Over the last few years or so, I’ve worked with a great many young adults – normally in their early 20s and having recently finished University. The overwhelming impression I get is that they are apathetic to life. They are drawn into the negative thinking and feelings that the “recession” has created and because they have to work hard to find a job, they soon get disillusioned and enter into a “there’s no point in trying” attitude.

In many ways, it’s really easy to see why so many of our young adults are now so apathetic, it’s pretty easy to make the excuse that it’s too hard to find work these days, so therefore they have no money to go out and enjoy themselves… However this really doesn’t help them at all. I can’t imagine what damage this is all doing to them for their future lives and how this will effect their attitude as they plod through life.

What is increasingly scary is that many of them are being prescribed anti-depressants, when all they really need to do is get some exercise, get a hobby and start doing something with their lives. Those who will thrive in this more difficult economic climate, are the ones who are able to think differently and will find a way to create an income out of the things that they love to do. The truth is, there is lots of money out there to be had – I’ve met so many people recently who are making lots of money, by thinking for themselves and putting themselves out there.

This poor, depressed generation of young people in their 20s are in for a rough life. Their expectations will shape their development and future life progress. Imagine if they start out by feeling like there’s no point in trying… what are this generation going to be like in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s? Depression is only the tip of the iceberg for this generation, unless we can get through to them and show them that actually there is a huge opportunity for them out there.

What is this opportunity? Well to be honest, it’s whatever they want for themselves. Hopefully they can learn that there is an alternative to working really hard in a job you detest. If you can find a way to create an income out of something you love to do, then you are in for a fantastic life. The world is changing and this generation are either going to spiral into depression and apathy, or they will rise above it all and be the generation who create the great change that we are so desperately needing.

If there is a young adult in your life who is lost, lacking in confidence and generally sliding into apathy… recommend that they do something about it. My confidence workshop is a good place to begin, or I offer one-to-one coaching which can really help kick start them into action and then see through their goals.

This is a really big problem and it’s going to take some serious intervention to make a significant difference to these young people.