Gen Y Gives Thanks: Challenging the norm

Gen Y'ers are perfectly comfortable challenging the
norm, but are grateful when others do the same.
(Photo: Photoxpress.com)

As a general rule, Gen Y’ers don’t usually accept “that’s just how we’ve always done things” as a legitimate reason to keep a process or procedure in place. They usually don’t have a problem challenging an established practice. Yet, it isn’t arrogance driving this persistence, it is more of a tendency and appreciation for seeing things a different way.

Melissa Kong, 23, an assistant brand manager in New York City, is grateful she learned to challenge assumptions and uncovered many opportunities as a result.

“I'm thankful for the people in my life who encourage me to challenge the assumptions. I am learning that it is nearly impossible not to view life through the lens of personally acquired assumptions, and that isn't always bad. After all, they can save us time and help us make savvy decisions when we are inundated with choice. But the presence of assumptions means the absence of opportunities that lie outside our limited understanding of the world.

I'm thankful for the people who encourage me to challenge everything- from the simplest decisions to my most deeply seeded values and beliefs. The direct result of having them in my life has been an increased understanding and appreciation of others' assumptions, and the ability to see beyond my own.“

Tara Joyce, a 28 year-old writer and Web coach in Toronto, Ontario, says she is grateful for the people who believe in what can be, not merely what is.

“I am grateful that a change in consciousness is occurring in society, that the accepted rules of business and life are being challenged and that new ways of thinking are being embraced and cultivated. I smile each time I see someone casting aside the chains of our society's ‘shoulds’ to explore what they intuitively feel is right. I rejoice at the shift occurring in our economy towards supporting businesses that generate profit from sharing their craft, improving their community and establishing authentic connections with their clients. I am grateful for each person who is shaping the world for the better by seeing what can be, not what is.”

Gen Y’ers like Kong and Joyce are not just comfortable provoking change, they are genuinely grateful when others look upon change as a positive thing too.

Read more about how they are challenging the norms. Catch Kong’s blog, "The Sweet Sundays” and Joyce’s "The Rise of the Innerprenuer." 

For more on “Gen Y Gives Thanks”: Click here to read how the series got started and here to read all “Gen Y Gives Thanks” related articles. Join the #GenYGivesThanks conversation on Twitter and check out what the participants in the series are tweeting about with my GenYGivesThanks Twitter list.