Upset & Angry Gen Xer's

I read an article today about how Generation X, in the USA, has been hit hard by many economic & social events over their lives that reinforce their depression, disdain and anger with their lot in life. I fall into the Generation X category and I rarely reflect on my situation but it seemed appropriate to reflect on. I also work in Human Resources and see people competing for jobs and view the process by which companies select individuals for jobs.

On one hand as I think about my career which has not changed much and how I have not been able to make anything happen with any writing or acting I relate to the angst & frustration of my generation. But on the other hand as I think about the hundred applicants applying for an administrative assistant job at my company and realize it will be offered to one person and not the ninety nine others who applied. A friend of mine is out of work and looking for a job and as we have met to discuss jobs he has talked about all the things he is doing to keep himself busy and all his job leads. It can be tough to find work. As I think about searching for a job and my friend I realize how very grateful I am to have a job & be productive and work in an environment with good people.

I have made the conscious choice not to go to graduate school or not to take job offers and not to move around much at my company. At times these choices were made due to life events and at times they were driven by comfort or keeping the status quo during stressful periods of life. I know of people who have taken risks and lost out and others who have taken risks and succeeded. While we cannot know how the future turns out all we can do is plan and act.

While chatting with a childhood friend a few months ago, I asked him if he had imagined his life would turn out as it has (The friend I was speaking with, has finished college, employed in his chosen field, gotten married, bought a house and has kids). He responded he has gotten to where he is in life without much planning and now that he has a wife and kids he is trying to change how he approaches life, he realizes a need to be better at planning. As I think about life and all the things beyond our control and in our control I realize I should be like my friend. I should focus on planning.