I’m hoping writing will add some productivity to my life; because thus far, things have been slow. I’m slow right now. Slow at work and the gym. Diet is really the only area I excel at. I’m fantastic at finding, devouring, and recommending comfort food. Probably an inverse correlation between productivity and comfort food consumed.

So, where can I get better? Why is writing even a good idea? I’ve hardly done it outside of school. What about this medium or this outlet is conducive to helping better lives? How can I tell when it’s working?

Here’s what I do know: I don’t feel like I’m giving to the world at the same rate that I’m receiving. I’m receiving a salary and pumping it back into the economy. My work is nothing, it’s not a giving profession. I won’t get into it too much, and I’m not a jaded employee. Anyone being honest with his or herself would agree with me.

So; hoping that, writing will increase productivity, SPEED me up and I’ll be able to return to my world a portion of what I’m receiving.

ON EMPLOYMENT

No shortage of thought pieces from thought leaders on the challenges of employing the MILLENIAL. What about these strange creatures provokes so much discourse?

Miscommunication is a culprit. Parents telling their children one thing, employers telling parents another, and finally employers telling those grown children something different all together. The expectations of the Millenial and the employer being different than what was communicated to the child Millenial. Here’s what parents tell children: work hard, study, embrace possibilities. Here’s what employers tell millenials: work hard, work smart, trust us.

The difference isn’t all that subtle, but employers and parents both want you to believe no difference exists. Instead of an honest conversation, one that outlines expectations, both employer and parent alike choose to mask the reality and avoid the ugly parts.

Humans and particularly Millenials are numbers to business. Really not that hard to calculate ROI on an employee, and we’re developing tools every day that make it easier. Fortunately, some employees represent employer surplus so to speak. That is, they pick up the slack or produce beyond expectation. Other employees enjoy extra paychecks because of these over-performers. But all under-performers are ultimately exposed.

This is where our employers parents have failed to communicate to Millenials what failure or being fired or terminated is. Employees are fired when their ROI becomes so negative that businesses can no longer afford to keep them. Different businesses have different ROI leashes. But more importantly, instead of “trust us,” business should be explaining to employees, “work hard and we will keep you as long as possible.” Parents should explain, “work hard and seek out new opportunities because current ones frequently evaporate.”

Better communication would solve about a gizillion problems in the world. I don’t want that to be the theme of this post. I wrote this for selfish reasons. Purely to start the ball rolling for me. I’m trying to get back to ROI positive and I’m hoping writing speeds that up.