Gen Y Gives Thanks: Not always getting what we want

Gen Y'ers realize not getting what you want, exactly 
when you want it is a reason to be grateful.
(Photo: Photoxpress.com)

The Trophy Generation. Yet another nickname to describe Generation Y.

This label was derived from the abundant praise Gen Y’ers received from their parents and the trend during their childhood to reward everyone, not just the winning team. As a result, the general consensus is Gen Y’ers impatiently expect to get their way all the time and will throw a fit when they don’t.

That’s not always the case.

Gen Y’ers like Mehnaz Thawer, a 27 year-old international developer and writer from Vancouver, British Columbia, gladly work for what they want and are grateful to patiently wait to see the fruits of their labors.

“I would say that generally, I am fairly driven. I work hard to get what I want. This year has been an exercise in patience. Things are slow going for the most part and I have largely played the waiting game all year in my work and personal goals. On my better days, it has given me clarity. On my worst ones, a nervous breakdown. I am, however, grateful for these lessons in patience. They teach me I’m not always in control and sometimes that’s okay. Sometimes you get to hang back and watch life work for you, even if you don’t completely fathom what's going on. The reams of time I have dedicated to my waiting game have given me space to evaluate what I really want out of life, what my next steps are and how I might achieve these goals. I’ll keep working to get what I want. It’ll come. Eventually.”

When Albert Ciuksza, Jr., a 28-year old market researcher and entrepreneur from Pittsburgh, realized his plans weren’t going as expected for a start-up he helped found, he didn’t throw a fit. He didn’t flounder or wring his hands, not knowing how to proceed. He evaluated the situation, learned from it, made new plans and now is even grateful for the experience.

“I am most thankful for the opportunity to spend 2009 learning from difficult experiences while still remaining gainfully employed. Unlike some people had who to dig deep to survive a terrible economy, I was truly blessed with the chance to re-evaluate my life and career goals in an environment that helped me to make smart decisions, including two decisions that had a tremendous impact on me this year. First, I walked away from a start-up company I helped found, as well as an incredibly close mentor relationship with the CEO because of fundamental differences in values. Second, after years of debate, I started at the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh for my MBA. Overall, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to learn tough lessons while setting my sights on what the future might bring.”

Thawer and Ciuksza are learning to roll with the punches right now and are enjoying the ride. To read more about Thawer’s journey, click here; for Ciuksza’s, click here. 

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