In this blog it is my pleasure to share with you an eXceptionally wonderful experience I had with a much younger woman.  Okay, now that I got your attention let’s get serious.

I did something I rarely do; I took a cold-call from a traveling salesmen.   Well, actually it was a saleswoman, but I didn’t know that at the time.  A caller contacted me using the name of an associate as an icebreaker and set up a meeting for me with a field representative; a traveling salesman, for the next day.

At eleven a.m., precisely on time, a stunningly beautiful younger woman by the name of Shelly arrived at my office.  Shelly it turns out is a 27 y.o. former tom-boy (this puts her exactly on the border of Generation X and Y—depending on the source you reference) with an Ivy-league education in marketing and sales.  She was tall and thin (she has been dating an NHL hockey player for the past six years!) but most importantly witty, funny and sharp as a tack. 

After she was done her pitch I engaged her in the real topic that concerned me.  I asked if I should worry about my son (not my just my son, but his generation).  My son is 19 and away at college; as a sophomore he is still struggling with what he wants to do for a career.  I give him the typical advice; do something you love – pursue your dreams but temper them with practicality once in a while. 

I look at things as a Baby Boomer, the current sandwich generation—still raising kids but already worried about our parents while waiting for time to be self indulgent.  Worrying that we have given our kids too much and raised their expectations to an unrealistically high level; the economy struggling etc..

Shelly reminded me of something.  Youth Springs eternal!!  She said; “I love my life!”
 
I said, “yeah, you are beautiful, well educated, well connected…”

Shelly said, “we all are if we want to be!”

She went on to tell me how much she loves her life!  She told me the reason she has adapted well is not because she is beautiful and witty (although she did admit it didn’t hurt; and did so without a hint of arrogance) but because she has some old values.  Shelly told me the reason she is successful (and I swear these words came out of her mouth) is because, I “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”

She went on to say that some of her friends are not succeeding; simply because they are not trying!  They are not playing the game.

Shelly told me the world is full of wonderful opportunity but that we do have to meet it half way; we have to “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”  The simple understanding that your boss is your boss even if you don’t like some of their techniques or methods; even if you can do it better, will make you a Star!

Shelly also told me about her sixteen year old brother and how he dresses and Texts; and talks; and on… and on…  Before my eyes Shelly started to sound like an old man sitting on a couch complaining about “these kids today!”  I ended the meeting quickly; I wanted to remember Shelly the way she was; young, vibrant, beautiful and optimistic.

It was my pleasure to meet one of Generation X-ceptional’s finest.