You hear all about stereotypes that frame entire generations by traits that only some people hold. I find it to be extremely frustrating, but for the purpose of impact, I’m about to do just that. Sorry in advance.
Why I don’t relate to my peers…
When I went to college, the university I chose marketed the school to Christian students. Their big thing was that we would find “like-minded community” there. Long story short, it was a load of crap. It was crap for two reasons:
They were saying it to me, without knowing me.
They were saying it about their student body, without knowing their student body.
Going deeper…
I’m going to work backwards on this one…
Their student body.
Well, let’s just say that being a Christian, and living with Christian values, means something different to every person. I found that, to my university, it meant something like, “Listen. Obey. Limit your opinion. Go to chapel. Don’t ask questions. Accept what you’re handed.”
Me.
I felt constricted, and withheld at the university I attended. I met peers who actually acknowledged that they would get more out of something else, but were content to continue anyway. I had “advisors” who told me to conform to the people around me.
The point…
I have found that many of my peers have complacency issues. Maybe I’m on the extreme, but I think if you are doing anything that you are not satisfied with, especially when it costs you, you need a reality check. Being at college doesn’t say anything about you, you don’t pay $120,000 for a reputation of being smart enough. What are you doing floundering? You are the only person who can accurately identify what your wants and needs are. It is your responsibility to make things happen for yourself.
A challenge…
Take today, identify what you want or need, and don’t do the things that do not move you closer to your goals. Say “No.” to the opportunities that you don’t care about so that you can say “Yes!” to the ones that you do.