“Will someone tell the Baby Boomers we’re not using AOL emails anymore?”
– A Millennial
I attended a business conference in Denver last year where a “generational expert” gave a keynote presentation to my colleagues and I that focused on how to better understand the behavior patterns of those who consume, or could potentially consume, our services. Specifically, the speaker was focused on teaching us Baby Boomers about Millennials and Gen Zs.
If you’re like me, I have trouble keeping all the generations straight. Here they are:
- Gen Zs: Born 1996 – TBD
- Millennials: Born 1977 – 1995
- Generation X: Born 1965 – 1976
- Baby Boomers: Born 1946 – 1964
- Traditionalists or Silent Generation (sometimes called the Greatest Generation): Born 1945 and before
Currently Millennials and Gen Zs make up over half (52%) of the U.S. population, with Millennials at 27% and Gen Zs at 25%. If you’re in leadership, or run a business, you must pay attention to, and understand, this group. This is where half of your managers and revenues either come from now, or will soon come from. Future business success is dependent upon knowing and understanding your customer base, especially this powerful consumer block.
While there is much effort being put into knowing and understanding Millennials and GenZs, so companies and institutions can maximum productivity and profits, there are trends beneath the surface with these two generations that have nothing to do with productivity and profits and everything to do with purpose. Consider this comment by pastor and author Greg Laurie: “The Millennials have been described as the loneliest generation with the highest use of pharmaceuticals, specifically antidepressants, and the most depressed generation. They have the highest suicide rate of any generation. Generation Z has been described by experts as the hopeless generation. So, we’ve gone from the greatest generation, those who came through World War II, to the hopeless generation.” (Source: Greg Laurie on Family Talk 9/6/19)
Here in the United States our standard of living has never been better, yet our despair has never been worse. As Laurie points out, half our population – Millennials and GenZs – have managed to corner the market of loneliness and hopelessness. Denver, the very city in which our conference was held, ranks as the nation’s third loneliest city according to a recent survey by CV Outreach. Only Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. fared worst, two places that personify power and pleasure. Should we be surprised? We have bought into the myth that if we have “more” we will be happy. If that’s true, then why are we on so much medication, and why are we experiencing so much hopelessness and loneliness?
Jesus offers us much in the way of practical advice for putting a stop to the slippery slope of hopelessness and loneliness. He said, “There’s more to life than a good meal (Mt 4:4). Seek God first, ordering your life around what He says is important and the other things will take care of themselves (Mt. 6:33). You’re not in this alone – I’m right here with you (Jn 14:18). Trust me, not the world, and you won’t have to experience hopelessness (Jn 3:16). Stop trying to have it all. You can’t chase after two things at one time. If you’ll do the right thing – chase after me – you’ll have it all … all the stuff that really matters (Mt 6:24).”
Future business success may be dependent upon knowing and understanding your customer base, but true success, the kind that can’t be measured by gross sales and net profits, is dependent upon where we place our hope. Where we place our hope is a function of what we truly value.
What is it you truly value? A standard of living or a quality of life? There is a difference between the two. Hopelessness and loneliness is a byproduct of a counterfeit message. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” A full life is available from the Author of Life. Jesus is the hope, not just for the Millennials and GenZs, but for all generations.
Play to win this week in the game that really counts!
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