"You're not special!"

[doitmyself]

Sometimes you are not even rewarded for success. Early on in my career, a mentor told me to work hard to please myself, not so much for others. I suppose that's a type of reward.

Plus, who needs to be special? Having a special purpose is what is most important.

 

[antiqueshell]

Brilliant!

The larger issue is we are creating a society of extreme
narcissists which I believe is a form of sociopathology.

 

[wrcsixeight]

" You're Not Special!!"

If this were a bumper sticker, it would be the only bumper sticker I would ever consider displaying.

I'd like to run those off the road who's bumper stickers proudly display:

"It's all about me."

But pretty much anybody driving with a cell phone to their ear is proudly proclaiming the same thing.

 

[crinkles]

On the flip side it's hard to find a mentor nowadays. Everyone has to meet their performance targets and unfortunately mentoring doesn't help the bottom line in the short run.

 

[Shannow]

15 year lack of professional development, plus decades of baby boomer downsizing has meant that people are having to be paid as 'though they ARE special, then develop into the role.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
"You're not special!"


Am too!!!

Mommy!!!!

 

[Mr_Incredible]

As I told my daughter, "You are unique and special. There is not another person on Earth like you. Just like everybody else..."

She was really beaming up until that last part. Then she got that "thinking wheels turning" look on her face. Then a scowl.

The message was received, but not necessarily appreciated.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

So are those who have grown up in the "You are special!" generation less apt to success?

The only time I got a pat on the back was when I did something well. Not when I tried to do something and didn't

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

The line between notoriety and fame has been blurred beyond recognition.

I HOPE this CHANGES!

 

[Trav]

Quote:
So are those who have grown up in the "You are special!" generation less apt to success?


I believe there is more than a little something to that.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
So are those who have grown up in the "You are special!" generation less apt to success?


I believe there is more than a little something to that.


Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
The only time I got a pat on the back was when I did something well. Not when I tried to do something and didn't

Not to get too personal, but I think the better approach is, praise the effort in attempting to do well. Way too many kids are afraid to look "stupid" or that they may not be the best, so they don't try anything.
Not every kid can get all A's in school or win the trophy, but if they put in more effort, they can be far more successful than the kid who does get A's easily.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways.


Yep i suppose one could be a successful hobo, wino, pan handler, rapist, mugger, night burglar, arsonist etc. .

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways.


Yep i suppose one could be a successful hobo, wino, pan handler, rapist, mugger, night burglar, arsonist etc. .



Luckily, people may find further options beyond yours, plus "acquire more stuff".

 

[Trav]

Quote:
Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways

I was just pointing out you can make a case for being successful at anything no matter how absurd.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more

Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways.


Nope. Didn't work. They still want stuff. But they either cry or steal the stuff.

 

[buster]

I liked what he said.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more

Those in the "You are special!" generation may be more apt to define success in different ways.


Nope. Didn't work. They still want stuff. But they either cry or steal the stuff.


That's quite a generalization, Pablo! If today's youth are being misguided maybe you could do better by providing a hand instead of prejudicial contempt? Developing an understanding across a generational divide by spending some time with an (unpaid!) intern or something might give some kid some valuable (life) experience and might lead you to realize that the world may not burst into a ball of flames once these folks take it over.

Kumbaya and what-not, that kinda stuff.

 

[Racerjk]

This is the greatest speech ever IMO! It really hits the nail on the head. No sugarcoating at all.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more


That's quite a generalization, Pablo! If today's youth are being misguided maybe you could do better by providing a hand instead of prejudicial contempt? Developing an understanding across a generational divide by spending some time with an (unpaid!) intern or something might give some kid some valuable (life) experience and might lead you to realize that the world may not burst into a ball of flames once these folks take it over.

Kumbaya and what-not, that kinda stuff.


Kumbaya is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Never said I think the world will go down in flames, but never before have we had a generation expect so much, from so few, for so little effort. This may not end well, never mind the ball of flames. I'm dealing with a pair right now....they are seeing that, hmm....this work stuff, well it might be rewarding. I have hope, we just need that change.