Understanding Generations in the Workplace

Before we say farewell to February, we want to take a moment to talk about birthday celebrations in honor of our favorite generational speaker and humorist Meagan Johnson! Happy February Birthday to Meagan and all other Aquarians 🥳 

In true Meagan fashion, she wants to remind you that every year invites new reasons to celebrate! With her unique blend of humor and expertise, we’re inspired to see that age is truly just a number – a reason to smile, a moment to reflect, and an opportunity for connection.

Celebrating Across Generations

Every generation brings its unique flavor to birthday celebrations and, more broadly, to the art of celebration itself. For as long as we can remember, families gathered in person to share a meal and enjoy the warmth of direct personal connection. Today, while birthdays have embraced technology – like a heartfelt post on a friend’s Facebook wall or an Instagram Story dedicated to someone special – the essence of celebration remains unchanged. It’s all about celebrating yourself, cherishing every win (whether it’s landing a new job or simply getting through a tough day), and uplifting those around you. “In a study about online sharing, one of the main reasons people said they share updates on social media is to grow and nourish relationships.” 

Birthday Celebrations

Birthdays are seen as milestones that blend the nostalgia of the past with the promise of the future, uniting traditions from various eras into one collective celebration. Here’s a quick look at how birthdays and celebrations connect the diverse age groups among us:

• Silent Generation (Born 1928-1945, Ages 80-97):
  Often reminiscing about simpler times, many in this generation cherish intimate family gatherings and time-honored traditions passed down through the decades.
• Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964, Ages 59-77):
  With a blend of nostalgia and modernity, Baby Boomers often celebrate with a mix of traditions and contemporary flair, honoring both memories and the present.
• Generation X (Born 1965-1980, Ages 43-58):
  Known for their independent spirit, Gen Xers value the balance of a heartfelt gathering with the practicality of planning meaningful celebrations that resonate with both tradition and innovation.
• Millennials (Born 1981-1996, Ages 27-42):
  This generation embraces the digital age, often connecting social media trends with time-tested rituals, creating events that are both current and deeply personal.
• Generation Z (Born 1997-2012, Ages 11-26):
  With creativity and a love for technology, Gen Z brings a fresh, innovative perspective to birthday celebrations, using modern tools to craft memorable experiences.
• Generation Alpha (Born 2013-Present, Ages 0-10):
  Generation Alpha’s celebrations are all about wonder, discovery, and the promise of a future filled with new traditions and endless possibilities.

Honoring Powerful Women

This February, we also pay tribute to the incredible impact of powerful women whose birthdays remind us of their enduring legacies. We celebrate Rosa Parks (February 4, 1913), whose quiet defiance sparked a monumental movement for civil rights; Susan B. Anthony (February 15, 1820), a tireless advocate for women’s rights whose leadership changed the course of history; and Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932), a film icon whose influence extends far beyond the silver screen. Their lives are a testament to strength, resilience, and the power of standing up for what is right!

A Celebration of Life, Across Generations

Birthdays remind us that life is a continuous journey, linking the experiences of the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, Gen Z, and Generation Alpha. Each birthday is a milestone that connects us to our past, celebrates our present, and inspires our future. By cherishing traditions, embracing new ideas, and celebrating both the big wins and the small moments, we honor the beautiful, ever-evolving journey of life. Looking ahead, we’re excited to carry forward this spirit into March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month!

As Valentine’s Day approaches… we reminder ourselves that February is a month of big wins, deep reflection, and meaningful connections. Super Bowl weekend has come and gone, with the Philadelphia Eagles soaring to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX! While fans are still celebrating, another big event is just around the corner—Valentine’s Day 💌 

Valentine’s Day 2025 and The Year of the Snake

Just like football, love requires strategy, patience, and teamwork. And in 2025, the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac calls for wisdom, transformation, and intentional connection.

At first glance, these two themes might seem unrelated, but both encourage us to move through life with thoughtfulness, depth, and purpose. Whether in romance, friendships, or self-love, the Snake’s energy can guide us toward stronger, more meaningful relationships! 

How to Embrace the Snake’s Energy This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day often focuses on grand gestures, but in the Year of the Snake, love is best expressed through depth, patience, and meaningful actions. Here’s how you can align with this year’s energy:

1. Be Intentional in Relationships

Whether you’re in a romantic relationship, building friendships, or strengthening family bonds, this is the year to move with purpose. Instead of shallow interactions, prioritize quality over quantity.

