What My Good Ole Timers Can Learn from Gen Z

Hey, beautiful! Grab your favorite drink, and let’s talk honestly—the kind of conversation we don’t always have but should.

I don’t know about you, but growing up was fun. Most of our time was spent outside running, playing, dancing in the rain, and, yes, even showering in muddy puddles. LOL. No selfies, no filters—thank God!

We grew up in a culture rich in values and responsibility. And while there are traditions we should hold onto until Jesus comes—like community is strength and honoring our elders, not because they demand it but because it’s the honorable thing to do—there are also some mindsets we need to let go of.

Today, I want to talk about something that has quietly shaped many of us: the lack of open affirmation and validation from our parents.

Let’s be honest. Many of our parents loved us deeply, but they didn’t always express it in words. Instead, they showed it through sacrifices, like selling their only milk cow to send us to school or lending their kids money to start that egg business. 

In their world, love was action, not words.

While we never questioned their love, it also made many of us hesitant to own our strengths. Speaking of our abilities and what we are good at feels awkward. I stand to be corrected, but I believe this comes from an unspoken rule: if you talked about what you were good at, you were seen as “boastful.” or being a big mouth.

So, we learned to downplay our skills and abilities—waiting for someone to say it on our behalf instead of stepping up and saying, “Hey, I’m great at this!”

But here’s the problem—what if no one steps up for you? 

What if they keep quiet when you desperately need that customer, contract, or win?

I wrote all that to say this: We need to change our mindset and the way we see and interpret things. If we are going to have notable success, we must embrace owning our abilities and skills.

We must get good at stepping up and saying what we are good at, which translates to marketing ourselves, our services, and our goods—with NO SHAME.

One of my mantras since starting my gig has been “No Shame in the Game.” My goal is to empower women to own their stories and live boldly through faith.

For those still doubting, take a good look at the younger generation, Gen Z, and below.

My goodness! These people are outspoken. 

They know what they want and can do and are not scared to show and tell all of it. They dont leave you guessing.

I think we, the old-timers, can learn a thing or two from them. 

Now, before you tell me they need to slow down, as there are two sides to every coin, please hear me out. 

I want to focus on the strength of stepping up to own your hustle and abilities without hesitation and without shying away.

Truth be told, we have all admired this in the younger ones. So this year, if we’re going to do well, we have to step up and OWN OUR ABILITIES. 

Whatever you do, whether it’s cooking, washing, farming, speaking, etc, no more dimming, shrinking, and waiting for someone to validate us.  

Believe in your abilities and tell people what you do; nobody should make you feel some type of way. 

Own what you do.

Above all, trust God.

So tell me—what’s one thing you’re good at that you’ve never told anyone? 

Drop it in the comments boldly!