Entitled

Entitled.

That is how every generation before us was described, and it is how we are described today.

Many would argue that because each generation is given that label that there is something inherently incorrect about it. However, there is a stark difference between the age of our parents and our’s, one that is even greater than the difference between our parents and grandparents.

Instant gratification.

Constant communication.

Constant communication that instantly gratifies our desires is what separates us from our parents. We live in a world where our entire life is shared within miliseconds. Something as small as a tweet can destroy our reputation. A hashtag can define an entire movement.

We live in a world where we think that a simple text message or a hashtag can make something better.

#blacklivesmatter

#makeamericagreatagain

#lovewins

#ALLlivesmatter

#Kony2012

All of these hashtags mean nothing if action is not attached to them. Regardless of your stance, you have to admit that these hashtags, and numerous others are just another way to instantly gratify ourselves.

We feel entitled to share our opinion, as if that allows us to join the cause.

Instead of taking action, we choose to hide behind a perfectly made platform that we think matters. We spend hours of our day scrolling through the perfect lives of everyone else, pretending that we are part of something greater.

The age of social media, the time of the millenials, is the first time where we do not have to do anything in order to be connected. We can lay in bed and have everything come to us. And as we sit in our beds, growing more and more depressed by the days, we pretend that all of these constantly gratifying communications make a difference, improve our lives, or help someone else.

We call each other friends, but we do not spend time with one another.

We spend time with a cleverly crafted set of 1’s and 0’s that make up their profile picture.

All of that changes when we enter the workplace.

At work, there is not a source of instant gratification. There is not a button to press, text to send, message to deliver, or status to post that will take our project to the next level. Regardless of the style of work we do, we will always have to spend time learning how to do the job, fail constantly, and eventually we will do something of value for our employers.

It takes time to do good work. Taking our time never really stood out to our generation. It just does not make sense with the way of life we have become accustomed to. We were told if we do one thing, then another thing will happen right away.

Do the ten day diet, and you will be beautiful.

Drink with that group, and you will become popular.

Play on the soccer team, and you will get a trophy.

With our constant need to be satisfied, we choose to give up real rewards. We choose to do the quick and easy things, and at the end of the day, we are left with the scraps of what we could have had if we chose to work hard.

We do not wait our turn.

There are so many stories of medical students, first year graduate students, and interns at large companies that either are let go or quit because of their impatience. What these groups all have in common is that they have to sit back, watch those who came before them, and accept that they will have to do a lot of grunt work before they can do anything.

It is not an insult.

We are not ready.

We have to work.

So when your boss gives you a lame assignment, or if you find yourself with nothing to do, take some time to reflect on how you utilize the substantial amount of time you are given. 

Are you working on what you are given? Are you grateful that you even have a position? Are  you trying to be the best employee you can be?

Are you taking the time to do what needs to be done?

Or are you complaining about not doing what you want to do?

As a millenial, we can choose to complain about the cards we are dealt in the real world, or we can rise to the occassion and find it in ourselves to do the jobs we are given.The failures we experience, the trials we face, the lessons we learn, these are the things that our peers that choose to complain will not have. 

All of the experience that we can put on our resume simply by showing up to work makes a difference. Whether it be more bullet points on the paper, or by how we carry ourselves in an interview, the choice to work hard through the unsatisfying mud that we call life will make us stand out in the crowd. 

Sure, you’ll be gross looking, but at least everyone will know who can get the job done.

So when your boss says, “you may not like this,” respond with, “I can do it.”

The smile you’ll see on their face is all of the instant gratification you need.

We just need to learn that the instant gratification we participate in has nothing to do with ourselves, but everything to do with those around us. We update our social media accounts to instantly let the world know who we are. While we may think that our profiles are for ourselves, we live in a world focused almost entirely on give others what they want, or at least what we think they want.

Why not let our work do the same?

After all, if our Instagram can create a positive image over time, couldn't our work create something greater as well?

Let's let our work show who we are: talented and worthy individuals who will do great things.

“My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose- somehow we win out.” Ronald Reagan.

Let's get to work friends.