Millennials Keep It Optimistic for 2009
Economy in the crapper? Unpredictable job market? Everything’s going to be just fine, that is, if you ask someone born in the 1980s. With 2009 finally here, my Millennial cohorts (and I) are looking to the new year with positivity. Hey, someone has to, right?
According to an omnibus survey conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of Pepsi, four out of five Millennials are hopeful about the future as the New Year approaches, and nearly all surveyed (95%) agree that it is important for them to maintain a positive outlook on life.
Millennials are most optimistic about their overall well-being (84%) and their relationships with family and friends (81%), and are significantly more likely than their older counterparts to be optimistic about their careers (77%, vs. 66% of Gen Xers, 59% of Baby Boomers and 22% of Post-War Americans).
Other findings include:
- 74% of Millennials find that supporting causes make them feel more optimistic
- 77% of Millennials report having a strong sense of optimism about their careers
- 95% of Millennials make positive associations when they think of the word “change,” associating it with “progress” (78%), “hope” (77%) and “excitement” (72%)
- 67% of Millennials say that the election of Barack Obama is making them feel optimistic about the future of the country
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: 2009 will be exciting. And it’s good to know I’m not alone in thinking that this year holds promise. Happy New Year!
[via Mediapost Research Briefs]
Buzzing Bees, Honey | Comments (5)5 Responses to “Millennials Keep It Optimistic for 2009”
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Maybe this is just me being a Millennial, but I can’t imagine a good reason to *not* be optimistic. Forgive me for sounding like The Secret, but it’s so much easier for positive things to happen when we don’t carry on like there’s a dark cloud looming above.
I sincerely hope that the optimism cited in the report isn’t simply youthful and short-lived. In a world where there is so much potential, it really can be a catalyst for positive change, which is something we could all use a little more of.
And wow, does that Spice Girls video bring back interesting memories.
Being the Boomer that I am, it makes me happy to hear that young people like you are not totally down in the dumps over the horrid economic news hitting the media every day. A positive attitude helps most things in life, so stick with it, keep that chin up, use that brain, and of course that gorgeous smile to brighten someone’s day! Keep looking on the bright side!
Hey Amanda, I agree here. If you haven’t read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell yet, he brings up a really good point about our generation and our so called sense of “entitlement” and how it’s not such a bad thing. Basically he talks about how our parents taught us to be entitled to be happy and entitled to find answers for ourselves, so of course we are going to be excited about the new year. Hopefully this new year brings us prosperity!
Bob, I agree. It’s easy to have a negative outlook, but being optimistic definitely brings better outcomes.
Mom, you’ve always taught me to have a positive outlook and to keep a smile on my face. Parents like you have made my generation the optimistic people we are. :D
Matt, I haven’t read Outliers yet, but from your comment it seems like a book I’d truly enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation. Wish you the best in 2009.
[...] growing up a little bit more. We Millennials joined the workforce with smiles, confidence and optimism, and we knew that our smarts and savvy would serve us well in our budding careers. Sure, [...]