What you experienced in your childhood and your teens shapes who you eventually become. The actions of a 63 year old are powerfully influenced by what they saw, felt and experienced when they were 13.

So in 30-40 years…what will Gen Y remember as their formative messages?

1. You are special!
   Generation Y is an entire cohort of the population set up for disappointment or greatness. Their parents have drilled this idea into them — that they can grow up and achieve their dreams, they always deserve the best and that everyone loves them. You can see why this causes interesting situations at the office.
2. Twenty-four-seven
   With unprecedented access to technology and media, this is a group of people that expects everything to be available, all the time, with little or no barriers in the way. They are growing up with virtually everything on-demand: PVRs, MP3 players, cellphones and the internet set up an instant-gratification reflex.
3. Heal the world
   We are the world, heal the world, save the planet, save the rainforest, global warming. The idea that the earth is in trouble is not news to this generation. This thinking is making its way into consumer purchases, even into simple handbags.
4. Are you on Facebook?
   Everyone they know, always available, all the time. This is slowly becoming this generations “Hey baby, what’s your sign?”.
5. 9/11
   A global historical event that defines a generation by creating two distinct worlds before and after its occurrence. It will forever invoke heartache.