I think that we are finally at a point in our lifetime, when we are seeing more wisdom coming from the younger generations than we had ever imagined. Are the Millennials that much more sophisticated than we were at that age? Has technology matured them faster, or distracted them and slowed them down? As a cognitive psychologist and friend put it, this entitled generation has, by very nature of staying at home longer, experienced brain development differently in their prefontal cortex, responsible for decision making and social interaction. It’s an area we continue to develop into our 20’s, and the Millennials have had the luxury of being late -bloomers due to the widely accepted fact that they are somehow connected to their parents longer.
Initially thought to be the self-serving generation, they seem to grasp how best to define and intersect technology with human interaction, and this has led to a more tethered behavior to their social networks, both for community and trusted referrals.
I was at Cornish today, facilitating a workshop for senior motion designers who are developing their BFA Thesis projects. We worked on some fast paced exercises, using question-theory to imagine their future and mapping action steps to community, as tools for moving their thinking forward. The ultimate goal was to mine their subconscious for elements of a larger goal or plan, and to help them set action steps once these goals were established.
From the student insights, it occurred to me how very wise these students are. They were willing to put a stake in the ground and define individual success without caving to societal pressures. They were very aware that the journey mattered more than the end goal. And they understood that making it meaningful, not just to themselves, but to a broader audience, was the lynchpin to success.
Kudos to this group. I think you are well on your way to carving out your own success.