My Take on Simon's Speech

I'm not a very good speaker/writer, and I do not have the opportunity to do debates on a regular basis so I needed some time to collect my thoughts on how I feel about this speech.

Like what Brad said, I agree on his sentiments. I like some of Sinek's points, but I do not agree with his general perspective towards millenials. We can do better... basically.

So as a programmer, I will explain my point in the best way I know how:

FAQ-STYLE STRUCTURED CONTENT! (content... content.. conte..)

================

Problem: What is success?

Success right now, by some skewed definition, is a laundry list of things you HAVE TO attain to be that -- successful. The attitude we have on it is all about getting rich, finding a good spouse, having kids, buying a house, etc.. before turning 50 or something. On the short term, it seems that we want things now now now, we want things fast and we need to have things or be things to become successful one day.

Solution:

The problem is not getting hooked on instant gratification, but the real problem is the lack of appreciation of the things, people and experiences we've already achieved. Shift the point of view of 'success' from expectation to accomplishment. Look at the things you've done. The people you're around and the accomplishments you've had. Learn to value what you already have to have the motivation to want more of that. Learn to appreciate who you're with to learn how to find the right kind of people for you. Don't let a pre-conceived notion of you define you, define your notion of you with parts of who you really are.

================

Problem: Technology & Addiction

Again, this is a point of view issue. People who do not understand technology mistake dependence with addiction. It is not that we are addicted to technology, because we know better than that, but they don't so they think we're addicted but we're actually just using it extensively.

Solution:

Both educate the ones who aren't technologically savvy and teach the over-dependent on how to use technology PROPERLY. Create non-consumer-tech alternatives to what we currently have to keep things interesting. To be honest we are at the forefront of instantaneous communications. We are in an era where it's the easiest to create bridges between people of any distance, race and cultural background. Learn to treat technology NOT as a threat. Welcome change. This is how we evolve.

================

Problem: Pity, Punishment and the root cause of Depression

The whole tone of the talk can be summarized as this: "These millenials are dealt a bad hand in life. Let's not blame them and fix it for them". I hate this. It shines us a bad light and does not solve the depression problem. Moreover the whole employment landscape as so centred on punishment (lay-offs, getting fired, rules and all) and nothing has been done about this. Corporate conditions require you to reach a certain metric or be punished or laid off, which is, to be honest, the one biggest motivator or rather, de-motivator for the current generation of employees.

Solution:

The root of depression is different in every aspect of life and should be taken seriously.
Cause:		Source:
Social		Isolation
Financial	Economic Reasons

To name a few.

To be honest, yes employment can also be a cause for depression. However it is not just environmental or leadership style or co-workers, etc. We do not need to be given "a room to grow" or "a sense of accomplishment" by our corporate leaders, what we need is a change in perspective on what constitutes being a good employee and living a good life.

Given that, I'd rather stick to a company that gives me rewards such as a better work environment, a more flexible time schedule, longer vacation days in small increments rather than a company that provides a company car that I'll have to maintain. This way I can learn, as an employee, my worth to the company and this will in turn make me grow. I don't need a team building session or a therapist when all you're going to do is work me to the bone while threatening to fire me on my first mistake.

Threats of punishment and punishment itself -- this has to be reworked into a reward (or lack thereof) system instead so employees can be more motivated to work for their companies, because in a way the company will end up working for them as well... again what do I know, I'm not a psychology or business major so feel free to weigh in on this point of mine.

=================

We live in a time where there is a big shift in world culture and communication where old ways of doing things are getting more and more obsolete. Depression and demotivation can come in at any moment and we should not succumb to this. Change perspectives, learn to use tools at your disposal, appreciate what you already have and who you encounter on a daily basis, reward yourself -- and those working for you once in awhile and focus on your well-being and not a predefined definition on success.

Make peace of mind be your biggest goal and not the greatest person in the world. After all, this is your life and you're the on living it. Stop putting the blame on others. Stop putting the blame on yourself too... just stop blaming in general.

Even a 2-7 offsuit draw can result to a full house or a very good bluff if you play your cards right.