The only rule of fight club is we don’t talk about fight club.

Look me up sometime on Facebook or Linkedin.

All the best from the Garden State,

Matt Gentile

Here’s something to watch for, though: All generations are currently shifting into the next phase of life because … well, that’s the cycle. Boomers are just edging into elderhood; the early wave GenXers are entering mid-life and Millennials are entering young adulthood. The GenX challenge is now to take the skills learned “off the radar” and integrate into organizations, businesses and systems, bringing the much-needed capacity to enable change and get things done – in a distinctly GenX style. It’s a challenge for a generation that has been able to be quite nimble and free-agent loving. ‘Tis the time for integration and collaboration. Millennials will provide the push (the social and professional demand for it) and GenXerw will lead with function, efficiency and development of tools.

That’s my two cents.

I grew up in Pittsburgh and I can tell you there are A LOT of X’rs who grew up working our tails off to get somewhere. The notion that we were all slackers or disinterested punks always seemed so foreign to me. If you want talk about a group who absolutely continues to confound me, it is those guys that are in their mid 20’s to early 30’s who are riding skateboards or bicycles on the XGames… I mean really, REALLY? What in the Sam Blazzes hell is that? Put the toys away, move out of your parents house and get a freaking career. I know, I know they make loads of jack through sponsorship…but what are they going to tell their grandchildren, I was the first to complate the 780 flip mode wannamaker (okay, I made that up, but you get the point). Anyway, I digress.

All I’m saying is that the same qualities that made X’rs so indistinct and alien from previous and/or future generations are the same qualities that enable change without anyone really noticing. The world we knew as children is gone and I believe X will step to the forefront an lead us to a better place.

The flip side of that is people from other generations–who still indulged in the cultural wallpaper and icons and experiences that are so emblematic of Gen X.

Interesting post…

For transparency, I will admit to be being in the physical age category of a “boomer” but I have always disliked that word and the stereotypes that go with it, which don’t all apply to me or what I’ve done with my life. In no way am I planning to “retire” any time soon, and I know many people over 45 who feel they are just now coming into their own and finding their life’s work in mid-life or older. Younger people of all generations will have that freedom to look forward to, once they’ve emerged from the defining borders of their “first careers” and other shackles (often self-imposed). I’ll be interested to see the blog posts you write when you’re 50+, especially if you keep going and growing with the passion you have now..and I’m sure you’ll gather even more passion as the times change with you.

With love and respect from one of your biggest fans,

Cathryn

This is great. I love stuff like this because it explains why I find most “generational” talk about Gen X vs Milennials (whatever that means) to be complete and utter waste of bandwidth. Please, keep it coming.

Andrew

My feelings about GenX’rs are pretty good overall. You all seem to be the last of the head-on-straight, not self-absorbed generation (roughly 16-30-ish) that I’m seeing now. Sheesh, I mean, have you EVER seen a group of more self-centered, whining crybabies? Thank goodness you X’rs are here to show them the way or we’d be S.O.L.

Keep up the good work – you’re an inspiration to us all.