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The 5 Stern Truths That Must Be Understood about Motivating Millennials

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The 5 Stern Truths That Must Be Understood about Motivating Millennials

Millennials are poised to drive the future of business and entrepreneurship. The 53.5 million-strong Millennial workforce has risen rapidly and surpassed Generation X to represent the largest share of the American workforce.

Millennials offer truly unique skills – they have fresh and innovative ideas, are extremely adaptable and tech-savvy making them quick learners, and are highly educated. Clear contrasts exist between prior generations and Millennials, and the most successful businesses know that the future of their business rests in the hands of Millennials who are reinventing what it means for a business to be successful. So how do you motivate a generation that’s been labeled lazy and entitled? It starts with a deep understanding of what drives them, and actually taking the time to figure out what they are passionate about.

I’ve been fortunate enough to hire and train thousands of young entrepreneurs and Millennials from all different walks of life, and I’ve paid very close attention to what motivates and drives them. When you hit their hot buttons, believe in them, and respect their autonomy, they will not only shock you but they will take your business or platform to a whole new level.

They’ve been misunderstood for years, but if you can provide them with the right tools and opportunities, they will go the extra mile for you because you will have provided them something they can believe in and get excited about. They want to do good work and make a difference, but will rebel if you try and control them.

Here are 5 stern truths that must be understood about motivating Millennials:

1. Stay new and relevant

How relevant are you when it comes to marketing your brand, or motivating your team? Are you bringing current and cutting edge research and tools? If you’re still trying to recruit people from Craigslist vs. LinkedIn you’re forgetting what year it is. Millennials want to express their creative genius, share their ideas, and have the latest technology at their disposal.

Google recently was swamped by a record 75,000 applications for 6,000 openings. That’s more than twice the 35,000 applications Harvard received this past year (also a record). Why? Because Google is relevant, encourages networking with other brilliant minds, has built an amazing culture, and values innovation.

Is your company relevant to the new economy? Is your company innovative? Is it considered a trendsetter or a trend follower? Do you take ideas internally from those you work with? Do you attract top talent because of your innovative workplace? If your answer is “no” to any of these questions, you are likely on your way to mediocrity, or even worse, extinction.

“The way customers relate to brands and how profit is generated has changed so dramatically almost every professional is being challenged to reconsider what they do in order to stay relevant.” – Simon Mainwaring

2. Get controversial

Controversy is a necessary evil of some of the best things in life: art, change, creativity, literature, relationships, and innovation- just to name a few. If you want to attract the strongest of minds you can’t be afraid to get controversial. Too many people are scared to get controversial, because of the fear of others’ reactions. That fear is warrantless.

Controversy is not only healthy but it sparks intelligent conversation and innovation. The only way to avoid all controversy would be to consider nothing you believe important enough to articulate and defend, and no truth too costly to compromise. There are already enough people inspiring with fluff and false hope. I’ve listened to thousands of audios, videos, speeches, and invested a lot of money into numerous seminars.

A very small percent of them actually give value that can be sustained past the current moment. It’s not that difficult to inspire, and anyone can share a quote, take a line from a book, or promote a video, but actually understanding people and getting them to act is a whole different story. That’s what controversy does and I fully believe opening up to different ways of thinking increases one’s wisdom and opens new doors.

 

3. Always be authentic & genuine

Is what you’re promoting in your marketing material congruent to your hiring interview and the actual opportunity you are promoting? One of the biggest reasons for bad retention is the expectations of the team member not being met or something being falsely promoted or exaggerated.

Treat Millennials like investors in your business – you must be as transparent and honest as possible throughout the entire recruiting and hiring process. Leaders lose trust and respect quickly when they aren’t doing what they promote. If you promote being on time but show up late, credibility is lost. Millennials have acute “Bull Sh*t meters.”

Inauthenticity doesn’t set well with Millennials, and if you aren’t living fully authentically don’t expect an ounce of respect from any of them. While many Millennials will likely not be able to describe or put into words what makes a company or brand truly authentic, they know it when they see it and often have a visceral reaction when something doesn’t feel authentic and genuine.

 

4. Be different and dynamic

You want people to know with certainty how it’s going to be when they join your movement. This is only accomplished when you create a polarizing point of view that might offend others, but connects at a deep level with your target audience. This will separate your market into believers and non-believers.

It’s always better to be loved / hated than to be tolerated. It becomes easier to make this happen when you give up the need to be liked by everybody. Imperative to this point is how you communicate this message. Never under any circumstance be boring. It doesn’t matter what you say, or how powerful your content is if you’re boring. How you say something is just as important as what you’re saying.

While you must be different and dynamic, you must be honest! This is non-negotiable. Millennials have pretty much seen and heard every gimmick in the book. The more transparent and honest you can be with them while communicating your message, the more loyal they will be to you.

 

5. Make it about them

Millennials can tell if you have their best interest in mind. A lot of companies churn and burn through people, focusing on recruiting instead of developing the people they already have. Retention of young superstars starts when you genuinely show them you have their best interest in mind.

We have retained people for years by pledging to them, “This can be a catalyst to your future, and whether you’re part of our team for six months or 10 years, we want to make sure you get the best experience possible, and use this opportunity to develop yourself so you can catapult yourself into your greatest contributions.” If you want to attract the world’s most talented Millennials, you can’t be afraid to lose people.

When your good people leave, do everything you can to help them in their next venture. In turn, you will create passionate advocates who will promote your amazing company to their circle of influence. Fall in love with your people, not your company or product, because it’s the people who bring a company to excellence. Companies don’t succeed, people do.

“Being authentic means that you focus on what you bring to the table. That is what separates you from others in your industry.” – Scott Stratten

We are in an economy where information, entitlement, and intentions are at an all time high, while encouragement, confidence, and authenticity are at an all time low. Designed to inspire and educate millennials in a new, more relevant way, The “Ambition is Priceless” mixtape is here.

 

Mixtape
 

The tracks are formulated to inspire sustained motivation and create real change, and do so by catching hold of an audience’s emotional state through music. Given the limited attention span of today’s generation — and their love of podcasts — this mixtape has the potential to have a huge impact.

You can download two free tracks here.

Peter Voogd is a 2x Best Selling Author, and the founder of the prestigious Game Changers Academy.  He’s been labeled the leading authority on Gen Y leadership. He’s been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, inc.com, Time, HuffPost along with many other international publications.  He’s trained over  6,000 young entrepreneurs personally and his podcasts, videos, websites, and social media reaches over 1 million people monthly.  He’s known for his No BS approach to life and entrepreneurship.

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Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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