💡 Try this: Write a heartfelt letter, plan an experience together, or have an honest conversation about your goals and dreams.

2. Shed the Past, Embrace Growth

Just as a snake sheds its skin, we, too, must let go of old hurts, fears, and limiting beliefs. If past experiences have made you guarded, this year encourages you to heal and move forward with wisdom and self-awareness.

💡 Try this: Reflect on past relationships—romantic or otherwise. What lessons can you take forward? What are you ready to release?

3. Cultivate Self-Love & Inner Strength

Snakes are independent creatures, comfortable in solitude yet deeply connected to their environment. Likewise, this is a powerful year to strengthen your relationship with yourself.

💡 Try this: Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a solo adventure, a personal milestone, or a moment of rest, prioritize what makes you feel fulfilled.

4. Deepen Emotional & Intellectual Connection

The Snake is intelligent and intuitive, favoring deep, meaningful conversations over surface-level exchanges. This is the year to connect on a mental and emotional level, whether through shared values, engaging discussions, or mutual personal growth.

💡 Try this: Instead of just a romantic dinner, engage in a new experience together—attend a workshop, read the same book, or have a long, open-hearted conversation.

5. Bridge Generational Gaps Through Love & Understanding

Love isn’t just about romantic relationships—it’s also about family, friendships, and workplace relationships across generations. Each generation views love, relationships, and communication differently, but the Year of the Snake teaches us to listen, learn, and adapt.

💡 Try this: Watch a classic movie or listen to music from a different generation and discuss how love and relationships are portrayed. What’s changed? What remains the same? 

Love Beyond Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re strengthening a relationship, deepening friendships, or embracing self-love, this is the year to choose love with purpose. Just like a snake carefully plans its movements, the strongest relationships—romantic or otherwise—are built with patience, strategy, and growth.

And if Super Bowl LIX taught us anything, it’s that patience and perseverance pay off!  The Philadelphia Eagles’ victory shocked many, proving that underestimated teams can rise, strategies can outshine expectations, and resilience wins championships. Much like the Snake sheds its skin to grow, the Eagles shed their underdog status and left as champions.

So, as we head into Valentine’s Day and beyond, let’s embrace the unexpected, move with wisdom, and choose love with purpose! 🐍❤️

Can you believe it’s nearly February?! By now, the new year’s excitement might be starting to fade, and for many, those New Year’s resolutions are already a distant memory – especially with “Quitters Day” well behind us. But here’s the good news: the end of January doesn’t mean the end of fresh starts.

The Lunar New Year offers a perfect opportunity to reset, reflect, and, most importantly, reframe your goals and intentions for 2025!

If your resolutions are already a thing of the past or you’re just ready to approach 2025 with a little more intention and a little less pressure, the Lunar New Year is the perfect opportunity. After all, the energy of renewal and possibility doesn’t belong to just one day of the year — it’s something we can embrace at any time, especially during this festive and symbolic season.

What the Lunar New Year Teaches Us About Intentions

In Meagan’s last blog, we talked about ditching rigid resolutions and embracing flexible, empowering intentions instead. Well, the Lunar New Year offers a fantastic framework for doing just that. While January 1 is all about “new year, new me” pressure, the Lunar New Year emphasizes balance, renewal, and community. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating space for growth and inviting good fortune into your life.

The Lunar New Year celebrated across many cultures in Asia and beyond, is filled with traditions intended to clear away the past and welcome the future. Cleaning your house symbolizes sweeping away bad luck. Sharing meals with loved ones reinforces the connection. Red envelopes filled with money represent prosperity. Each custom has one big thing in common: a focus on intentional actions that bring joy, clarity, and connection.

Sound familiar? Just like the intentions we explored in January, Lunar New Year traditions remind us that the best way to set the tone for your year isn’t through strict rules or impossible goals — it’s by staying present, being flexible, and taking small, meaningful steps forward.

Intentions Inspired by Lunar New Year Traditions

1. Focus on Renewal: Clear out physical, mental, or emotional clutter to make space for new opportunities.
2. Prioritize Meaningful Connection: Spend time with family, friends, or coworkers to strengthen bonds and create meaningful moments.
3. Embrace Prosperity: This doesn’t have to be about money! Think about abundance in all forms — time, energy, or even creativity.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: The Lunar New Year is celebrated over 15 days, with plenty of time to reflect, reset, and celebrate. Use this as a reminder to mark your milestones throughout the year, no matter how small.
5. Honor Traditions While Creating New Ones: The Lunar New Year beautifully blends age-old customs with modern celebrations. Whether it’s starting a weekly ritual with loved ones, journaling your reflections, or even hosting an annual gathering, find ways to create intentional moments that bring joy and meaning to your year.

