Eager

With a workforce that comprises a heterogeneous blend of baby boomers and members of Generation Y, there lies a challenging dichotomy in how we operate to get things accomplished, and it’s got me thinking. As a member of the Peter Pan Generation, defined by our postponement of a socially acceptable version of adulthood, our way of viewing the world, and ability, or inability, to make things happen is vastly different than that of our parent’s generation. Thriving off the energy of instantaneous happenings, be it in the form of social media, entertainment, or perhaps even through other lifestyle options like fast food, we’ve been conditioned to believe that things just happen. And they happen with haste. The old virtue of patience has essentially been discarded along with yesterday’s Big Mac wrapper. We are constantly striving to stay au courant -- whether it’s with the new layout of Facebook, the fluctuating rate of unemployment, or even just rent –- it’s tough to keep up. It’s like we are in this perpetual chase-mode mentality, racing after the dollar bill that’s attached to the nearly invisible string. We are always trying to discern the next new thing, and just when we begin to do so — POOF — another new thing emerges into the mix. It’s no wonder we call ourselves a “quick study” and “fast learner.” How can we wait and expect to be patient when we already feel behind? Engrossed in a fast-pace world, how do we find a way to work with those who seem to have taken hold of the notion of patience? How can anything grandiose come to fruition if we continuously have to catch our breath? Sometimes I envy those baby boomers who seem to realize and accept that things take time. My mother would always tell me, “everything will happen in due time.” As I immerse myself in my career as a young professional, I need to remember that it’s not always about making things happen. Sometimes you just have to take things in. While I will be the first to admit that I am impatient, I think for now I will characterize myself as eager.