Today, I want to discuss two key topics that resonate with both myself and many in my generation, largely because of the way we were raised: Hard Work and Overthinking.
In this article, I’m aiming to shift the perspective on both issues, drawing from personal experiences and insights I’ve gained along the way that have helped me evolve my understanding of these two concepts.
Let’s get started.
Hard Work Doesn’t Necessarily Equat To Success
From my observation, it seems that many of my fellow millennials were raised with a strong "hard work" mentality. This stems largely from the values and expectations passed down by previous generations—many of whom believed that relentless effort was the key to success. Growing up, we were often encouraged to work diligently in school, pursue stable careers, and put in long hours as a pathway to the Ultimate Dream.
In addition, economic pressures such as rising tuition costs, housing markets, and job competition further cemented the idea that you must work hard to get ahead. While this mentality instilled in us, a strong work ethic, it has also led some, like myself, to struggle with burnout and a tendency to equate self-worth with productivity.
I am writing this to encourage you to start challenging this notion if you haven’t already. Our economy is ever evolving and time is always changing. A mentality that worked for one generation may not necessarily produce the same results for the next and hard work alone going into a digital future definitely will not.
For example: At one of my previous jobs, my eight-hour shift was jam-packed with back-to-back tasks, often with one overlapping the next forcing me to multi-task periodically. I prided myself on being one of the hardest-working employees sacrificing breaks, lunch, and even clocking in unpaid overtime just to keep up. I was the stereotypical "yes" worker, convinced that the more tasks I could handle, the better my chances for advancement. I thought that carrying more responsibilities would open doors to new opportunities.
Boy was I very wrong. The nonstop workload left no space for reflection or growth. My schedule was so overloaded that my requests for advancement were routinely overlooked; there was simply no time for additional responsibilities, and the company struggled to find anyone who could manage the volume I did in a single shift. In the end, my relentless focus on hard work ended up trapping me, leaving me stagnant and bypassing growth opportunities.
Hard work is a great work ethic to have when you need it but it’s not the only trait that matters. If you rely solely on your ability to work hard, you will work yourself into the ground. Practice the ability to step out of your schedule and aim for the balance that values working smart and taking care of your well-being as much as, if not more than, just working hard.
Overthinking
I realize I’m addressing a topic that I’ve utilized as the presence of how I write my articles. It is a trait that while I’ve come to embrace, is still something that can overpower our lives in the most negative way if we don’t understand how to control it.
From my observation, my fellow millennials seem to struggle with overthinking more than previous generations and I’ve come to my own conclusion as to why.
The Rise Of The Information Age
We grew up during the internet boom where information became widely accessible in a very short period of time. While this is a fantastic phenomenon in our timeline, the sheer volume of available knowledge also leads to analysis paralysis where overthinking prevents action.High Expectations & Pressure to Succeed
Going back to the hard work mentality, many of us were raised with the belief that we could achieve anything if we worked hard. While this was intended to be empowering, it also created immense pressure to make the ‘right’ choice in any aspect of our life. Alternatively creating a fear of making mistakes or not living up to expectations.Economic Uncertainty & Instability
Our previous generations followed a very linear career path while we entered adulthood during financial crises, rising living costs and unpredictable job markets. As a result, decision-making often came with layers of risk assessment, making each choice feel more consequential than it needed to be.The rise of Social Media & Comparison Culture
Millennials lived to see the creation and rise of social media and have a constant, curated highlight reel of other people’s successes at their fingertips. The exposure to other people’s highlight reels lead to self-doubt, second guessing and overanalyzing personal choices in comparison. The fear of making the ‘wrong’ move is now amplified when everyone else’s lives seem so perfectly crafted online.Mental Health Awareness & Emotional Intelligence
Compared to previous generations, my fellow millennials are more in tune with mental health and emotional well-being. While this is a positive shift, it also means that we are more prone to self-analysis, introspection, and emotional processing which will lead to overthinking rather than decisive action.
I hope this helps create some perspective as to why this generation in particular is more prone to overthinking and can act as a sense of comfort to let you know, you’re not alone. Our ability to overthink is largely a product of rapid technological advancements, societal pressures and ever expanding access to information coupled with past generational upbringing. On top of that, the ability to critically analyze situations and ourselves can lead to decision fatigue. It is quite - overwhelming.
However, on the flip side, we can also be the strongest and luckiest generation if we simply knew how to utilize what we’re good at.
Let me elaborate.
Utilizing Hard work
Developing a strong work ethic in someone who doesn’t naturally have it can be one of their biggest hurdles. Our generation was raised by those who took immense pride in hard work, and as a result, we’ve mastered it. The real game changer lies in our ability to harness it intentionally—knowing when to push forward and when to step back.
Utilizing Overthinking
If you’ve ever asked someone who doesn’t overthink what goes through their mind when they wake up, and they respond with "nothing, just silence"—and that answer fills you with envy—congratulations, you’re an overthinker.
But here’s the good news: overthinking isn’t inherently a weakness. When organized and directed with intention, it can become one of your greatest strengths. Overthinkers naturally excel in strategic decision-making, problem-solving, innovation, mastery, attention to detail, emotional intelligence, and relationship management—all of which are powerful skills when properly harnessed.
The real issue isn’t overthinking itself, but uncontrolled overthinking. When left unchecked, it spirals into anxiety and indecision. But when intentionally organized and directed into analysis, strategy, and preparation, it transforms into a huge competitive advantage.
I found the key to controlling my overthinking is learning when to pause thinking and start doing.