Motivated Millennials

I would like you to meet Drew and Christian. Two millennials who shared with me their perspectives and insights into who they are and their outlook of the future for their generation. These two young men are examples of being inspired, driven and passionate about life, career and potential for their success.

My name is Christian Valderrama, I am 22 years old and entrepreneurship is my passion. I’m interested in many categories that are not tied whatsoever with each other.

My name is Drew Jacoby. I am a 23 year old who is just starting my journey. Entrepreneurship is my way of life and freedom – of all kinds – is my goal. I am working every day to improve myself and take one step closer to where I want to be in the endgame.

In this dual interview, you will find out how Drew and Christian would like you to view today’s Motivated Millennials.

EB: How do you foresee your future as a Millennial in creating a successful career and fulfilling your goals?

Drew: Being born in this time period allows us opportunities that previous generations would not even be able to conceive. The major one: the internet and in turn, social media. Having grown up during the rise of these two things, it has become a part of my own – and millions of others’ – lifestyle. That being said, I have been keeping up with it, and I know that the internet has unlimited resources that I can utilize. Technology expands each day as well, so more and more possibilities come about. We have access to others’ opinion, news, and information at the blink of an eye. Knowing that the potential of evolution of the internet and technology is infinite, I trust my ability to achieve my goals using these media.

Christian: I see myself achieving them all and spreading my knowledge. I want to help others understand that it is okay to fail but important to get back up and keep going!

EB: Do you describe yourself as a visionary, strategic thinker, and decisive? Tell me more about these traits.

Drew: The words ‘visionary’ and ‘strategic thinker’ describe me nicely. I have never been one to fit into the norms just because someone – or society – says I should. I like to take my own route and dream big, because you can’t get to exciting places in life without taking the exciting route. Even when I was young I wanted to be an astronaut. Growing up I imagined owning my own business too. I am also a strategic thinker. The first thing that pops in my head when I am presented with an obstacle is “What can be done to solve this?” Keeping logic first and emotion second in times of trouble is an essential skill for me. I have not been very decisive for most of my life. The result of that was other people making decisions for me, which hindered my ability to do so. However, owning your own business AND your own life means making decisions, easy or difficult, that people are not always willing to make. Like Christian said, it’s a matter of believing in yourself.

Christian: All 3. I always envision my goal and never let myself forget what I am working for. I make sure to give myself breaks to have some thinking time to let my mind cool off. Under a time limit I am always able to achieve the goal and finish the project. Sitting back and thinking is the key! Believe in yourself.

EB: What inspires and motivates you?

Drew: Those who are successful, truly working to be successful, all while being happy. Whether that is a friend like Christian, or a world-renown person such as Tony Robbins, those who can create a success-happiness balance inspire me most.

Christian: My dreams and goals, and the fact that they won’t ever happen unless I work towards them and believe in myself, are enough to inspire me.

EB: What do you expect from the workplace that will help cultivate and motivate you to excel and achieve your highest potential?

Drew: I just need a free-flowing but quiet environment where I can be myself and stay focused. I have to be able to be myself but still pushed to improve. Also, there’s nothing like a quality desk!

Christian: Since I am always on the computer, a great desk and positive environment is enough to motivate me!

EB: Millennials are known for taking education seriously, being very skilled in technology, having strong self-confidence, able to multi-task and exhibit lots of energy. Would you say these are some of your characteristics? If so, tell me how they are beneficial for those hiring and/or working with your generation.

Drew: I take my own education seriously more than the education system itself. I use my own resources to feed my mind and have always preferred that method over being told what classes and books to partake in. I have had strong technology skills throughout my life, and peaked self-confidence in the last few years. My energy on a day-to-day basis fluctuates but overall I have a high energy and positive attitude towards life itself. That’s something that I think will be important in the future of the workplace…emotional intelligence and authenticity, especially in an age of digital media and the internet. Having people not only with a skill set, but the right frame of mind in attacking the issues, is what will benefit employers in the long run.

Christian: Being able to multitask is one of my characteristics. It makes everything a lot easier as a whole. You are able to stay focused even at the toughest of times, but are able to get things done 10 times quicker than an individual who can’t change their focus.

EB: Seeking challenges can strengthen one’s ability to rise above weaknesses. How do you view your strengths and weaknesses; and how will they guide you as you build your career?

Drew: I believe that our strengths and weaknesses are both things that can be built upon. Just because you are born a certain way does not mean that they are set in stone. Work on yourself, shape your traits and use them properly in your life. But I’d generally rather bet on my strengths than try to just mindlessly get better at things that I struggle at.

Christian: My weaknesses are something I believe I can always improve into a strength. The key is to just try and never give up, no matter how many times I fail. My strengths, with practice, continue to get stronger.

EB: Work-life balance is important. Share with me what is key to maintain this balance and how you envision your success as a result.

Drew: It’s simple: Using life as a reward for working. And, when working, prioritizing on what will benefit you the most and knocking that/those out first.

Christian: Focus on what matters most. At times you need to decide what is going to benefit you and what is not. Staying focused on your goal and the bigger picture is always the major key.

EB: Is giving back and being civically engaged a high priority? Why?

Drew: Absolutely. To be successful and fulfilled, you must provide legitimate value to as many people as possible, in your own unique way. It will come back to bless you. After all, money is a measurement of service you have given to the world.

Christian: Yes, what you give you get. The more you give, the more you get back. Always spread happiness and positivity.

EB: If you could do anything you wanted to do, what would it be and why?

Drew: Run a business, while traveling and enjoying the wonders of the world. Why? Because I yearn for freedom of all kinds, and financial freedom is the root of it.

Christian: Visiting and scuba diving every place I can. It is my dream and goal to be financially free and traveling the world.

EB: If you could have a mentor, who would it be and why?

Drew: Gary Vaynerchuk would be my mentor of choice. He has self-awareness and emphasizes that to his viewers. He keeps it 100% real, always. He is also apt in social media. He hustles and travels and enjoys every step of the process, which can be seen in his vlog Daily Vee.

Christian: Steve Jobs because he has always been somebody I’ve looked up to, especially since my career involves computers and software.

EB: What would you like those reading this interview to know about you that could shed some light on how to engage with a Millennial to bring out their best.

Drew: I am someone who has stopped listening to what is expected of me. I create my own expectations, and am putting in the work – slowly, but surely – to get myself there. I try to make every interaction and experience under my belt a positive and progressive one, in order to bring my ideal self into reality. To bring out the best of a person…I’d say stop telling them what they ‘should’ do, how they ‘should’ be, how they ‘should’ live. Even as a 23 year old I try to stop imposing my lifestyle or mindset on others. Ask them what they feel – not think – feel. When it comes to bringing out one’s potential, following your gut instead of over analyzing your scenario will help in the long run.

Christian: Believe in them, show them that you believe in them and see their potential. The ones who bring me up the most are the ones who see my goals, dreams and push me to achieve them!

Motivated millennial’s have a lot of passion and a sense of purpose. Drew and Christian have given us a clear understanding of what is important to this generation and how we can assist them to reach their highest potential.

“Be As Authentic As They Are: Millennials expect you to be upfront when it comes to answering questions, practicing what you preach, and building trusted relationships.”

~Author Unknown