“They are always on those devices.”
It’s not uncommon to hear older people complaining about how much time the younger generations are spending on their phones/laptops, and in some parts of the world, Gens Y and Z are regarded as “the phone-pressing” generations. Why not, when social media has progressively become the 21st-century hub of society?
Despite the stereotype, social media is not entirely the time-wasting, brain-shriveling entity that older people often make it out to be. Early adopters and smart workers have built massive and profitable businesses exclusively on social networks, and it’s simply a matter of “choosing your lanes” on time. Something as seemingly simple as running a personal page on Instagram, growing an audience, and creating a platform for advertisement has made millionaires over the past decade. The same social media destroying lives and driving young people into depression could also be an excellent avenue for creating generational wealth. Two sides of the same coin and it doesn’t have to be a game of chance – it’s entirely your choice.
According to Nick Rogers, 21-year-old CEO and founder of PvstedMedia, a successful Instagram growth company, there are two very distinct groups in the young age bracket.
He wrote on Twitter:
- Those who are building
– Businesses
– Fitness & health
– Art, music, etc
– Connected social life.
- Those consuming
– Bad foods
– Video games
– Trash music/content
Instagram was launched in 2010 and a few years later, with a large number of influencers and marketers already thriving, people were starting to believe that Instagram’s viral growth gates were closed. Rogers, determined to carve a niche for himself, created his first page in 2018 and within four months, he’d amassed a network of over 100,000 followers.
Today, his pages have grown into a massive business network with millions of followers all over social media. At almost 22, the young CEO believes that the safest bet for a productive future is to start building early.
He said: “I think the single most important reason to start building now while we are so young is because of leverage. Now, we have a leg up on technology compared to past generations. We have real leverage. This opportunity, the gold rush of the internet and social media will not last forever so it’s important to start as soon as possible while we are still EARLY!”
Rogers’ tweet of the “good and bad” list expectedly attracted a lot of contrasting opinions. People argued that young persons need certain distractions to have a proper work-life balance. However, Rogers maintained his stand on how these things easily turn into unhealthy habits that consume a lot more than leisure time. Excessive consumption of junk foods makes you generally unhealthy and unfit, pornography literally cripples the mind, video games are almost as addictive as narcotics, and of course, we are often a reflection of the kind of music we let into our souls.
Rogers explained: “Another reason why they are so unhealthy is that they don’t allow you to perform physically, mentally or emotionally at your highest level. How do you expect to get your work done when you are boozing, watching porn, and consuming negative content every day – habits that overall do not contribute to your GOALS?”
However, he added: “There is nothing wrong in my opinion with partying at the end of a big month to celebrate with the boys.” Moderation and self-control are the keys to positively thriving in a world full of alluring distractions.
Breaking away from bad habits and forming healthy ones: One bold decision and a lot of consistency
There’s no magic to it.
Bad habits are extremely easy to form and difficult to cut off. However, it all depends on how badly you want to put an end to a lifestyle that’s wasting your youthful years. People go as far as attending therapy to deal with unhealthy addictions and it’s a pretty helpful and highly recommended option. Also, networking yourself into a group of forward-thinking people with similar interests provides the positive peer influence you need.
Rogers recommends an initial separation from the people influencing you to indulge in bad habits. You can remain casual friends with them but it’s always safer to block intimate access to your life and time.
He said: “Breaking away naturally and gradually happens as you meet people with a similar mindset to yours. The easiest way right now is actually through the internet. I’ve found a group of like-minded people on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. By putting out content and growing a personal brand, you attract people who think and act like you. I can more easily relate to many business owners I’ve met through Twitter and Instagram than the people I know closely from high school in my home town!”
An upside: It’s just as easy to form good habits as it is to form bad ones. Also, you can always take “baby steps” and work your way up to real change.
– Devote at least 1-2 hours a day to watching productive tutorials video on something you relate to, such as playing a musical instrument, beauty, fitness, dance, coding, designing, painting, and so on. Make it an obligation to add value to yourself every day.
– Keep a progress chart in physical writing and be sure to update it daily.
– Take educational and informative courses online.
– Join support communities and online groups of people with similar interests.
– Sleep at least 7-8 hours each day, avoid foods high in processed sugar and unhealthy fat, and try to work out at least 30 minutes daily.
Finally, always remember that self-improvement is a continuous journey and not a destination. It takes a lot of time and effort, but it will be worth it in the end.
