Are You a Giver or a Taker?
by Miki Saxon
Experts love to study the Millennials and make wonderful pronouncements across an entire generation.
The latest research looks at what Gen Y wants from their career—meaning or happiness.
- Meaning our lives have purpose, value, impact and usually a feeling of being connected to a larger goal.
- Happiness is more self-directed with a laser focus on ‘me’.
In everyday terms you are a giver or a taker.
Those who reported having a meaningful life saw themselves as more other-oriented — by being, more specifically, a “giver.” People who said that doing things for others was important to them reported having more meaning in their lives. This was in stark contrast to those who reported having a happy life. Happiness was associated with being more self-oriented — by being a “taker.” … Having children, for instance, is associated with high meaning but lower happiness. Having children, for instance, is associated with high meaning but lower happiness.
Funny; the giver/taker label seems to fit every person I’ve ever met.
While I’m not a trained professional, I don’t see where they are mutually exclusive—children obviously provide meaning, but they also make most parents happy.
The problem Millennial studies have is the same as the studies of the Boomers, i.e., 80 million individuals make generalizations questionable; however, one point does make a lot of sense.
Millennials have been forced to reconsider what a successful life constitutes. By focusing on making a positive difference in the lives of others, rather than on more materialistic markers of success, they are setting themselves up for the meaningful life they yearn to have…
Yup; nothing like a crappy economy to undercut an entitled mindset.
Flickr image credit: One Way Stock
