't answers I would expect you to know immediately. They will need to be purely answered with time and evaluation. A podcast I listen to daily called Girlboss Radio asks every successful female entrepreneur they interview how they define success. This is my favorite part of the interview because everyone has a completely different answer. Most times they explain how they have come to this conclusion, which is even more interesting.
Recently, I have had to take a step back and absorb everything that I have accomplished, lost, and changed in my life. If we do not do this one simple exercise, we will miss out on life. We hit a goal and then move on to the next one. Our children hit a milestone and then we are on to the next one. As Millennials, we are so used to instant gratification and have placed pressure on ourselves to succeed. Whether its in the public eye or for our family we have a strong desire to "one-up" ourselves over and over again.
By now, you see where I am going with this. We need to be better at taking the time to chill. Not summer day at the lake with a beer in my hand chill. It is absorbing what we have accomplished, knowing are aspirations for ourselves personally and professionally, and then putting them into motion with healthy intentions.
This is a process and one that will give you great clarity. So, here are a few places to start.
Take a mental snapshot of the last 5 years. If you can remember, don't worry, your Facebook or phone pictures can help you with that. Where did you go, what have you accomplished, what changes have been made in your life both good and bad?
Who or what inspires or influences you?
At this very moment how do you define success?
Who do you count on for guidance or a listening ear?
What do you want your life to look like in the next 5 years? (goals, relationships, travel, career, family)
After these questions are answered, the real deep dive begins. It's also when my job as a life coach can help you through your journey to being more present while achieving your goals.