Seth Godin always resonates with me. I was writing this article here (started on December 22, 2009) and came across a recent post of his titled: Welcome to the Frustration Decade (and the decade of change). Seth kicks off by mentioning a major trend of Change:

Change: The infrastructure of massive connection is now real. People around the world have cell phones. The first Internet generation is old enough to spend money, go to work and build companies. Industries are being built every day (and old ones are fading). The revolution is in full swing, and an entire generation is eager to change everything because of it. Hint: it won’t look like the last one with a few bells and whistles added.

Connectedness is serious. I know what others are working on, how their lifestyle looks, and I can follow it in real time.  If my life is nothing like theirs, I start to ask why? We’re working on a global level while sitting in our queen size beds earning a living.  We’re building our own companies on $100 and they are growing.  We’re going to be building upon the connectedness platform.

I actually look at the change as a renaissance instead of a revolution.

Frustration: Baby boomers are getting old. Dreams are fading, and so is health. Boomers love to whine and we love to imagine that we’ll live forever and accomplish everything. This is the decade that reality kicks in. And, to top it off, savings are thin and resource availability isn’t what it used to be. A lot of people ate their emergency rations during the last decade. Look for this frustration to be acted out in public, and often.

Frustration is happening at more levels than just the baby boomers. I know because I am hitting it first hand. Frustration hits as we realize that we are living our life in a way that we never even dreamed it.  The belief that we are immortal has got to end.  You and I shouldn’t have to go through a near death experience to realize that we were never alive in the first place.  I think I’ve mentioned this quote before, but I want to mention it again.

Probably 5 years ago, near the end of my other call centre job, a man was having trouble paying his hydro bill.  I took payment arrangements (I wasn’t collections).  This older man called up to tell me that he will pay his bill but needed more time.   He was sick.  He told me something that made me leave the phone after the call ended.

I always thought retirement was about going to relax in Florida.  I never expected it to actually be going in and out of the hospital.

Do what you love! Do it while you have your health.  Think about mini-retirements throughout your life.  This decade is going to be about Meaning and Purpose! Let me play with Seth’s trends again:

Meaning (change)

Change brings new possibilities for more people to pursue meaningful connections. Our mass connection is allowing us to see options that were never there before – this is especially true for baby boomers. They’ve never seen such a connected world.  With the help of a younger generation, one that’s trying to connect on many levels, the frustrated boomers can learn how they can take advantage of the Internet.  It’s going to be a lot of their questions that will help shape creative design and companies online.

The change is also important for how the Internet generation is going to go about work/life as they finish school or avoid post secondary all together.  The near invisible barrier of entry will allow younger and younger people to pursue their passions. They’ll be able to pursue it and build their authority long before they ever need money.  These young people will be doing it because they care and find it interesting. They will have all of the trust long before they ever require anything back from their readers.  The only motivation will be what it means to them and how it makes them feel.  The feedback from readers will fuel them. The kid next door just started a business with his 100$ (2 months allowance).

Purpose (frustration)

The frustration to come from a life wasted will steer us in the direction of purpose. Finding purpose is the antidote to your frustration.  First, you have to surrender to the frustration that’s overcome you and ask what can be done to eliminate it.  I believe this is an exercise that is often put off. We’re scared to ask the question because we don’t know if there will be an answer provided.  If you listen long enough, the answer does come.  The same thing that brings change (and meaning) will allow people to move past frustration and towards their purpose. While savings were thin and dreams were fading, you’ll hopefully notice that young people are starting businesses with $100.  Baby Boomers will be able to set up shop and pursue what they’ve always loved before they see retirement. Starting a blog will be a big part of this movement.  While social security was a scary topic, income will be supplemented with income streams built using the Internet and the connectedness of people.  We don’t live forever, so the best time to live your purpose is today.

Soft Conclusion

Everyday I am blown away with the connectedness of the Internet. I feel so thankful for the ability to write, photograph, and create but I’ve even more thankful to be able to share it all with the world.  I want to help other people that feel disconnected, lost, and stuck to see how precious our life is right now.  Passion is great.  You love something! How can you take that passion and change the world? Change your relationships?  Turn your frustration into purpose driven change.  Remember to think about where your passion comes from.  Why are you so passionate on a particular subject? It’s these values that will provide you with meaning. It’s up to you to be driven by purpose and meaning, so that your passion for the subject comes through.