What we can learn from Gen Y.

I’m Generation X, our kind are pre-programmed to think ill of Gen Y. It must be some kind of fight or flight survival instinct or something. Either that, or because Gen Y are whinging brats who really should move out of home and discover the joys of living on 2 minute noodles and such. But I digress…..

Generation X’ers can learn a thing or two from Gen Y, if we choose to stop being judge-y for a little bit. (it’s hard though, because we’re good at it)

The biggest thing we can learn from Gen Y is belief in ourselves.
Generation Y back themselves 100%.
Ask them if they know how to do something and they’ll tell you they’re an expert, even if they only heard of whatever it was yesterday. Talk a Gen Y person who’s been in a job for a year and they will firmly believe they should be in management because they know everything. Gen Y don’t think they need to go to new software training, because they’re Gen Y and they just know it.

More than likely the belief comes from parents telling them they’re amazing and brilliant at everything they do. The consequence being Gen Y believe they’re amazing and brilliant at everything they do. Regardless of whether they are or not.

Gen X could do with a dose of this attitude. We think if you don’t have a string of qualifications and years’ of experience you’re not good enough. We place too much emphasis on what others think of us, instead of what we think of ourselves, and becasue we like to judge, we don’t see that we can learn from Gen Y.

I’ve recently become a part time swimming teacher. It’s a profession dominated by the youth. I’d guess most teachers are between 17 and 22. I’m older than 17 and 22 put together but the people I work with are generous with their time, in teaching me tricks of the trade. They have confidence and belief in themselves that sees them completely comfortable teaching 6 year olds how to swim in deep water, meanwhile I was a nervous wreck for weeks when I got my own classes. Most of all, I’ve noticed the Gen Y’s who are teaching me, are not at all judge-y. I don’t know what they say about me when I’m not there, and frankly it’s none of my business, but it is impressive to work with people who are professional, generous with time and advice and confident in their ability. Something we Gen X’ers could be better at.

Pania

Single Serve in a Bulk Buying World.

I live by myself in a one bedroom flat. As far as one bedroom flats go, it’s quite large, but nevertheless it’s a one bedroom flat with the appropriate amount of storage and space for a single occupant and her assorted possessions.

What this means is, my storage situation is not conducive to going to Costco and buying 100 toilet rolls to get a great deal. That’s ok, I’m down with it, if I had a hundred toilet rolls I’d have to allocate space for them, I’d have to use them as chairs and a weird shrinking installation art piece or something.

The easy fix is not going to bulk buying stores, even if it means missing out on seeing cereal boxes bigger than my fridge, and cheese wheels as big as the ones on my bike. While that is a shame, my living situation means I’m a single serve girl and my local stores cater for that… Or so I thought.

When I went to the supermarket last week, the smallest number of toilet rolls I could buy was a 12 pack. Twelve! One dozen toilet rolls! In my aforementioned one bedroom flat, all of the storage space is allocated. If I put 12 toilet rolls in the loo, guests will think I have a problem, if they can get through the door with all the toilet rolls in the way that is.

I know it appears that everyone wants bigger, better, more, but there are some of us, quite a few that I know, who could do with less thanks. A good old fashioned 4 pack of loo paper is fine. A half loaf of bread would be great too, and much as I quite like it, I have no need for a king size block of chocolate in my life, no matter how tasty it is.

Pania