Karen McCullough is one of the most energetic, positive and inspirational speakers in the business! Her clients call her, “A Shot of Energy! She is the most fun you’ll ever have learning! You will be entertained, inspired and prepared for the future.”
Karen explains that Generation X are those born between 1965-1978 plus or minus five years on either side. Generation X are also called GenX, Xers, slackers, Baby Bust and The Ignored.
This is the first time in American history that we have had four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace. Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations and habits.
Generation X feels institutions, churches, the government, and even parents let them down so are untrusting of authority, even reject it. Divorce became a major part of the X Generation. They have the reputation of being critical, skeptical, cynical, and pessimistic with a ‘prove it to me’ attitude.
Karen talks about the time when the baby boomer moms went to work and ‘Latch Key Kids’ were born. As a baby boomer, Karen jokingly says she’s sorry. It’s fun to listen to her, but I feel she really is apologizing for the mistakes the boomers have made that have formed some of those attitudes. She tells us the Xers need to fix the problems the boomers started.
The X Gen views education as a means to the end. When dealing with money, Gen Xers are cautious and conservative.
Setting limits for themselves, attempting to balance work and family time, Gen Xers enjoy the modern technology of cell phones but use them for calls only at work.
They believe in doing things their own way and to forget the rules.
Generation X are the most loyal population in the workplace today. They are loyal to people, not companies, loyal to individuals, not organizations.
I have had a blast learning about these generational differences. I’ve realized that I am truly a Generation Xer!
Over the next couple weeks I will post the complete series of the 4 generations in the workplace and how this knowledge will give us direction to benefit our business. I look forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned!
August 13th, 2010 at 10:16 am
That was great. Nice video…very funny and it’s true. I’m looking forward to your series of posts that are coming. Thanks Linda.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thanks Rick! I look forward to sharing this info with you!!
August 13th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Great post Linda,
it really is interesting learning about the differences between the generations and to see why this has come about.
It’s a great insight into understanding them on a better level.
Thanks for sharing this Linda.
In Health n Harmony
Toni
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August 13th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Absolutely fabulous post. Thank you soooooo much. I learned so much aboout my 33 year old son!!
August 13th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
HI Linda,
I havent decided if I am a Baby Boomer or a Gen X, I was born 21 days before the GenX time… so I have always denied being a Baby boomer… but I am not sure I fit with the GenXs…. Love the info, i will be back to hear about all 4 series.
Holly
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August 15th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Holly~
Given that ‘they say’ the generations begin plus or minus 5 years, you must have picked up the best of both generations!!
August 13th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I never thought about the GenXers in this light. It kind of helps to figure out how to connect perhaps a bit more easily…thanks for the insight!
August 15th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Bruce,
Looking at your facebook profile, I see we’re the same age. Doesn’t it feel more accurate that we’re Gen Xers instead of Baby Boomers? Either way, the information is very important as network marketers!
Linda
August 14th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Hi Linda, I always thought I was a baby boomer but it didn’t quite resonant for me, now that I read about Gen X and that we can take it 5 years either side of the date I think I belong in with this group of people. Or maybe I just want to be younger – always felt I was born too early and that I was ahead of my time. Thanks for this, so much that I read is about Gen Y so great to read more about Gen X.
Belinda
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August 15th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Belinda~
That’s EXACTLY how I felt!! When I first read that baby boomers went til ’64, I thought, ‘oh, then I must be a boomer’ and it didn’t feel quite right! When I learned 5 years on either end, it made sense to me!! As I read everything on Gen X I know that’s the generation that I’m in!!
~Linda
August 16th, 2010 at 2:57 am
A delightful, fun, and interesting take on life, Linda. I’m looking forward to learning more about the generations.
August 16th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Didn’t it crack you up when Karen talked about the Halloween candy?
August 16th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Linda,
Karen McCullough is lots of fun. I enjoyed her video. It is helpful to have an understanding of the four generations, because each one requires a different set of rules to relate to.
Taking a hard look at the differences, it is easier to understand how a Baby Boomer parent (yep, that’s me) is challenged with Gen Y children!
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August 16th, 2010 at 7:33 am
I totally agree~ When I looked into it, many things are understandable! I have a friend that is so opposed to grouping people together like this… she sees prejudice being formed. Recognizing not ‘everyone’ fits into ‘every’ category ‘every time’- I see understanding because most do!
August 16th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I always find it erroneous to blame failings on something that happened in the past. The facts are that we all have had to deal with what is happening now and there is no point in blaming it on something that happened in the past. We just have to learn to deal with it.
If generation X were known as ‘Latch Key Kids’ what’s this generation going to be called, the ‘Child Care Center Kids?’ Will they have their own issues because their parents were forced to work in order to maintain their homes.
