You are smart, versatile, and mobile. And yet the most misunderstood and under rated generation of our time. Business Insider just published an article “6 Quotes that Prove Millennials are Simply Terrible Employees”, suggesting that crappy employees are only young employees.

 

What a farce!

 

Crappy employees come in all ages. But this type of discrimination is only one of the obstacles you are facing as you head out into the “real world”.

 

Your Baby Boomer and Gen X parents prepared you to be the most advantaged generation, ensuring you had the confidence and competence you needed to succeed. Unfortunately, while you were plugging away in school all those years, “the grown ups” took their eyes off the road and left you with an economy and job market that is on life support.

 

A recent Bloomberg News Report tell us that,“the average incomes for individuals ages 25 to 34 have fallen 8 percent…[while] the unemployment rate remains at .5 to 1 %”.

 

Not only do Millennials have fewer opportunities, but you are also earning less for formerly higher paid positions.

 

So what do you do when the bright future you were promised now seems bleak?

 

 

Get into Survival Mode!

 

Some of you are doing what you can to survive. I hear and read stories about the different tactics being taken to survive everyday.

 

I HATE MY JOB

Waiting tables? Slinging coffee? Making copies? Some of you are taking that minimum wage job that you know won’t lead to a career just to make ends meet. You are feeling stuck in a job you hate, frustrated and uncertain about your future.

 

HI MOM

Moving back home makes sense, right? You can cut down on your costs and save some money until you have a plan. BEWARE: Home can be a trap, an endless abyss of comfort and frustration, if you stay too long and don’t do it right.

 

Want to make it work to your advantage? Here are 6 things you must do.

 

GIVE UP

It tears me up inside when I get emails and phone calls from those of you who have lost hope. Trying to remain optimistic when your goals and passions seem so far off into the distance is hard, but possible.

 

PLEASE DON’T GIVE UP HOPE.

 

But some of you are thriving!

 

Some of you have been able to thrive, using your creativity, ingenuity, and versatility. Many of you are starting internships or great entry level positions in organizations you believe in, or even started your own business. Whichever it is, you have found a path to feeling fulfilled with what you are doing and are excited about your future.

 

Wait…all of you are creative, ingenious, and versatile. So what’s the difference between those who survive and those who thrive? 

 

NOT MUCH!

 

If you are in survival mode or afraid of just surviving, you only need 3 things to thrive:

 

#1. Know what you want

 

Sometimes we think we know what we want, but upon closer examination it gets a little fuzzy. Because I’m not talking about the job you thought you wanted, or the one your parents want for you, or not even the one you studied for in university.

 

I’m talking about the one where you feel silly when they give you a paycheck because you love it so much.

 

You have got to take the time to explore your values, beliefs, and passions. Figure out what you really want to achieve while you are here on this planet and let go of all the preconceived ideas you have about a “good job” or the “right career”.

 

#2. Make a plan

 

When you know what you want you then need to create the path that will take you to where you want to be. You can’t start at the destination, no one does.

 

One of my favorite quotes you may have read here before is by Lewis Carroll:

 

If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.

 

To have a career that is fulfilling and meaningful you have to lay out a clear path, step by step. And the journey should be as exciting and satisfying as the destination.

 

#3. Take action

 

A plan is only as good at actions you take to realize it!

 

A good plan has SMART goals and milestones. You create measures and markers that you hold yourself accountable and to celebrate your achievements.

 

 

The Cycle of Success

These three steps make up the Cycle of Success, it is a strategy that has proven to yield the results you are looking for time and time again.

 

Learn more about the Cycle of Success in this FREE Online Training “Today’s Tough Job Market: Will you survive or thrive?”  on our Facebook page.

 

It sounds simple! But it isn’t always so easy to figure out on your own.

 

Good news, you don’t have to go it alone. I help young up and coming professionals discover what they want to do and how to translate it into the job or career where they feel happy and passionate, and are making a difference.

 

Ready to get unstuck and thrive?

 

Attend the Survive or Thrive Online Training Series and start THRIVING today. It’s a small investment and short term commitment for a very large and long term return.

 

Want 1:1 support and guidance? Complete the Free Coaching Assessment. It’s FREE and LIMITED to the first 5 potential learners. Go NOW!