“Millennials have their own individuality and don’t have to fit into any mold” – that was my response/tweet on the recent #MillennialTalk. The question went something like this: How can 20somethings thrive at work when there are negative millennial stereotypes within the culture?
First, I had to ask myself: what are the negative stereotypes associated with millennials? What are these adjectives assigned only to those born between 1981 and 1997?
From the online talk and other research, I gathered that millennials supposedly (just to name a few):
· feel entitled
· are not loyal, so they job-hop
· are unable to obtain good paying jobs because they have “dues” to pay
· are high maintenance & break under criticism, always needing a reward
But, is it possible that millennials have bought into a bunch of lies about themselves? Perhaps “yes”, according to Paul Angone – who participated in this online talk -- and shared from his book 21 of the 101 Secrets for your Twenties. And, Angone’s newest book (All Groan Up, Searching for self, faith, and a freaking job) is his story. It explores challenges millennials are facing as they try to grow up in spite of all the things being said to them and about them.
As I participated in the #MillennialTalk, it became clear to me that everyone - especially the millennials - would benefit by challenging these negative beliefs! Couldn’t the clichés/stereotypes (with their potential limitations) be replaced with positive views of their own individuality?
When I want to think deeply and commune with God about a sticky subject – like this one – I often turn to the Bible for clarity. I also search the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.
Here’s what I found this time.
The Scriptures reveal the essence of man and woman - regardless of the year we are born - to be entirely spiritual. Instead of being lumped together with stereotyped qualities, each of us has a true individuality as the image and likeness of Spirit. Eddy emphasizes this in Science and Health when she says, “Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God.”
So, if God’s qualities are infinite, how can millennials be limited by stereotypes? They can’t be.
I remember a time when I didn’t buy into the oversimplified & widely held images attached to my own age - “teenager”…I started working when I was barely 16. Because my grades were so good, I had planned to graduate a year early and start college. So, in the middle of my Junior year, I applied for an office job at the local paper company. I started out in the order department for a couple hours each day after school. Before long, school was out and I was available to work full-time that summer. I loved my job. And I was so good at it, that I was promoted to the Advertising Dept., with my very own desk.
And, looking back, it was evident that only a couple of people even realized how young I was. Could that be because I was not identifying with the stereotypes typically attached to someone so young? Probably. I was a firm believer that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV, Phil 4:13) and that was evidenced in the fact that, despite my youth, I was very successful and continued to work there for many years.
Interestingly, while on the #MillennialTalk, I was reminded of that experience as a young worker and I made a final comment before leaving the online discussion - “Trust in a “higher power” in my 20s helped me be successful then and continues now.”
I’m sure that when millennials see themselves as expressing God’s nature – not some stereotype - and possessing the spiritual intuition necessary to thrive at work, they will!
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Debra writes about the connection between thought, spirituality and wellness from a Christian Science perspective. She has been published in the chattanoogan.com, The Jackson Sun, UK Health Triangle Magazine, Jackson Sun Health Magazine, and in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. She is the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Tennessee.