At least a couple of decades ago, successful people were measured by their possessions, that is, how many houses they had, how many cars, how much jewelry, etc. Many have heard this type of conversation as common between circles of successful entrepreneurs or people who simply had enough money. This used to be the traditional definition of success.
The New Culture Of Success: Experiences Are Worth More Than Objects
Time has brought about changes in the new generations. People who were born since 1980, called Millennials, now have another vision of what success means. And it is not a matter of principles or a religious aspect from which they have learned that the spiritual or emotional is more important than the material, but is simply based on the own culture that they have built, mostly based on their personal experiences and tastes.. Precisely the experiences of living in a world in which space is increasingly expensive, in which hours cost much more, or the environmental impact of the industry is greater, have made this generation much more practical than the previous ones.
Today's young adults have a very different perception of success than their parents. In the past, having your own home as soon as possible was synonymous with success, even at the cost of acquiring a large debt. The same thing happened with the young people of before. They considered themselves successful when buying one car, or more than one.
Nowadays, owning your own home or having your own car is not synonymous with success, at least not under the culture of these millennials. This new practical concept of success does not consider the acquisition of goods, but rather the ability to live experiences to be proud of. Instead of buying a car, perhaps it is more efficient and healthy to ride a bicycle and invest in creating a business that grows quickly or is sustainable over time. Instead of buying a house, it is more popular to go on a trip to study a Master, or simply go on vacation, immerse yourself in a new culture or learn a language. Now, competitions outweigh things. Buying property, although it is worthwhile, does not show the success that this generation wants to achieve.Why buy a car, if I can't use it every day, and there is Uber? Why buy a house if I don't want to tie myself to a place and can rent?
It should be noted that, according to many scholars on the subject, it is not that there is a lack of interest in acquiring material things, but that the range of possibilities to spend resources and demonstrate success has expanded, leaving aside what is material. Deep down, allocating economic resources on interesting experiences, or on studies or trips, has become the number 1 option.
The New Culture Of Success: Experiences Are Worth More Than Objects
And this is supported by data that express the great mobility of young adults and professionals, who do not live more than 3 years in one place, nor do they last more than 3 years in the same job, position, or field.
Thomas Gilovich, professor of psychology at San Francisco State University has said:
James Hamblin, columnist for The Atlantic, on this phenomenon has stated:
Therefore, it is not only a matter of lust and vanity, but also of being happy. The new generation wants to be more comfortable only if this implies greater happiness and social or cultural enrichment.
In addition, who has not tried buying something expensive, in comfortable installments that in the long run become a constant concern that, if not known to control, ends in stress? By looking at things from this perspective, we find sense that things do not bring more pleasure, no more success, or more happiness than the experiences they bring to the curriculum. Otherwise, most material assets depreciate over time, while having used time will be a considerable wealth advantage in a future evaluation.
The New Culture Of Success: Experiences Are Worth More Than Objects