Honestly, I think we all do the best we can with what we have.
Sire@Rocking The Blogging World recently posted..My Honest Evaluation Of Dreamstime
August 17th, 2010 at 6:30 am
Sire~
That’s a very interesting reaction! I don’t think of it as blame, I think it’s an explanation. I value family with my whole heart. I also value women’s rights. I understand the right of women to work out side the home, yet raising children is the most important ‘job’ a woman can ever do. Now-a-days people feel they need so much money that two parents have to work and yet want kids. I’m with Dr. Laura on this one, “stay home until the kids are raised”. And yes, we all do the best we can.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Don’t mind me Linda, I tend to go over the top at times. My wife worked right up till we had kids and then we decided that the kids came first and so she left work to look after them. It was tough but we made do.
Now they’re thinking of taxing companies so that moms can take 6 months off work fully paid. I just can’t see this as being fair to the companies involved, which will more than likely pass on the costs which means that I’ll end up paying for some strange woman to stay home and look after her kids. Just doesn’t make sense to me.
If a company decides of it’s own back to have a maternity policy that’s one thing, but to have if forced on them is something entirely different.
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August 17th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Don’t worry, I’m the same! I’ll meet you over the top!
It is slim on one income but so worth it! I can’t imagine taxing for maternity leave! I have a feeling it’s going to get wild!! (not necessarily in a good way!)
September 10th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Well said, Sire.
“If generation X were known as ‘Latch Key Kids’ what’s this generation going to be called, the ‘Child Care Center Kids?’ Will they have their own issues because their parents were forced to work in order to maintain their homes”.
There are enough feelings of guilt experienced already from many working parents who do not have a choice as to whether they go back to work (or get a job) or not, without the potential further guilt trip down the track when kids start blaming their parents for issues (either perceived or real) related to “growing up in child care”.
Like everything, there needs to be balance, and as you said, you do the best with what you’ve got. Every situation is different.
Many parents are better able to cope with parenthood by having time away from their kids, whether that’s through going to work (either by choice or necessity) or otherwise (eg: “me” time).
Others don’t have a choice about going back to work and find being away from their kids and juggling work a terrible strain, both physically and emotionally (understandably!) … been there, done that!
Then there are those of us that don’t want a break from our kids at all – even when grocery shopping
(yes, we really do exist!).
I’ve been both a working mother (3-4 days per week) with one child for 2.5 years, plus lots of travelling involved with getting to and from work, and a stay at home mother (now of 3).
I’ve enjoyed both situations and now that my youngest child is at school (he started this year), I’m finally “finding my feet” again when it comes to not having a child/children with me all the time.
Now … taxing companies for maternity leave? Hmm. I’m don’t think that’s such a great idea as you’ve pointed out already, Sire.
Obviously this sounds like a great arrangement for those taking maternity leave, however, I agree with you that it should be up to the companies involved to have their own policy.
I believe that up to 12 months unpaid maternity leave is terrific anyway (and that this should be mandatory everywhere). Being able to stay at home with your child for that length of time is a great start for both mother and baby, and then having the choice to go back to work after that is too. I took the full 12 months unpaid maternity leave after having our first child, then another 12 months when our second child was born. I officially resigned following that after nearly 17 years working with the same company.
Personally, I would much prefer 12 months unpaid maternity leave than 6 months paid maternity leave. Without sounding idealistic and opening up a heated debate, living on one income is hard, but money isn’t everything … when your kids are grown, they’re grown!
~ Kylie ~
Kylie Doak recently posted..Do You Believe in Angels
September 10th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Goodness Kylie~
I’m glad you shared this information! I never knew you as a working mother. I can totally understand your taking the first 12 months with your kiddos, and I agree spending that time is very important. You’re talented and giving, such a wonderful mother! I’m happy for your children that you’ve decided to stay home at least till they’re in school. I know that sometimes both parents need to work outside the home to raise their kids (I don’t even want to start the conversation about the differences between ‘NEEDS’ and ‘WANTS’) and I know that it’s a different lifestyle to live on one income. Like you said, it may be hard, but truly money isn’t everything!
Linda
September 11th, 2010 at 12:47 am
Thanks, Linda. I really appreciate you saying that. You’re an awesome mom too!
I absolutely loved my job and was genuinely sad to eventually leave it, but I love being a mum more than anything so it was a “no brainer” as far as that decision was concerned – I’d paid my dues in the “employment department” as far I was concerned at that point in time.
