You are not amazing. Life isn't fair. And there's no such thing as a job that is "beneath you". Picture: Paramount
HIGH school students around the country have finished school forever and are in blissful Schoolies mode.
The reality of the impending results in just a couple of weeks' time means parents need to consider how best to prepare their darlings for heading out into the real world.
That means teaching them a few harsh lessons they never learnt at school.
And these lessons aren't just for school leavers - most young people could benefit from a healthy reality check.
Leading social researcher, youth trends expert and best-selling author, Michael McQueen says: "The world can seem like a huge disappointment to young Gen Ys fresh out of high school. This can have massive implications on their mental health, self-esteem and overall performance at uni or work."
Mr McQueen believes Gen Ys have been brought up to believe that the world is meant to be easy, fair and exciting and although this outlook is not all bad, it can set them up for failure once they step outside the comfort school zone.
McQueen says the following are the 5 critical truths Gen Ys need to hear:
1. Sometimes there is a loser
While every runner in the race at school may have received a ribbon, life simply doesn't operate the same way. Sometimes there are losers. Sometimes you don't get the job. Sometimes you will face disappointment and even constructive criticism. It's not that your boss (or the universe) is ganging up on you. Failure is simply an opportunity to get better not bitter. Learn from it without getting resentful or defensive.
2. Just because it's hard, doesn't mean it is wrong
Unlike your parents who were raised being told that life was never meant to be easy, you have been taught the very opposite - that if life isn't easy, then something is wrong.
Relationship gets hard? Wrong person. Subject at TAFE/Uni is difficult? Wrong course. Job gets tough? Wrong career path. The problem with this is that every worthwhile pursuit starts off being difficult. Mastery however lies on the other side of hardship.
It is in the challenges that your capacity is increased, your character will be forged and your resilience is strengthened. Sometimes life is hard and that's OK. Your grandparents were right - what doesn't kill you will truly make you stronger.
3. There is no such thing as a job that's 'beneath you'
Your Baby Boomer parents had the best of intentions in setting you up to have "all the things they never had". You have been raised to believe that you deserve the best and that's not a bad thing. Don't be fooled though: you're not entitled to the best - just the opportunity to attain it.
Starting at the bottom is not beneath you. Menial work is not just a necessary function of our economy but also a rite of passage most us need to go through. So brace yourself for the reality that you probably won't start out in middle management. Your first job may not be an experience of self-actualising bliss, and you may not earn more than $30,000 in your first year. Every ladder has a first rung for a reason - start there.
4. Your attitude matters more than your academic results
Contrary to all that your well-meaning and hardworking teachers have told you, the rest of life will not hinge on exam results and tertiary entrance rankings. Sure, good marks give you options and make your parents proud, but in the real world attitude counts for everything.
The good news is that employers will quickly overlook the poorest academic results if they see you are hardworking, teachable, reliable and just plain-old polite.
5. Your inexperience is your greatest asset
While every job you apply for will say you need experience, remember it is your inexperience that is actually your greatest asset.
You are entering a world where organisations and people are often operating on autopilot. Your fresh eyes and un-blinkered perspective can be the greatest source of innovation and creativity for your future employers. You will have a unique ability to offer an out-of-the-box perspective simply because you don't know what the box even looks like just yet. This is powerful.
Ask questions. Challenge the status quo. But remember, do this with humility and a willingness to learn and you'll earn huge respect from those around you.
It is vital that parents take the time to discuss these key learnings with their young Gen Y kids who are about to embark on their professional career path. They'll thank you for it one day.
SOURCE:NEWS
0 comments:
Post a Comment