For the past few years I have been thinking a lot about my generation in the work place.
Well for starters, what is my generation? Generation "X" is considered to be those born in the 60s up to those born in the early 80s. Generation "Y" applies to those born in the late 80s up until the Millennium. I think the sample group I'm thinking about is generation "Y" along with the tail end of generation "X."
My senior year of college I had a discussion with a co-worker (I'm part of generation "Y" while he is the tail end of generation "X") about the different generations in the workforce through out the years. We talked about how our grandparents grew up in the time that you took whatever trade you were able to train in and you worked hard in it. Our parents grew up in the time to get the best job and education possible, the one that would make you the most possible money even if you didn't entirely enjoy it, and worked hard at the minimum 9am-5pm day schedule but not limited to it. Our discussion continued on to how our own generation wants more fulfillment in their careers; we want to love what we are doing and we want there to be purpose behind what we are giving up our time for. Some of our generation is willing to work hard others are not.
As the years have gone on I have found this discussion to be true and false. I've seen a mixture of workers, from my generation, in the work force who are still following their parent's exact footsteps, while others are taking on the theory of Generation Y, and lastly a mixture of both. I would have to say that I have found success in the workplace by working with the work ethics that have been taught to me by my parents; work hard, go above and beyond, do your best, etc. I have also found success by applying things that my dad has valued in his employees in his own business; ask what else you can help with, be friendly and professional, ask questions, be willing to learn new things, teach your co-workers your job so that if you were to "die" the office would not fall apart, etc.
BUT I still have the itch to LOVE what I'm doing. A career takes up a big chunk of your life and I still want to experience life. It's kind of like the saying, "You either live to work or you work to live." I only want to work so that I can live; see the world, serve others, have a family, create memories, etc.
I found an interesting article about how to motivate generation Y. I agree with somethings while disagree with others; well, I guess on how it applies to me. But as a whole, I can see this true to the average generation Y person.
15 Tips for Motivating Generation Y in the Workplace
I found it interesting how true some of the things were; a need for feedback, wanting to work as a team (When I first read this caption I thought, "No... I hate group projects," but as it went on, it talked about how we like to throw out our ideas and get confirmation that we are taking the right steps. I do that all the time. I'm fully capable of making my own decisions but if I have the time to run them past others in the work place, I will.), don't assume fully technology savvy, teach them they're making a difference (Like I was saying above, we want there to be a purpose and we want to believe in that purpose), give them flexibility (Sad but true. Why does Google, for example, seem so appealing to work for? Because they offer time during the work day to go work out, the ease of playing foosball while brain storming, etc.) and teach them to write (Oh wow! I'll be honest, I don't have the greatest writing skills, and because of it I was never confident at work and would usually ask co-workers to double check something before I sent it out, but I've seen even worse. We are a generation of writing notes in Jr. High with acronyms and text messaging the rest of our life with its own "language." I once saw an admission letter to an university with a smiley face icon in it.... ummm yeah... not appropriate).
I also found the "be prepared to negotiate" and "assume they are venting about you online" bullet points interesting as well. When I worked for my university in college I would get phone calls from parents, of new incoming students, who would say things like, "I can see why that rule/requirement is set in place but that shouldn't apply to us because..." These parents were also negotiating for their kids and I saw it more and more in the students themselves of each incoming class. They seemed to think they were entitled to get the easy way out and not work for a thing. This was so foreign to me because I am a rule follower; if I'm asked to do something... I do it. If I'm told that I have to reach certain requirements... I reach them or understand that I can not get what I want when I don't reach them.
"Assume they are venting about you online," we all see this all the time; I personally think it is sad at how true this statement is. I personally think that venting about work and co-workers in a public place is unprofessional, petty and childish. And honestly... a good way to cause more problems at work and even end up loosing your job.
Anyways! These are my thoughts lately on my generation in the work place. Now I wonder, what will generation Z be like?
9.02.2013
8.26.2013
Random Facts!
Imagine yourself watching an infomercial...
"Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with nothing interesting to say and then you hit that point when the weather comes up?! Oh boy! You know you've hit rock bottom when the weather comes up... It's time to spice up your conversation skills, avoid rock bottom and start memorizing random facts. You heard me! Why not memorize some random facts to share with your friends, family and co-workers during conversations to keep them lively, interesting and informative..."
