Getting it Half Right....
Funny thing, Pandemics…. not only do they have medical consequences, but they also seem to have broader societal consequences, too.
It is NOT a coincidence a lot of people are re-thinking their life paths. There is a massive cultural shift in how service work, which accounts for 75% of our economy, is done today. As a world and nation, we pivoted from traditional offices to home desks, tables & spare rooms in a matter of weeks. That now appears to be a viable cultural norm. With “work from wherever” taking strong root, so too has the evaluation of where we live, and why we live there. Do we LIKE where we are living? If not, and we can work from anywhere, why not? And finally, the Great Resignation is STILL going strong. Since January 2022, 34 million people have quit work. Some more than twice. It’s such a phenomenon, that the Dr. Phil Show spent a whole hour discussing it!
This lifepath re-set includes taking a hard look at the traditional college path. The numbers are showing a strong decline in students attending traditional colleges and universities, and it’s NOT due to Covid. I’ve mentioned before; One, the current cohort of available college students, Gen Z, is smaller than their older Millennial siblings. Two, this Z group has seen the loan debacles of those ahead of them and wants NOTHING to do with that. One approach is to reject the college/university education path altogether.
To be clear, I am fine with that decision; yet, I have a caveat.
What is NOT fine to me is the second half of that equation. If not college or higher education, what IS your plan? I don’t have to look too far from my neighborhood or circle of friends to see what this can look like. For a notable number, their adult children remain at their childhood home with little movement towards financial independence and establishing their own lives. To be clear, I am not talking about a transition period. This can happen due to job search, separation/divorce, etc. That happens. I am talking about the year after year, same old-same old, situation where no one is moving up or out and no one seems happy.
This is the Half that isn’t right.
I am not sure where I came up with this, but I remember saying to our student, you always have to pay for your pillow. Whether you rent or own, it costs money to sleep. It costs to eat, stay cool & warm, and enjoy life. That’s why you strive to move forward- to meet your needs and wants.
Parents and family friends, I apologize now for stepping on some toes. Please love your students enough to help them move forward in their lives. If they are stuck, chat with them about building a plan, then executing it. Yes, I know. Nothing goes to plan. But I also know this. If you don’t have a plan, I guarantee the heavens will not open up and drop a dream situation in your lap. Most of the time, we have to be out there trying before opportunity presents itself. Opportunity is not an Amazon doorstep delivery.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Sometimes we “freeze” during times of crisis, and we don’t know how to thaw out and start moving forward again. A growing industry and “how-to” book niche is known as Life Coaching. Most life coaches start their clients with simple tasks for quick wins to help build skills to take on bigger things. If you are a safe haven for a “stuck” young adult, consider taking steps towards positive changes in your current situation if needed or desired.
Getting this other Half RIGHT will help everyone.
Until Next Time,
All My Best,
Bonnie Burkett
