There are currently 75.4 million Millennials in the world. These individuals are changing societal norms, gaining both negative and positive reputations, and fighting injustices, all while downloading the newest social media app. Millennials are a busy, busy bunch, and have the ability to shape the world as they are fully entered into adulthood. Actually, whether they choose to or not, the choices, actions, and attitudes of Millennials will shape the world as we know it. Is that a lot of pressure? Sure. Is that an outstanding, opportunity? You'd better believe it. In order to do be successful, thoughtful, careful world shapers, all Millennials must ask themselves these three vital questions.
3. Is a new way necessary or just different?
As the world is ever changing, there are many news ways to do things. Everything experiences new ideas, methods, and beliefs. The real question is: Are those new things necessary and better, or are they just different from tradition? Millennials, as each new generation has experienced, are faced with new choices every day. It's easy to believe that new is automatically better. Yet just because something new arises, the traditional way does not necessarily become bad. Millennials must learn to analyze the good and the bad of each idea before jumping to conclusions.
2. How much power will you give social media?
Technology has skyrocketed, and it's only going to expand from the world's current state. Relationships are forming online. Individuals are experiencing harm online. Society has begun to associate success with online interactions, followings, and general personas. Millennials are the first generation to have grown up with social media technologies; while the Gen Xers are still debating the pros and cons of Twitter, Millennials are ready to move on to the next best thing. Millennials are fantastic at engaging at online, yet this opens a door to the danger that comes with online interaction. Millennials must decide to maintain the power of their interactions, not giving way to social media's grasping clutches; using the tool for good.
1. What battles matter most?
As a generation, the Millennials have proven to be outspoken about the issues they care about. Social injustices, political roller coasters, dresses that could debatably be two completely different color schemes...will it never end? Yet in this chaotic mess we call a world, what battles matter most? While it would be ideal to conquer every battle, that attempt is more often than not seen played out in the Facebook comments...it ends with individuals shouting over anything and everything. Millennials must prioritize the battles that need to be fought here and now. In doing that, they will be able to make a positive change instead of getting lost in the newest fad. One battle at a time.
The Millennial generation has a lot of work to do. In the next few years, it will be clear how this generation will respond to the opportunities given to them. Ultimately, that response can be seen in the answers to each of the above questions. Will Millennials choose to respond to the world with love, understanding, analysis, and a deep breath? Will they charge forward in wisdom or in reaction? Will they choose to shape the world through example, force, or a nasty tweet? What will Millennials do that is different than what generations before them have deemed necessary? The rest of the world will have to wait and see.
