28/ 52 Humans in the Age of Digital: Keep calm, Millennials and Carry on

There is a common pattern among high-achievers in my generation (Millennials aged now 25-40).

Many of us pursue multi-hyphen careers.

In other words, we engage in various projects or even several jobs that require diverse skills. Our working schedules go well beyond 7am-3pm or 9am-5pm.

Taking some rest is a sign of weakness. In the mindset of many people: the traditional 8-hour schedule belongs to the past: the era of capitalism or socialism in the 1970s or 1980s (depending where you live).

What makes the situation particularly bleak is Millennials’ challenge to disconnect: how can we set boundaries or take a break?

Thanks to globalization and the availability of technology we can ship our work at any time and from any location. Yet this freedom feels like slavery to some if they continue working beyond their healthy boundaries. One can march proudly towards burnout without noticing in this day and age.  

Secondly, many incredibly smart and accomplished Millennials in their prime work insanely because they simply feel... inadequate. You wonder why? Here are some reasons:

1)     They have made fantastic breakthroughs although their background and beginnings very humble. They continue working non-stop to keep themselves on top as if the initial danger still existed. Think of all the young, brilliant people who grew up with immigration, poverty, war or challenging family circumstances.

2)     The tempo of many corporate and startup cultures is destructive and some Millennials embrace it open-heartedly. If you are not busy (all the time), you are not successful.

The pressure to deliver high-level work is always on thanks to company policy and thanks to market conditions. Also, many Millennials feel that if they get unemployed, the burden will be unbearable for them.

We need to figure out the game of achieving prosperity in less predictable market conditions than generations before us did.  

3)  Likewise, as Millennials, we live in the world of constant comparison both on social media and in reality.

Unless we have a clear vision how to design our own life, we may be allured to buy into the photo-shopped versions of other people’s lives. Digital detox and more authenticity on social media is a way to go so that each of us preserve his/her creative spark and resilient drive. 

4)     And the final reason why Millennials in their prime may feel inadequate or may work crazy hours is because they have something NEW to prove.

For many of us, there comes a moment in our life story when we say to ourselves, ‘‘If I do not try to make this happen, I will not be able to forgive myself ... 20 or 30 years from now.’’

Because of all these reasons, many phenomenal Millennials face: lack of focus, lack of resources to protect and nurture their mental health, and high probability of burnout.

 Self-development is an area where I generously invest my time, knowing that ROI will be multiple: I build my resilience eventually; I design my life according to my needs and values and I also choose for myself from the place of love, instead of fear. 

Certainly, I have invested at least 10,000 hours in my personal development during my free time over the last several years.

After a lot of reading, experimentation, exercises, healing, guided practice, mentorship and conversations with mental health professionals, I have reached some conclusions:

The best gifts we can provide to ourselves, even when our schedule is beyond human capacity, is to stay in the present moment, to remain resilient and to make smart breaks. 

It does not get simpler than that. And it works every single time.

Take a break. Shut down your lap top. Set your phone to the airline mode. There is tomorrow to look again at your work with clear eyes and focused brain.

To conclude, I want to ask you several questions. They do not require your answer; just say them to yourself:

·       Why are you thinking so much, i.e. overthinking?

·       Would it be better if you invested a bit of time into feeling?

·       Why do you keep overwhelming yourself?

·       Why do you mindlessly scroll in search for a quick fix? Be that a new opportunity, connection, hobby, relationship, career path?

Remember, your best creative work and the time of your life with the beloved ones will not happen when you are under pressure, when you over-analyze and ruminate.

The rules of the game have stayed the same although the technology has changed. And you know that too well, but you are reluctant to say it aloud. Well, I'll say it for all of us looking each other in the eyes over the screen or in person. 

Anything worth living for takes incredible amount of time: to understand it, to master it, to integrate it, to build alliances, to solve the risk, to build processes, to clean the mess, and to accept what cannot be changed.

You do not find the solution on your social media feed and then you are fine.

Your moments of glory and breakthroughs happen when you are in the state of flow. And although every single detail matter, give yourself permission to make mistakes. Because you do not learn and expand when you swim in the sea of the familiar.

Dear Millennials, remain calm although life is uncertain; remain yourself and continue to build the best version of yourself.