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[CNCAppsJames]

I began my steps towards being a programmer several years before the opportunity to do it full time was even going to be a possibility.

The something for nothing generation is breathing down our backs.

Had an interesting conversation last week with someone in their 20's. This person was complaining that the older generation needed to get out of the way because "we" were hampering "their" professional progress. I had a few adult beverages in me and rather than get snarky like I would normally, I continued the conversation asking questions trying to figure out WTF this entitled kid that had been in the industry for about 5 seconds was talking about because from my seats, there is PLENTY of room for advancement for people willing to put in the work. So, over the course of an hour long (maybe a little more) conversation (95% this person ranting talking) it came down to this;
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promises made by parents
promises made by school "guidance" counselors
promises made by college professors

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which led this kid down the path of terminal dissatisfaction. Never once did this person ask me about my path. They only saw the results of being on said path. Too bad. The kid showed some possible promise. Sometimes all you gotta do is ask. The kid couldn't see that THEY were hindering their progress, not the evil boomers.
 
10,000 hours. That's roughly how long it takes to become "good" at something. Looking back on my path... that's probably not too terribly far from reality. There's just no substitute for reps and there's no substitute for time. Some people may be naturally gifted at certain things but the reality is you gotta put in the time.

[neurosis]

I've had a few 'adult beverages' myself, but I have a similar story.  I got in to a conversation yesterday with a couple of youngsters.

I hang out on a discord channel with a few of the younger generation.  They're pretty intelligent (opinion and relative) as far as I'm concerned, but the difference in how they feel that they should progress in the work place is astonishing to me.  lol   They spent two hours telling me that the boomer and our generation was the problem.    

I worked my ass off to get to where I'm at.  I spent countless hours of my own free time learning the software and learning the machinery and I saw that as a plus. They see it as being taken advantage of.  

I wont go too much more in to it.  Cocktails and all.

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I would say training has a lot to do with it as well, the resources that are available for learning are great.

I suspect a lot of it comes down to knowing how to negotiate when it comes to salary, opportunities etc.
If you are young and have abilities, your boss or manager won't necessarily notice, they are after all very busy.

Negotiation skill is needed as much as technical knowledge.
Also is there room for advancement in the company? Of course there will be times when there isn't.

I think in my early twenties I was really fired up and motivated, I wanted to learn and do everything, however, being an entitled young person, I got frustrated I wasn't advancing as fast as I would like, for all the work I put in. I definitely lost motivation somewhere a long the way and stagnated in my career.

[CNCAppsJames]

I'm sure there are instances where Boomers are plugging up the works but that's not everywhere, and more than that, it's ALWAYS been the case where the younger generation want to push out the older generation. You are more likely to find that in a Union situation where seniority rules. Good. Move on to some other place. I did it 11x in 10 years. The problem with that line of victimhood thinking (Boomers are the problem) is salty guys like myself didn't get where we are by by blaming other people for our lot in life. We put our heads down and got after it. Tried every f'n door that had a knob and even some that didn't.   The sooner one can embrace that mentality the sooner one can reap the rewards.

Play the victim... it's cool. Just know the world DGAF about your feelings. It just doesn't. It can't. The world doesn't stop when bad stuff happens. It goes on as if nothing happened. The sooner one can come to terms with that, the sooner one can become their potential.

I don't believe I have reached my full potential yet. Good thing because I gotta work until I'm dead. Besides, I've still got LOTS to learn in this industry.

There's a saying in the US Military and if you can live it, you will kick ass; "Embrace the suck!".

With that being said, I'll leave you all with this. It's helped me through some setbacks;

"How do I deal with setbacks, failures, delays, defeats, or other disasters? I actually have a fairly simple way of dealing with these situations, summed up in one word:
"Good."

This is something that one of my direct subordinates, one of the guys who worked for me, a guy who became one of my best friends pointed out.

He would pull me aside with some major problem or issue that was going on, and he'd say, "Boss, we've got this thing, this situation, and it's going terribly wrong."

I would look at him and say, "Good."

And finally, one day, he was telling me about something that was going off the rails, and as soon as he finished explaining it to me, he said, "I already know what you're going to say."

And I asked, "What am I going to say?"

And he said, "You're going to say: 'Good.' "

He continued, "That's what you always say. When Something is wrong or going bad, you just look at me and say, 'Good.' "

And I said, "Well. I mean it. Because that is how I operate."

So I explained to him that when things are going bad, there's going to be some good that will come from it.

Oh, the mission got canceled? Good... We can focus on another one.
Didn't get the new high-speed gear we wanted? Good... We can keep it simple.
Didn't get promoted? Good... More time to get better.
Didn't get funded? Good... We own more of the company.
Didn't get the job you wanted? Good... Go out, gain more experience, and build a better resume.
Got injured? Good... Needed a break from training.
Got tapped out? Good... It's better to tap out in training than tap out on the street.
Got beat? Good... We learned.
Unexpected problems? Good... We have to figure out a solutions

That's it. When things are going bad: Don't get all bummed out, don't get started, don't get frustrated. No. Just look at the issue and say: "Good."

Now, I don't mean to say something trite; I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Smiley Positive Guy.

That guy ignores the hard truth.

That guy thinks a positive attitude will solve problems.

It won't. But neither will dwelling on the problem. No. Accept reality, but focus on the solution. Take that issue, take that setback, take that problem, and turn it into something good. Go forward. And, if you are part of a team, that attitude will spread throughout.

Finally: if you can say the word "good," then guess what?

It means you're still alive.

It means you're still breathing.

And if you're still breathing, that means you've still got some fight left in you.

So get up, dust off, reload, recalibrate, re-engage – and go out on the attack."

-Jocko Willink

For those that don't like to read; here's the video.
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