Why aren’t millennial and generation Z motivated to work and do things in life? The answer is a bit more complex as you might think. Is it really because of their laziness? Remember there is always a psychology to laziness. So why aren’t they motivated? The answer is pretty straightforward when you break it down. First we should visit what motivates the previous generation. From my observation it’s responsibility to family, the ability to purchase assets and items of luxury from a iterative consumer culture. In the millennial and generation Z generation, these values are not that strong because they don’t ever have money nor have a sense to desire to make families due commonly to the time, cost, and resources to have a functional family. This is just to name a few. It is true both of these generations are more selfish than the previous; however, there is a reason why and a list of things that lead them to not be motivated. So let’s dive into it. From what I observe, members of these generations are commonly depressed, they do not see a wonderful future, everything looks grim, repetitive, and mundane. They do not see innovation, evolution, and growth in technology caused by known figures that inspire them. The mainstream news does not show anything of this nature. In their minds it’s common that large corporations are the machines that dominate the markets and are the leading providers for everything they consume. Poor education and a lack of critical thinking shapes their ideology. What they think is critical thinking is actually nonintellectual regurgitation of information on a fundamental and not personalized self-aware thinking level. It’s more on a level where culture is more predominant then intellectual think; otherwise there would be a larger desire to know more about the world, it’s systems, it’s evolutions of subjects, and a desire to know as much as possible so that they have this awareness that the world started and lead to where it is today which also helps establish a way of thinking which develops logic and reasoning to which will be their greatest tool in daily life survival and decision-making. The conditioning through textbooks gives the impression that they have to reach a high level of intelligence to influence the world or gives the idea that everything has already been discovered and can no longer be furthered due to the limitations of intellectual capability. Teachers do not discuss what they don’t know or what subjects are still being studied and observed which could spark students interest. The true purpose of quality education aims to excited and inspire students to participate and want to learn more, instead the reality is test taking and information regurgitation which demotivates learning which shapes and influences a student’s mind to be closed off. Moreover, members of these generations do not feel empowered. They come up with ideas, write stories, create mediums and they are commonly never heard, congratulated, or inspired to continue to produce. They also desire to inspire change but are met with the agendas of senior Americans and Boomers. There is not a consideration, expansion, or experimentation with new ideas. The older generation commonly looks down at the newer generations as they offer fresh ideas the older generation thinks is illogical or absurd. There is nothing that demonstrates or proves the new generations they can make a difference or leave their mark in the world. Commonly no opportunities present themselves. They cant even get information on what type of fields and industries can use specializations to which they can contribute towards. It’s literally a waiting game until all the previous generations die out in order to try new ideas and to break older systems and replace seemingly outdated system with systems that are more organic to their ideal, vision, or flavor to the world. Millennial and Generation Z commonly do not have resources, contacts, nor financial resources. The majority of millenials and generation Z live under the poverty line, working more harder than other generations, but not going anywhere in life. To make ends meet, they need to have more than one job or live as a couple or with roomates to save or have a breakeven in financial growth. Just like a 3rd world country, they live pay check to paycheck to pay bills and just get by. Even when they invest in the stock market, it’s still a low amount of wealth generated. When a person works part or full time jobs, jumping from job to job because there is a dollar higher difference, their world become mundane and demotivating. Work long enough not feeling like one’s going anywhere and anyone will become demotivated to suicide and even become enraged over time. The conditions to work and find meaning and value in one’s occupation or life is heavily lacking. That is why there is a heavy influence on escapist culture where videogames, art, and entertainment becomes a prodominat force in their day-to-day culture. Millennial and Generation Z don’t have stories of millionaires being created by their generations and how they managed to pull it off. There are no stories of how people get ahead with actually functional passive income streams and financial strategies. Not hearing things to help motivate people of these generations furthers the impression there isn’t a way to get ahead. I’ve known many millennial that have tried to empower themselves through literature such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Rich Dad Poor Dad, or Think and Grow Rich. I’ve known many people who have read books but when they go to apply their knowledge, they still can’t seem to get ahead. They feel the system is made in a way where it doesn’t allow them to succeed or succeed at the pace they should be succeeding. Millennial and Generation Z are too focused on survival, to stay afloat, and having the idea their only salvation is education. They fall into an academic mafia of student loans and unfair academic systems to which commonly they drop out. It’s a massive belief that one pieces of paper from a diploma is the key ingredient in a person’s life when in reality college could put you in worst financial ruin when you learn your passionate major doesn’t offer any opportunities or becomes a saturated market. Putting everything together, it’s no wonder they want change so bad and would even result to violence or an irrational political ideology to change it. Millennial and Generation Z want the same as the previous generation. They want a life, freedom to pursue passions, leave a legacy, build value, to do good, and overall be happy, but they feel disempowered and demotivated. Despite their liberal changes in relationship and preferences, most want families. However, because the cost of living is too high and there is so much requirements in responsibilities financially, there is a cautious approached to family life. Very quick it important to mention the cost of living is one of the greatest factors in these generations impact to do anything. When most of one’s paycheck goes into the cost of living where you’re saving only $100 to get ahead, it becomes difficult to do anything or get ahead. Once one leaves the house at the common age of 18, if they leave their parents’ house, the amount of responsibilities and financial responsibilities skyrockets and becomes an extreme. Often Millennial and Generation Z come from broken families or families without fathers so this impacts their view on what it means to have a family. Mix this with urban sprawl, the different dynamics of finding meaningful relationships, and lack of community needed to help build identity, you end up with an indesire to not want to have families and a focus on more selfish desires. By changing how we live today and the systems we have, we can inspire this and the oncoming generations. It’s unlikely we will see changes in this era, but that’s why it’s important to create an awareness so that our voices can be heard and that change can improve the quality of life for everyone, especially the generations to come so that they do not feel unempowered and demotivated.
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