Showing posts with label Generation X. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Generation X. Show all posts

Monday, January 1, 2024

Born in 1965 and Still Running Forward in 2024

Here we are... the year 2024. This is a leap year and I'll be leaping into the final year of my 50s. As a father of adult children and a grandfather of four, I'm looking back on my life since 1965 and realizing that I'm as old as such things as the Super Bowl; the Days of Our Lives soap opera; and, the Sound of Music movie. I'm also the same age as Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.), Ben Stiller and Chris Rock. I'm also as old as Medicare and Medicaid -- both of which started in 1965. The year I was born, the Gemini Space Program continued to lay the groundwork for an eventual manned mission to the moon, which happened in 1969 when I was four years of age. And, I recently learned that I'm as old as the 630-foot-tall parabolic steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (The St. Louis Arch).

Most of the people I work with in ministry are younger than I am, and the high school teens I lead in my parish youth group are over 40 years younger than I am. In the next decade I'll retire to enjoy more time with my wife, adult children, and grandchildren. However, before then I'm going to do my very best in my role as Director of Faith Formation at the Catholic parish I am at, as well as appreciate every moment with my family, including holidays, birthdays, vacations, celebrations, and the day-to-day blessings that come with being a Dad, Stepdad and Grandad.

Being born on a Sunday in 1965, I am in the first year of Generation X. Recently, Indeed.com reported that those of Generation X "grew up with minimal adult supervision, quickly learning the value of independence and work-life balance. They also appreciate informality, are technologically adept, flexible and highly educated. Gen X tends to be natural problem-solvers, often finding creative solutions to problems. Their resourceful work style makes them excellent leaders, supervisors and team members. Gen Xers are self-sufficient, resourceful and individualistic... they value freedom and responsibility and try to overcome challenges on their own."

Having run solo and self-supported across states and countries -- often having to independently solve issues as they arise -- I see some real truth in the definition of Generation X that Indeed.com reports. I believe that my work ethic and problem-solving skills have truly assisted me in many areas of my life. I know that each generation has its own strengths, but I'm glad to have grown up in the 1960s and 1970s. The world was a far different place back then and although there are those of younger generations who don't believe that "Boomers" or "Generation Xers" have wisdom worth hearing, I do believe that my generation certainly is one to learn from.

Today, we've started 2024 and I'm going to make the most of this final year of my 50s. I'm in good shape, have no health concerns, require no medications, and am blessed to still be able to run and cycle in many ways as strong as I did in my 30s and 40s.  I hope that all of you reading this have a fantastic new year. Keep reaching for your goals and dreams!

Gotta Run,

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

I'm The First of "Generation X" -- Those Born Between 1965 and 1980

I was born in early 1965, which places me at the beginning of the "Generation X" demographic. Before I write anything else, perhaps you'd like to know which generation demographic you're in.
  • Baby Boomers (74+ million Americans): Also known as "Generation W," this demographic consists of people born mostly following World War II -- typically 1946 to 1964.
  • Generation X (60+ million Americans): This is the generation following baby boomers and often called the middle child of generations. Those in this demographic were born from 1965 to 1980.
  • Millennials (83+ million Americans): Also known as "Generation Y," Millennials were born from 1981 to 1996.
  • Post-Millenials (86+ million Americans): Also known as "Generation Z," Post-Millenials were born from 1996 to present.
Last month, Forbes magazine published an article titled, "How Generation-X Is Losing Out In Corporate America To Both Baby Boomers And Millennials." Here's a part of what was written:
Generation-X is the quiet and unassuming middle child of two loud and outspoken generations. Gen-Xers are sandwiched between the Baby Boomers and Millennials -- two of the most talked about and over-analyzed generations... Gen-Xers are now in their early 40s to mid 50s and should be in the prime of their careers. However, according to the Harvard Business Review, this group is being overlooked once again. Gen-X leaders, according to a report cited by HBR, received only one or no promotions in the past five years, whereas Millennials and Baby Boomers received two or more promotions during the very same time period... Ironically, although being passed over for promotions, this generation shows a high degree of loyalty to its employers... U.S. population trends are working against them (Gen-Xers). Due to longer life spans and insufficient retirement savings, many Baby Boomers are delaying retirement and clinging onto their jobs. Meanwhile, Millennials are looking to rapidly advance their careers. This pits both groups against the Gen-Xers. It's hard to climb the corporate ladder when there is a Baby Boomer on the upper rung. To make matters worse, the Millennials are tugging at their legs, while they’re trying to make their speedy ascent... Millennials are viewed as being overly vocal about attaining promotions or switching jobs when they are not promoted fast enough. Management is in a bind. If they don’t take care of this generation by offering promotions, more money and titles, they’ll leave. The Baby Boomers are stubbornly staying put. Therefore, Gen-X is caught in the crossfire between the two generations and often loses out to both -- with respect to career growth. According to HBR, to add salt to injury, Gen-X employees “are bearing the brunt of the workload.” The Gen-Xers are being penalized for their corporate loyalty and tendency to not make waves.
Having been in the work world for the past 35 years, I can tell you that Forbes hit the nail on the head with this article! Many of those in Generation X are losing out in the corporate world to Baby Boomers and Millennials. I've seen it in numerous workplaces. I'm aiming to stroll into retirement with my wife within the next 13 to 15 years. I'm sure there won't be many, if any, changes in the corporate environment for Gen-Xers within that time. We've been a hard-working generation that started our professional careers many years before the Internet was in existence. In fact, many of us started working in offices when typewriters were more common on desks than computers.

Generation X has higher high school graduation rates than previous generations, and has received more university degrees than any other generation. Surveys have shown that Generation X in the workplace generates the most revenue; is most adaptable; is best at building relationships; surpasses other generations in problem solving; and, excels in collaborating. In addition, Gen-Xers are said to have the best balance between work and life. It's about time for corporate America to truly recognize, and reward, the work that is being accomplished by Generation X.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso
_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
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