Haha, ok, don't memorize random facts to improve your conversational skills; I sometimes just think it's fun to know a few random facts. So.... enjoy:
When you die, your hair still grows for a couple of months (that's kind of gross/creepy)
A skunk's smell can be detected by a human from a mile away
Henry Ford produced the Model T only in black because the black paint available at the time was the fastest drying paint
When snakes are born with two heads they fight each other for food
There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia than people.
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator
The elephant is the only animal with four knees
The average person spends about 2 years on the phone in their lifetime
Americans make up 5% of the world's population but they produce 35% of the world's waste
A typical pair of tennis shoes will last 500 miles of walking
"Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with nothing interesting to say and then you hit that point when the weather comes up?! Oh boy! You know you've hit rock bottom when the weather comes up... It's time to spice up your conversation skills, avoid rock bottom and start memorizing random facts. You heard me! Why not memorize some random facts to share with your friends, family and co-workers during conversations to keep them lively, interesting and informative..."
Haha, ok, don't memorize random facts to improve your conversational skills; I sometimes just think it's fun to know a few random facts. So.... enjoy:
When you die, your hair still grows for a couple of months (that's kind of gross/creepy)
A skunk's smell can be detected by a human from a mile away
Henry Ford produced the Model T only in black because the black paint available at the time was the fastest drying paint
When snakes are born with two heads they fight each other for food
There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia than people.
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator
The elephant is the only animal with four knees
The average person spends about 2 years on the phone in their lifetime
Americans make up 5% of the world's population but they produce 35% of the world's waste
A typical pair of tennis shoes will last 500 miles of walking
8.11.2013
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
I stumbled across this article and thought I would share it. It's not GREAT, but I thought it had some good and interesting ideas. Sometimes it's good to have a reality check, even a small one, to give ourselves perspective on our lives. I just thought it was a nice reminder (not that I had forgotten) that we can control our attitudes.
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
1. Feeling Privileged and Satisfied To Be Alive
2. Believing in the Possibility of a Better Tomorrow
3. Knowing Deep Down that Every Step is Worth it
4. Appreciating the Beauty in All the Small Things
5. Feeling Good Enough
6. Consciously Detaching and Living in the Present
7. Embracing Change
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
1. Feeling Privileged and Satisfied To Be Alive
2. Believing in the Possibility of a Better Tomorrow
3. Knowing Deep Down that Every Step is Worth it
4. Appreciating the Beauty in All the Small Things
5. Feeling Good Enough
6. Consciously Detaching and Living in the Present
7. Embracing Change
8.05.2013
Book Reviews: I Sit All Amazed and Austenland
I'm slowly but surely plugging along on my reading list for the year. Here are two more books:
I Sit All Amazed by Steve Mikita
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing must read. I highly recommend it. This book is written by and is about Steve Mikita who is a paraplegic. Mr. Mikita talks about the power of the atonement and how Christ is there with you and knows the good and hard times. He also talks a lot about the power of a mother's love and how much his mother sacrificed for him so that he may have that much more of an enriched life. It was very humbling to read about this man who looks at his life, not by what he can not do but, by what he is able to do and what possibilities he has reached.
The book itself was an easy read and only 130 pages. I read it on a flight from Salt Lake City to Boston and it really shouldn't have taken me that long. I loved it because it was thought provoking, humbling, inspiring and an easy page turner. I bought this at Deseret Book and have no regrets about owning it.
Quotes I liked from the book:
"I cannot repay my mother. Can anyone? I can only give thanks and honor her by living the principles she taught me and by loving others as she loved me."
"Brigham Young once explained, 'Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life.'"
"With Education comes information and choices and preparation, all of which provide an increased awareness of who we are and what we can become. Education draws us closer to the truth of all things. It also makes us useful to other people rather than a burden to them. In spite of my physical disability, I knew I had something to contribute and that education would be the means of delivering it."
"Change provides us with the opportunity to learn more about our Lord and to trust His love and promises for each of us.... But we are not left alone; we are not abandoned. Our loving Godhead is there to comfort and guide us through these changing times."
