You hear people all the time comparing how hard it Is to grow up 20 years ago to now. Without a doubt, we have all been a part of a conversation where someone used the classic line of “Back in my day” as a way of asserting a form of superiority like they’re such a warrior for growing up in the ’50s. Now do not get me wrong, life was tough back then. I would not know of course, but I have been told many times and I don’t discredit it at all. But I cannot stand, that the people who love to tell you how hard they had it growing up, are the same people that have a crack at “us” (The modern generation) for finding our modern environment tough. These people are just stuck within the confines of the notion that “it’s their way or the highway”. But I believe that everything in life is relative. What you may be hurt by, I may not. What I find offensive, you may not. That does not mean that it is not hurtful or offensive. It just means that we see things a different way.

Now, what I wanted to talk about is our current economic environment and the viewpoint from a millennial starting out. I am not for or against the old ways of doing things, whatever it may be. Tried and true methods of completing a task have a proven record of success, they cannot be discredited. I am also not for always following along with the newest trend. Yes, new and emerging ways of doing things are extremely exciting, they’re brilliant really. But the downside of such a competitive environment to be the next big thing is that quite a lot of the time the new way of doing something just becomes a band-aid solution. I have a theory, that the majority of new businesses – especially those in the technology industry – are built from the ground up with the sole purpose of being great now. The long-term prospect of a new startup is overshadowed by the need for results now. I think this is a major issue.

Just remember, these are merely my opinions and have been formed off the back of 20 years of existence. I have probably spent more hours watching television than I have spent working professionally. But I still think it is a perspective worth considering. Nowadays everyone is about now, now now!!! I want things now. People expect you to just drop everything to come to their beck and call and help them because they need your help. I don’t remember a hell of a lot from high school, I choose to forget a lot of it. I don’t know who said it, but this quote has always stuck with me, “The enemy of quality is convenience & speed”. This is exactly what I’m talking referring to above. The majority of people are just looking for speed. I want money now. I want this done now. I need that now. The issue with the word “now” is it comes with connotations of pressure. No matter who you are, you always sacrifice a bit of quality when you are under pressure.

It’s also worth noting that pressure is also a good thing because sometimes things only need to be good enough, not perfect. Perfection is the winning prize to a game with no end. We’ll never get it. Back to my point, the prevalence of the word “Now” in the modern-day environment is sure to cause issues. I am sure of it. The average modern-day individual is so hellbent on instant gratification that red flags are missed. Worrying signs are overlooked because the thought pattern of “I want things now” overpowers the senses. The easiest way to think of it is like this. If you had the option of $100,000 paid to you today or $300,000 paid to you in 5 years, which option would you take? I know the majority of modern-day individuals would take the $100k now, hell I know I want to. But logic would tell you waiting 5 years is a much better bet. Just something to consider from a modern-day millennial.

Written for you by Baylee Jones