Tip
We are not designed to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day and demonstrate optimal concentration and focus. That’s just not how our brains are wired. After 20 to 40 minutes (depending on the person) focus and concentration wanes. Organizations understand this and allow for breaks throughout the workday. Sometimes though, just a minor distraction (like a quick check on Facebook or a quick Twitter update) can do the trick.
Rant
So glad that you wrote a book on what to do with the frustrations I feel with Gen Y! It was review time and I gave Allie (my Gen Y) and outstanding review, which resulted in a nice raise. I’m proud of the work she’s doing. I thought she would be proud of herself. Instead, she wondered why she isn’t being promoted. I wanted to scream, “How about the fact that you have only worked here for two years and you have several years in your career before you would even be considered for a V.P. position?” I fear that everyone in this generation wants to be working in top-level positions.
Raves
If you really listen to your Gen Y it could just make your work life easier. We have a lot of telecommuters in our office and once every two weeks we hold team meetings. The telecommuters are required to be present during these meetings. However, times are tough with the economy and we need to cut expenses. One of our Gen Y staff suggested that we utilize web-based conferencing so that the telecommuters can be virtually present in the meetings, thereby reducing overall costs for travel. Now our telecommuters are only required to make meetings one time a month.