"Faith is an active thing. Faith requires confidence and effort. Faith requires courage, research, and sacrifice. Faith demands that you and I act."
Talking about being accepted to Duke University and how the Dean of Students was excited and willing to prepare a smooth pathway for Steve Mikita's higher education. "Once again, Mom was right. So long as we had active faith, it only took one -- one extraordinary university and one understanding heart -- to open the way."
(Not only do I love that he is quick to give thanks to his Heavenly Father for this opportunity, give credit for the blessing and recognize the blessing of having active faith but I love that this is an example that Heavenly Father blesses us through other people at times and we too can be making a difference in other's lives when we are listening to the spirit.)
"When we were children, Dad would often remark, 'The greatest gift that a father can give his children is the knowledge that he loves their mother.'"
"my body is destined to fail me. But what won't fail me is my attitude, my family, my friends, and my Savior. Those are the things and the people I can count on and trust. Those are the things that fill my life with hope, happiness and strength."
"it is because of Him that joy is attainable each and every day, wherever we find ourselves and whatever we are experiencing.... Humor does make a difference in our lives. One cannot live a full life without being touched by life's ironies and comedies. Being able to laugh at one's self or at life's paradoxical turns makes every day more enjoyable."
Austenland by Shannon Hale
This book was fun. It wasn't a major page turner like it was for my friend but I still enjoyed a little guilty pleasure of getting slightly wrapped up in a chick flick. I liked that the book was clean and a light easy read. It is about a girl who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and she has a wealthy great aunt that sends her off to this resort that is set up to be as if you are living in the time period of Pride and Prejudice. The great aunt sends her there to get all of the Pride and Prejudice fantasies out of her system because it's beginning to take over the reality of her life. The book continues on to have twisted romances and in the end everything works out and she finds herself. Again, nothing amazing, but just light and fun.
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing must read. I highly recommend it. This book is written by and is about Steve Mikita who is a paraplegic. Mr. Mikita talks about the power of the atonement and how Christ is there with you and knows the good and hard times. He also talks a lot about the power of a mother's love and how much his mother sacrificed for him so that he may have that much more of an enriched life. It was very humbling to read about this man who looks at his life, not by what he can not do but, by what he is able to do and what possibilities he has reached.
The book itself was an easy read and only 130 pages. I read it on a flight from Salt Lake City to Boston and it really shouldn't have taken me that long. I loved it because it was thought provoking, humbling, inspiring and an easy page turner. I bought this at Deseret Book and have no regrets about owning it.
Quotes I liked from the book:
"I cannot repay my mother. Can anyone? I can only give thanks and honor her by living the principles she taught me and by loving others as she loved me."
"Brigham Young once explained, 'Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life.'"
"With Education comes information and choices and preparation, all of which provide an increased awareness of who we are and what we can become. Education draws us closer to the truth of all things. It also makes us useful to other people rather than a burden to them. In spite of my physical disability, I knew I had something to contribute and that education would be the means of delivering it."
"Change provides us with the opportunity to learn more about our Lord and to trust His love and promises for each of us.... But we are not left alone; we are not abandoned. Our loving Godhead is there to comfort and guide us through these changing times."
"Faith is an active thing. Faith requires confidence and effort. Faith requires courage, research, and sacrifice. Faith demands that you and I act."
Talking about being accepted to Duke University and how the Dean of Students was excited and willing to prepare a smooth pathway for Steve Mikita's higher education. "Once again, Mom was right. So long as we had active faith, it only took one -- one extraordinary university and one understanding heart -- to open the way."
(Not only do I love that he is quick to give thanks to his Heavenly Father for this opportunity, give credit for the blessing and recognize the blessing of having active faith but I love that this is an example that Heavenly Father blesses us through other people at times and we too can be making a difference in other's lives when we are listening to the spirit.)
"When we were children, Dad would often remark, 'The greatest gift that a father can give his children is the knowledge that he loves their mother.'"
"my body is destined to fail me. But what won't fail me is my attitude, my family, my friends, and my Savior. Those are the things and the people I can count on and trust. Those are the things that fill my life with hope, happiness and strength."