Working outside the home with one child was hard enough, and I couldn’t have managed it without the support of my parents … (wait for it!) …
… long story short (well, as short as I can manage – hehe): my daughter and I lived part time with my parents for half the week, every week for 2.5 years while I worked during that time because we lived nearly 2 hours from where I worked! … yep, I know how crazy that sounds, but I loved my job and couldn’t imagine working anywhere else! We would then go home to my husband on the weekend for the next few days.
The time that my eldest daughter and I got to spend with my parents was an added bonus of that (there’s always a silver lining). We loved being there and Mum and Dad loved having us there too.
That being said, I could not have managed to do that with two children, and I wasn’t prepared to try. The emotional strain of it used to get to me with one, let alone two! (not to mention the extra things that would have to be packed into the car and taken out again every week … no thanks! I eventually used to wake up feeling nauseous on a Tuesday because that was the day that I had to pack the car and leave … again! lol).
I’m with you on the “Needs vs Wants” conversation, Linda … don’t get ME started!
We’ll leave that for another post, hey?!
~ Kylie ~
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September 11th, 2010 at 6:40 am
Kylie~
I’m very glad you shared your story! Mine is similar. I loved working at the abused women’s shelter. (Even tho I was so young) I felt (hoped) I could make a difference in the ladies lives. Empowerment is a concept that is getting out there with this ‘Law of Attraction’ movement, at least in my world. I really have no idea what it’s like for women who marry abusive guys. I worked primarily in the evening, while my husband was home but I worked on Friday and the kids went to day-care at a home right across the street from the shelter. I found myself stopping at 7-11 everyday on my way home from work buying the kids a “treat” to help them feel ok about leaving them there. They were all VERY little but old enough to express the desire to not go to daycare. By the time I paid for daycare and bought the clothes I needed for work, I really was only making a few hundred bucks a week. I realize bachelors level social work at a non-profit agency isn’t the greatest pay but if I put the money into the equation, that only left the help I could give to the ladies to draw me there, away from my kids. I decided that I’d go home and wait until my kids were in school before I’d be a counselor. Then you know the story, when my kids were in school, my speed bump of MS happened.
My husband makes a lot of money, and it’s always been “his money is our money”, that’s not the issue. There is just something that comes from being able to add to the family income, in my case help pay the medical costs! That’s another post waiting to happen!
Have a wonderful weekend!
~Linda
August 31st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Hi Linda,
This is such an informative article. I’m surprise to know that people who belong to GenX have really good attitudes. This is really a nice study about attitude. I’m glad to know this reality about this generational differences.
September 1st, 2010 at 6:07 am
Hey Dan! Thanks for visiting my blog! Why don’t you get a picture attached to your comments? Visit me here and I’ll hold your hand through the process! http://lindagraceonline.com/get-the-focus-on-you/
September 11th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for pointing this post out Linda very cool.
I was born 1975. most of my friends are all xers one thing I think most of share is the thought that.
“Really this is what being a grown up is all about?” lols…
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September 13th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I was so inspired and moved by this topic, you really helped me find focus for my personal blog. I also linked to you in the generation x article I wrote.
Thanks again for the inspiration
Larry Rivera recently posted..Generation X My Point Of View
September 13th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Larry~
Thank you for saying so! I’m anxious to read your Gen X post!
Linda
September 18th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
So the only reason Generation X is being put down is because that’s the generation that divorce rates went up? Every Generation has it’s flaws I can go on for hours explaining what people say about my generation(they aren’t very nice things). I love Generation X though because my favorite actress and my soulmate (Zooey Deschanel <3) was born in 1980 so it still fits in Generation if you add the five years. She's all that I need to love that Generation :p
September 21st, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I appreciate your post a lot because you taught me what is a generation X is all about. I am excited to see more post in your creation. Thank you for paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich. More power in this post!
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September 22nd, 2010 at 4:31 am
Thank you Emma!
I can hear your energy! I’m anxious to read your last post!
Linda
December 1st, 2010 at 6:16 am
The initial show of the new series, broadcast on Saturday, featured a kissogram, a naked Physician along with a “sexed up” Tardis.During the special 65-minute episode, The Eleventh Hour, in which Doctor Who had 20 minutes to save Earth from aliens known as the Atraxi, his new companion, Amy Pond, was revealed as a kissogram dressed in a skimpy policeman’s outfit, complete with mini-skirt and handcuffs. In 1 scene, Amy, played by the actress Karen Gillan, told the Dr that her kissogram repertoire also included nuns and nurses’ outfits. Find out a lot more at Sci Fi Fan.
December 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 am
Thank you for visitng my blog! It would be great to see a picture attached to your comment. I created a post to show you how: http://lindagraceonline.com/get-the-focus-on-you/ I’ll email it to you in case you don’t see it here.
Linda