Honestly, I feel a little bad for Millennials. You guys definitely get a bad rap from the Baby Boomer generation. When I was growing up my parents definitely had opinions about “the young people,” but not to the extreme that the Baby Boomer generation has towards Millennials. Especially with their attitudes towards your work ethic.
Do you remember the line in the movie Ever After when Danielle is confronting the Prince on how unfair the common people are treated…. her point is very relevant:
Danielle to Prince Henry: If you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners corrupted from infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded, Sire, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?
In other words:
If Baby Boomers don’t teach their children how to work, and this is all they have known their entire lives, and then they’re punished and criticized because they don’t have a strong work ethic, what else can be concluded except that the Baby Boomers coddle their children thereby creating lazy Millennials and then criticize them for it?
Enough of my soapbox. I just tire of hearing people criticize your generation for their lack of work ethic.
Nonetheless, work ethic is vitally important if you want to earn a living, gain respect, and thrive in society. I don’t know any successful people (regardless of how you define success) that don’t have a strong work ethic.
So, let’s talk about that. You might think that a strong work ethic means you are a hard worker – but actually it means much more than that.
Having a strong work ethic includes these elements:
1. Character/Reputation–
When you have good character, relationships come easily. Success is built upon relationships and life has meaning due to strong relationships. Character traits that build a good reputation are:
- Loyalty
- Reliability
- Self-discipline
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Responsibility
- Dependability
2. Attitude –
It’s very important to have a positive attitude. Someone who works hard but has a bad attitude will never attain their goals. You know those people who just work for the weekends?! They’re miserable! When you have a positive attitude you appear self-confident and work with well with others.
3. Communication –
How you interact with others, whether verbal or nonverbal, reflects your attitude towards them. Good communication is thoughtful, considerate, and respectful. Do you remember the bible verse we memorized when you were little? Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” You’re really good at this! I admire how you hold your tongue until you have something kind to say. That will benefit you greatly as you walk through life. However, communication also includes relaying information well. Something we can all work on!
4. Cooperation –
This involves developing good relationships, respecting authority, resolving conflict peacefully, and working well within a team. When you work well with others and submit to the authority around you, it seems counterintuitive, but even those in authority will listen to you respectfully. When you have suggestions, others will bend their ear to hear your ideas because they have a sense that you are on their side.
It’s interesting that most of us really don’t like hard work, yet we are deeply satisfied when we work hard at something and see the results. There’s a dichotomy in our human nature; rarely can we trust our human nature. What’s best for us (and brings fulfillment) rarely conforms to what we naturally desire. You’ve seen this time and time again!
Do you remember when you were about seven years old and I took you to Boomers where you attempted the climbing wall for the first time? You painstakingly and nervously scaled each step – forging higher and higher. I looked on with great admiration and respect as your legs begin to shake. I knew you were terrified but you pushed through your apprehension and made it to the top. I had never seen such determination in you! And how sweet the victory was when you rang the bell at the top! WooHoo!!!!!!! Mamma was proud!!!!!
I love those times when you resolve to accomplish a challenging goal… and how you hold your head a little higher and your back a little straighter when you’ve proven to yourself that you have what it takes!
Unfortunately, it is true that your generation as a whole lacks a strong work ethic. The flip side of that unfortunate statistic is that succeeding in the workplace shouldn’t be hard for you when you stand firm in what you know. Working hard yields awesome results! While others may seem to be “getting away” with not working hard and still getting by nicely…. don’t be fooled! A man reaps what he sows.
I’m proud of you, not just because you are a hard worker but because you exhibit great character which is the building block for strong relationships. You’ll be immensely successful as long as you keep your eye on the ball and realize that, no matter what, you are working for the Lord, not for man. No effort is lost when you set your sights on doing what’s right!
I love you dearly,
If you’d like to link up your blog articles – please do and be sure to visit other blogs along the way! That’s how we party!!
Michele Morin says
This is so wise.
It almost doesn’t matter how smart or talented our kids are if they never learn to apply themselves to a task.
Char says
Soooo true!! I meant to write that… But you said it! Thanks Michele!
Maree Dee says
I have found many times the “Millennials” have more balance when it comes to working. Baby boomers may know how to work, but they don’t always know when to stop. We too can learn from the Millenials.
Char says
I can definitely learn that lesson Maree!!!
Laurie says
I often think that the bad reputation enjoyed by Millennials is a product of the media. I taught high school for over 30 years, and I did not see lazy, entitled children as they are sometimes portrayed. I saw students who were involved in their community, polite, hard-working and responsible. I am a Baby Boomer who applauds Millennials for their character!
Char says
That’s refreshing Laurie!
nylse says
Life is not a formula. Work ethic is important, though.
I do not think millennials have a poor work ethic – so this may be a broad generalization. I do think they are more self-aware than we were at their ages and therefore approach many things differently. Because it looks different to Baby Boomers, millennials are negatively labeled and for my part I know I was not a parent that coddled. So have all the traits listed above, work hard (which looks different today than it does to BB) but most importantly commit it all to God.
Char says
So true Nylse – Life isn’t a formula and we have to be sensitive to that.
Ifeoma Samuel says
Lovely thoughts.
Thanks for sharing this. Saw the title in my inbox had to read through.
Hugs
Char says
Thanks! I’m so glad you stopped in!
Lisa notes says
You’re right that millennials get a bad reputation, often undeserved. I know many young people who are such hard workers! I am grateful for them. Thanks for this encouragement to them, Char.
Char says
Thanks Lisa!
Patricia says
Thank you for such a well written post – with valid points both in your post and comments section. Your letters will be treasured by your family for generations to come!
Char says
Thanks Patricia! Have a great week
Crystal Twaddell says
You are speaking my language!! I see this lack of work ethic in higher education with every new incoming class, and it seems to become more pronounced each year. But then there are those students who have been raised with a stellar work ethic, and it is those who set the example among their millennial peers and push them to grow in this area. I love your call toward compassion and understanding instead of a critical, judgmental spirit. Each generation has its gaps for growth.
Char says
We all do have gaps. I wonder what our generation’s was?!!
Donna Reidland says
Very good post, Char. It’s full of excellent advice for young people and all of us. Like every generation, there are those millennials who have a good work ethic and those who don’t. Perhaps the gap between the 2 is wider than in times past. There are probably lots of reasons, but I believe the biggest is the removal of God and His Word from our culture as a whole. When there is no longer a sense of accountability to Him we will always gravitate to our sin nature. And the millennials don’t have the market on that!