"it is because of Him that joy is attainable each and every day, wherever we find ourselves and whatever we are experiencing.... Humor does make a difference in our lives. One cannot live a full life without being touched by life's ironies and comedies. Being able to laugh at one's self or at life's paradoxical turns makes every day more enjoyable."
This book was fun. It wasn't a major page turner like it was for my friend but I still enjoyed a little guilty pleasure of getting slightly wrapped up in a chick flick. I liked that the book was clean and a light easy read. It is about a girl who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and she has a wealthy great aunt that sends her off to this resort that is set up to be as if you are living in the time period of Pride and Prejudice. The great aunt sends her there to get all of the Pride and Prejudice fantasies out of her system because it's beginning to take over the reality of her life. The book continues on to have twisted romances and in the end everything works out and she finds herself. Again, nothing amazing, but just light and fun.
7.28.2013
What is Love?
My brother recently got married and for the wedding dinner we decided to incorporate into the center pieces something from all of the nieces and nephews. We asked each of the nieces and nephews What Love was or what it meant to them and had their quotes on display as part of the center piece. I thought it would be fun to share their answers:
(My personal favorite of the quotes)
"Well, ok... to me, love is a feeling. That you care for someone." -8-year-old
"To like people and love your family." - 6-year-old
"Jesus!" - 5-year-old
"Talking to each other... Love is roses" - 9-year-old
"To kiss lips" - 5-year-old
(My personal favorite of the quotes)
"It's best friends forever... and chocolate milk!" - 2-year-old
"Love? Love is kissy, smoochy stuff." - 10-year-old
"Love means like a heart, and flowers and presents." - 8-year-old
"Love is hugging and kissing." - 6-year-old
"Love means hugs and kisses." 7-year-old
"Being nice to your friends and playing with them and being good." 3-year-old
We also asked the nieces and nephews for some marriage advice for the happy couple. These were some of my favorite advices:
"Do the hotdog dance." - 2-year-old
"Go on adventures!" - 6-year-old
"Give lots of birthday presents!" - 4-year-old
"Have fun!" - 10-year-old
"Love is always good." - 7-year-old
7.15.2013
"Aw Man!" Moments
You know, sometimes in life we have those, "Aw man!" moments. They are those moments when you are thinking, "Really? Really? Did that just happen." But hopefully we just laugh our "Aw man" moments off; life is too short to fester on the embarrassment that sometimes comes with them.
Here are some examples of "Aw Man" moments if you don't know what I am talking about:
Sneezing seconds after eating a cracker.
Running into a hot guy, you haven't seen in years, after running at the gym.
Having the bottom of your skirt get tucked into the top of your red panties in the back, after using the restroom, and walking down the hall back to your desk not realizing the show you were giving people until sitting down on your chair. (Sadly, yes, this did happen to me)
Here are some examples of "Aw Man" moments if you don't know what I am talking about:
Sneezing seconds after eating a cracker.
Running into a hot guy, you haven't seen in years, after running at the gym.
Having the bottom of your skirt get tucked into the top of your red panties in the back, after using the restroom, and walking down the hall back to your desk not realizing the show you were giving people until sitting down on your chair. (Sadly, yes, this did happen to me)
Throwing trash away in one of those counters with a hole in it and then realizing the garbage can is not in there.
While driving into work one day I ate some toast for my breakfast. It took me a good 2 hours at work to realize that I had toast crumbs on each of my cheeks... (sarcastic) awesome.
This was a close Aw man moment:
7.08.2013
Well said Winnie The Pooh, Well Said
You know, Winnie the Pooh is fictional character but yet A.A. Milne says some wonderful things through him and all of the characters of the Hundred Acer Woods. The things are simple but sometimes simple is just what we need to express how we really feel, a reminder to look for the good in others (refering to the weed quote), give encouragement that is needed and to define love. So here is my simple blog post and a few of my favorite A.A. Milne quotes from Winnie the Pooh:
I found these quotes at http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne
Promise me you'll always remember; You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.
You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.
The things that make me different are what make me.
"Sometime," said Pooh "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
What day is it? -Pooh
It's today - squeeked Piglet
My favorite day! - Pooh
I found these quotes at http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne
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