I read a great article in the March 2017 issue of our SDA Today.  It’s called “Do You Speak Millennial or Gen-Z?, A look into the realm of reverse mentoring and why it’s to everyone’s benefit.” It was written by one of our members, Anne McNeely, CDFA.

As a Gen-X’er and a mom of a Gen-Z’er, who, also, works with a few Millennials, I found the article was both very interesting and beneficial.

My husband and I raised our son, but we certainly feel the generational gap of technology between parents and son.  I consider myself pretty high on the totem pole of keeping up with technology and find working with software and hardware pretty easy, however; my son surpasses me dramatically, with ease.  It’s a wonder to see, but at the same time it shouldn’t be a surprise.  I started working on computers in my early teens and we had a computer before my son was even born.  Essentially my son was “born with a computer” in his hands.  With that said, this article addresses these differences and the stereotypes that come with the generational gap and how to address use programs to teach all generations to work together with ease, called Reverse Mentoring.  Reading about Reverse mentoring was exciting because I feel like I already try to do that at home, and should make sure to do this at work for my own and my firm’s benefit.  Check out this amazing article that addresses these topics, it may help ease tensions, help you work better together and learn newI read a great article in the latest SDA Today.  It’s called “Do You Speak Millennial or Gen-Z?, A look into the realm of reverse mentoring and why it’s to everyone’s benefit.” It was written by one of our members, Anne McNeely, CDFA.

As a Gen-X’er and a mom of a Gen-Z’er, who, also, works with a few Millennials, I found the article was both very interesting and beneficial.

My husband and I raised our son, but we certainly feel the generational gap of technology between parents and son.  I consider myself pretty high on the totem pole of keeping up with technology and find working with software and hardware pretty easy, however; my son surpasses me dramatically, with ease.  It’s a wonder to see, but at the same time it shouldn’t be a surprise.  I started working on computers in my early teens and we had a computer before my son was even born.  Essentially my son was “born with a computer” in his hands.  With that said, this article addresses these differences and the stereotypes that come with the generational gap and how to address use programs to teach all generations to work together with ease, called Reverse Mentoring.  Reading about Reverse mentoring was exciting because I feel like I already try to do that at home, and should make sure to do this at work for my own and my firm’s benefit.  Check out this amazing article. 

While we’re on the topic of Millennials, you may, also, want to look at the infographic, “The Multi-generational Workforce: Tips for Motivating the Different Generations,” which is available as a giveaway (in the right-hand gray area) for non-members or on the member-only Human Resources page.

How are you doing with our next generations at the office? Leave your comments below. 

L

Lynda Meyer is the Controller

for Precision Measurements Incorporated

in Virginia Beach, Virginia

The dictionary tells us that a goal is an objective that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve. A resolution is the act, operation, or process of resolving.  Resolutions are the way to obtain the goal. Goals are the end result of the resolution. In order to obtain the goal you must set up a system to achieve the goal.

Here is an example, say your goal is to get a promotion at your job.  You can try to earn the promotion from hard work, loyalty, seniority or you could set a process (system) to obtain it. Perhaps it’s taking classes to further your education or obtaining a certification in that subject area.  If your goal is to complete a marathon, you have to set up a training routine. You certainly can't expect to complete the 26 miles without any time spent training.

What are your goals for the coming year and how will you resolve to obtain them?  

                                                      Monica Hodges is the Office Manager for Barker & Associates in San Antonio, Texas.

                                                      She currently serves as the SDA National President-Elect.

I just heard a very short address by Admiral McRaven to the University of Texas called Life Lesson #1. In a short 90 seconds, he explained the importance of making his bed properly in boot camp. “It isn’t going to change the world in the short term,” he said, “ but it could change your life.”

The life lesson is, if you can master one simple, mundane task to perfection, if you make your bed in the morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day, it will give you a small sense of pride, and encourage you to accomplish another, and then another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. And making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things.

And if by chance you have a miserable day, you’ll come home to a bed that is made – that YOU made, and encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

So if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

What little thing can you start mastering today?

Betsy Nickless, CDFA, is the Business Manager for Mark Scheurer Architects in Newport Beach, California and is a member of the SDA National Past Presidents Council.