May 08
Generation Y: Do They Know the Value of Reflection?
I have been struck during the past couple of weeks by the number of those under 25 who seem to be in a constant state of multi-channeling. You know, cell-phone, iPod, TV, and reading a textbook all at the same time. Maybe it’s that time of the year, what with the end of school coming. At the same time, I hear constantly from teachers, managers and even some parents about how the members of this generation struggle to make even simple decisions sometimes. One teacher mentioned a student who, when faced with which elective to choose, seemed to just stare into space apprehensively rather than making the decision. Then there’s the manager who approached me after a seminar last week to tell me about the young professionals she supervises who appear to avoid making day-to-day decisions without seeking her help and approval.
Sure, there are those who appear have their acts together 24/7. They’re planning their work and working their plan. But I have wondered how many are uncomfortable commiting to things simply because they don’t take the time to get quiet, contemplate their options, and clear their heads.
I seem to learn so much more about myself, my decisions, my options, my opportunities when I turn off all the distrations and simply let my mind wander from place to place. I know many other colleagues who believe the same thing. Maybe it’s just a sign of maturity that we are willing to take the time. I certainly didn’t take as much time to reflect in my twenties as I do in my fifties. On the other hand, this generation has come of age in such a proactive, stress-filled, faced-paced, non-stop environment. I wonder if their habits of being in constant doing mode makes them uncomfortable with the silence it takes to reflect and contemplate. Maybe some of them are afraid to do it.
Now the left-brainers might be thinking, “What’s your point? I haven’t got time to read something that doesn’t offer a solution. I’ve got things to do, places to go, people to see.” But that is exactly the point. Take 15 minutes today and do nothing, watch nothing, listen to nothing, talk to no one. Go ahead. I dare you. Tomorrow try for 30 minutes. Then start doing it everyday. No exceptions, no excuses. I double-dare you.
Whether we want to admit it, we are all modeling behavior for the emerging generation. If we’re stressed, they’ll accept stress as a part of life. If we multi-task to the exclusion of family and friends, they will think it’s okay. If we are so busy we don’t have time to think, they will emulate our behavior. Look around. You’ll see what I mean. Good decisions do not come from menu-driven options. They come from good thinking and good thinking takes time.
So what do you think?
May 10th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I’ve often wondered about this myself. My younger staff members tell me that they can reflect while listing to music and chatting. I don’t know if they realize the value of self reflection with minimal distractions. As a late baby boomer, I grew up with the first of the “open concept” educational systems of the late Sixties and early Seventies. I can concentrate in louder environments as a result of having to take a geography exam while the students less than 3 feet away from from me were dissecting cats (true story). My mother, on the other hand, wants complete silence when she works. I prefer quiet, but I think that each generation is learning to selectively block out noises that the previous generation finds too distracting.
It reminds of advanced meditation practitioners who say the are meditating 24 hours a day during their normal activities, while I struggle with keeping my mind at bay with complete silence for even 10 minutes.
Karen
May 12th, 2008 at 9:40 am
This topic is interesting as I heard a sermon yesterday about the same thing, only pointing out that if we become so blinded to one thing and don’t take time for other relaxing things, we miss the opportunity of being with our family. Good topic.