Just Hanging Around ...

Thank God it’s….Monday!! Who says that? The real battle cry in the workplace is usually “Thank God it’s Friday!!” And if you’ve got a three- or four-day weekend ahead, I guess this is as close to work heaven as some people get.

Imagine though, if on Friday the “boss” came up and said, “I know how much you look forward to weekends and time off. I have good news for you! You don’t have to come in Monday. Or any future Monday. You’ve been replaced by a robot!” Most people would not reply with, “Thank God it’s Friday!”

In my world growing up, everyone I knew anticipated that they were headed into the workplace to do…something. Figuring out what that was and how to get there were the challenges. And certainly, you hoped the work was meaningful and rewarding.

To advance, we were encouraged to set goals. To put in extra effort. To show we cared. In other words, to work hard.

Perhaps those are bygone days. Vox magazine recently published a series of articles in an issue they called, "The Future of Work." One article I was particularly drawn to was titled, “Gen Z does not dream of labor.”

Who fits in “Gen Z?” The Pew Research Center decided a couple of years ago to use 1996 as the last birth year for Millennials. That meant anyone born between 1981 and 1996 would be considered a Millennial. Anyone born from 1997 onward is part of a new generation. Thus – Gen “Z.”

What characteristics define these folks? McKinsey and Company published their research and wrote, “Our study…reveals four core Gen Z behaviors, all anchored in one element: this generation’s search for truth. Gen Z’ers value individual expression and avoid labels. They mobilize themselves for a variety of causes. They believe profoundly in the efficacy of dialogue to solve conflicts and improve the world. Finally, they make decisions and relate to institutions in a highly analytical and pragmatic way. That is why…Gen Z is ‘True Gen.’”

But hold on. It seems that these Z-meisters have other ways of thinking, too. Especially worked related. As shared in the Vox article, “On TikTok and online, the youngest workers are rejecting work as we know it.” As one viral TikTok rant said, “I don’t have goals. I don’t have ambition. I only want to be attractive.” (Well, don’t we all!)

Heere’s another gem from the TikTok crowd: “I don’t want to be a girlboss. I don’t want to hustle…I simply want to live my life slowly and lay down in a bed of moss with my lover and enjoy the rest of my existence reading books, creating art, and loving myself and the people in my life.”

How did I possibly miss the boat on this style of life?? It might have had to do with raising a family!! Hello, real world!

The Vox article has several juicy tidbits that educate us on this new way of thinking. Or not thinking. You’ll find the link below.

Perhaps these TikTokker-GenZ people checked out the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. There you will find ample frustrations by the author – likely Solomon – that a life of vexation is not worth living. “‘Futility of futilities,’ says the Teacher, ‘futility of futilities! Everything is futile!’ What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 (Berean)

A few chapters later we find, "So, I'm all for just going ahead and having a good time—the best possible. The only earthly good men and women can look forward to is to eat and drink well and have a good time—compensation for the struggle for survival these few years God gives us on earth."  The Message, referring to Ecclesiastes 8:15.

Of course, the Preacher did not sit around on his duff all day hoping to be attractive. Apparently, he already was. Instead, he worked like a dog—perhaps as hard as anyone (or more) in his day. And accumulated mucho stuff.

The do-nothing, no-ambition lifestyle will leave a huge void if adopted. Like—no food. No cars. No heat or air conditioning, etc. And worst of all, no TikTok!!

Hmmm…let me think about that—while I lie here waiting to become handsome. (No comments, please.)

That’s Forward Thinking. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

You can find a number of YouTube episodes and podcasts of Mark’s program, Moving People Forward at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosyuBzdSh1mXIas_kGY2Aw?


For more information on the Elfstrand Group, please visit www.elfstrandgroup.com


Articles of interest:
https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22977663/gen-z-antiwork-capitalism
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies