Lifestyle

Instant Gratification Is The Downfall of Generation Y

by Elite Daily Staff

Our generation's aspirations are hindered by our unfortunate conditioning to a world based on instant gratification. This hindrance is duly expressed in our purchasing habits--our incessant drive to acquire frivolous, expensive items that lose their value in our eyes in the brief moments after purchase.

It is akin to lust--once we accomplish the goal at hand, the worth of the item rapidly diminishes in our eyes. We seem incapable of resisting what we want even in circumstances when this desire directly contradicts what we need.

Modern advancements like the credit card and online shopping permit us to make effortless purchases. No longer does one need to search far and wide for a desired item; two simple clicks--or even one on super sites like Amazon--and whatever your wallet can buy is in your possession.

This scenario becomes decidedly grim when one begins to purchase items on credit that greatly exceed what is affordable within their budget. You see, our acclimation to handouts and seemingly ingrained fear of arduous work spurs us to make irrational decisions.

We are inclined to believe that what we desire supersedes all; we want gratification without any of the effort required to attain it. If it were required that we put forth substantial effort to acquire what we yearn for it seems improbable that we would make frivolous purchases. Consider this: If you had to do 40 hours of manual labor a week and race around town to find that Tom Ford suit, do you still think you'd have that $10,000 credit card balance. Ponder that for a second, Elite.

Having established the problems our generation has with wealth retention, we must now reflect on how your spending habits impact your work ethic--negatively impacting your success with wealth acquisition. Generation Y is notoriously famous for its sense of entitlement among the higher ranks.

We want the top position from the start. We do not wish to work through the ranks like generations past. Quite a few of us believe that starting in the mail room is simply beneath us. The classic fabled ascent from rags to riches? Nonsense. Our generation simply wants the riches.

This is a detrimental mindset and a poor approach to success. We have mentioned it on countless occasions; No one achieves great success without substantial hardship. Your belief that you are an exception to this rule will only be a hindrance to your progress.

Starting at the bottom of the totem pole will humble you and teach you valuable lessons on how to remain focused, stay determined, and persevere. In addition, once you attain success you will be substantially more satisfied with yourself than you would be with a handout.

Some of you may have a dearth of experience with hardship, but we are confident many of you have had at least one experience in which you went to great lengths to acquire something you deeply desired. Perhaps you can recall saving up for your first car in high school.

At the time of purchase you were surely overcome with a feeling of utter elation. This is the fruit born of hard work, Elite, and this is precisely why you should be willing to endure the humbling ascent to the top. You will be a better asset to society because of it.

Elite