Intentional tip: Reflect on what no longer serves you — old habits, self-doubt, or even overcommitting. Ask yourself: “What’s one thing I can let go of to make room for something better?”

2025: A Year of Intentions and Celebrations

If January didn’t go as planned, or if you’re ready to reset your energy, the Lunar New Year is the perfect time to revisit your intentions and start fresh. Use this as a reminder that growth doesn’t happen in a straight line, and every day is a chance to realign with what matters most to you.

So, what’s your intention for this Lunar New Year? Whether it’s prosperity, balance, or just finding more time for rest (a very worthy goal), keep it simple, meaningful, and true to you. Remember, it’s not about how you start but how you continue to show up for yourself and your dreams throughout the year. Embrace this season as an opportunity to celebrate progress, no matter how small, and to move forward with renewed clarity and purpose. 

Cheers to a fresh start, a connected community, and a Happy Lunar New Year!

Reflection isn’t just about revisiting the good and bad things that happened to you. It’s about recognizing growth, learning from the setbacks, and setting intentions for the year ahead.

The best part? Reflection is for everyone.

As 2024 is coming to an end, it’s an opportune time to pause and reflect on the year that it’s been!

Yet, as Meagan’s last blog discusses—the holidays can be a lot. For many, this time of year stirs up a whirlwind of emotions: joy, nostalgia, stress, and sometimes sadness. Between the relentless holiday ads, packed schedules, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to feel like you’re rushing from one thing to the next. We often forget to slow down and appreciate the moments that matter—whether it’s a quiet coffee break or the laughter during a chaotic family get-together. Slowing down isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential. Taking even a few minutes each day to breathe, reflect, or simply be present can help us find calmness amid the holiday hustle. 

Why Reflect?

Reflection gives us the chance to:

• Celebrate wins, even the small ones! “By celebrating small wins, you can hone skills such as maintaining focus, goal setting, prioritizing, and organizing, which can lead to greater self-confidence and self-esteem.” – Harvard Summer School
• Learn from mistakes without being too hard on ourselves. 
• Look forward to setting goals that matter to us.

“Reflection is executive functioning. True courageous reflection galvanizes your willpower. It promotes continuous self-awareness, empowers you, ensures you are valued, and gives you the self-awareness you need to quicken achieving your potential.” – Harvard Business Review

Personalized Prompts by Generation

Baby Boomers (1946–1964)
Boomers are natural storytellers and lifelong learners, making reflection an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments while looking ahead.

“What’s one lesson I learned in 2024 that would be helpful to pass on to someone else?”

“What’s a moment I’ll cherish forever from this year, and why?”

“How can I embrace new opportunities for growth in 2025?”

Generation X (1965–1980)
Gen Xers are all about practicality and balance, often juggling family, work, and self-care. These prompts encourage prioritizing what truly matters.

“What’s one thing that made my life easier this year, and how can I build on that next year?”

“How did I show up for myself or others in ways I’m proud of?”

“What’s one boundary I set in 2024 that I want to maintain—or adjust—in 2025?”

Millennials (1981–1996)
Millennials thrive on connection and feedback, making reflection a chance to celebrate collaboration and personal growth.

“What feedback or advice helped me grow this year?”

“What connections or relationships enriched my life most in 2024?”

“How can I balance ambition and self-care in the year ahead?”

Generation Z (1997–2012)
Gen Zers, the digital natives with a cause, reflect with an eye toward impact and authenticity.

“What’s one way I made the world—or my corner of it—a better place this year?”

“What habits helped me thrive, and how can I keep improving?”

“What’s something I accomplished this year that I didn’t think I could?”

End-of-Year Reflection Prompts for All Generations

• The Wins: What were your top three highlights of the year?
• The Lessons: Which habits served me well, and which ones held me back? 
• The Surprises: What unexpected thing brought you joy?
• The Vision: What’s one thing you’re carrying forward and one thing you’re leaving behind?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Gen-Enthusiast Meagan Johnson! 

Cheers to another year together! Thank you for joining Meagan Johnson’s journey and following along. We appreciate every one of you! Please take a moment to reflect on your year, share a story or two with someone from another generation, and stay curious.

Let’s zap the gap together and make space for what matters: connection, collaboration, and kindness!