From “What the %#$@?” to a Wise, Tenacious, and Fearless You
Christine B. Whelan
Generation WTF
Details and Description
Description
Templeton Press has built g a website, www.generationwtf.com, that is a launching point for surveys, quizzes, advice from the author, and questions from Generation WTFer’s just like you! Come and join the discussion!
We all know what “WTF” usually stands for: it’s an exclamation of frustration and anger, and it’s an understandable reaction to the tough new economic realities that have hit young adults harder than any other group. WTF happened to promises of a bright future? What happened to the jobs? And what do we do now that the rules have changed?
Recent college grads were raised in a time of affluence and entitlement, lulled into thinking that a golden future would just happen. With few role models to teach values like thrift, perseverance, and self-control, young adults are ill-equipped to cope with sacrifice and failure, and their dismal employment prospects are merely the most visible symptom of greater challenges.
Fortunately, it’s not too late to change course. This optimistic, introspective, and technologically savvy generation already possesses many of the tools they need to thrive—if only they learn to harness the necessary skills for success.
In Generation WTF, Christine Whelan does just that. Dr. Whelan, one of the foremost authorities on the history of the self-help genre, worked with more than one hundred young people to test and tweak the very best old-school advice and personalize it for the modern twenty-something. After a decade of researching the industry—and years advising “WTFers” as they struggle to make their way in the “real world”—Dr. Whelan knows firsthand what advice works and what Generation WTF has to offer.
Rather than focusing on the frustration that “WTF” usually stands for, Dr. Whelan leads the charge to reclaim the acronym as a battle cry for a positive future: Generation WTF will be a wise, tenacious, and fearless generation, strengthened by purpose and hope. This practical new guide will show these WTFers the way to success and instill lasting habits that will serve them well in both good times and bad.
Table of Contents
Introduction / 1
- What Happened? And Where Did All the Jobs Go? / 3
- The Experiment That Could Change Your Life / 5
- How to Read This Book / 9
Part I: Get Wise
Chapter 1: Who Are You? Why Understanding Your Values Is the First Step to Success / 13
- What Are Values? / 16
- How to Live Your Values / 17
- Is Your Internal GPS Leading You in the Right Direction? / 20
- Finding Your Purpose / 21
- Putting It All Together: Your Personal Mission Statement / 28
Chapter 2: Get Honest with Yourself: The WTF Guide to Journaling / 35
- WTF Is Honesty? / 36
- Top Honesty Advice: Grab a Journal / 39
- WTF Did I Just Learn? / 51
Part II: Get Tenacious
Chapter 3: Got Goal? The SMARTER Way to Achieve / 55
- Why Do I Need Goals? / 55
- The SMARTER Plan for Success / 58
- Create Lasting Change the SMARTER Way / 59
- The SMARTER Plan in Action / 60
Chapter 4: Self-Control: Your Key to Self-Improvement / 77
- Is the Way You’re Working … Working? / 78
- Want a Marshmallow? The Mischel Experiments / 80
- What Is Self-Control? / 82
- Seven Steps to Amp Up Control of Your Life … Starting Now / 85
- Dieting: A Case Study in the Challenges—and Possibilities—of Self-Control / 102
- Putting It All Together / 106
Chapter 5: Procrastination and Stress: The Dysfunctional Relationship That’s Holding You Back / 109
- Do You Procrastinate? / 110
- Meet Mr. Procrastination and Ms. Stress / 111
- Why Am I So Stressed Out? / 112
- What Is Procrastination? / 113
- The Epic Battle of Procrastination vs. Self-Control / 118
- Frazzled and Stressed? Be Nice to Yourself to Boost Self-Control / 122
- Urgent vs. Important: Stephen Covey on Overcoming Procrastination / 124
- Breaking the Procrastination and Stress Cycle / 129
- WTF Did I Just Learn? / 131
Part III: Get Fearless
Chapter 6: Thrift: Old Word, New Secret to Success / 135
- Money and You / 136
- Materialistic Much? / 137
- First, a Little Background / 138
- Step 1: Learn What Thrift Really Means / 140
- Step 2: Understand Your Money Psychology / 143
- Step 3: Generation WTF Solutions for Thrifty Living / 149
- WTF Does My Money Go? / 157
Chapter 7: Become a Fearless You: The Five Life Skills You Need to Know / 183
- Life Skill 1: Smile (Seriously) / 184
- Life Skill 2: Admit It When You’re Wrong / 186
- Life Skill 3: Avoid Arguments by Thinking Win/Win / 188
- Life Skill 4: Interview like a Pro / 195
- Life Skill 5: The Importance of an Honest Day’s Work / 199
Chapter 8: Make Meaning: Thinking Outside the “You” Box / 207
- Create More Meaningful Friendships / 211
- Create More Meaningful Relationships / 221
- Create More Meaningful Communities / 234
- Don’t Know How to Start Giving Back? Try This / 235
- WTF Did I Just Learn? / 243
Conclusion: Generation WTF: 5 Things to Do Before You Put This Book Away / 245
- So What Next? / 248
- Finalize Your Personal Mission Statement / 248
- Join the Generation WTF Movement / 249
- Remember Your Core Values / 249
- Set a Goal—and Accomplish It—This Week / 251
- Spread the News / 251
Acknowledgments / 255
Appendix: A WTF Advanced Calendar Strategy to Keep You on Track / 257
- Victory: More Helpful Tips / 263
Notes / 265
Resources / 275
Endorsements and Reviews
Endorsements
I’ve spent most of the last thirty years teaching and advising undergraduates at top colleges and universities, and believe me when I say that today’s young adults can benefit tremendously from the wise and practical advice that Christine B. Whelan so smartly yet succinctly offers in this truly superb self-help book. Deeply informed by both real scientific research and up-close engagements with thousands of students and recent graduates, Whelan is her generation’s timely guide to timeless truths about how honesty, self-control, giving back, and other virtues matter most when it comes to living a life that is personally joyful, professionally successful, and truly meaningful. And if you are, like me, an older person whose eyebrows raise at the book’s title, don’t ignore its subtitle, for what’s between the book’s covers are life and leadership lessons that will help the young people you care about to become “wise, tenacious, and fearless” in ways that will last them a lifetime.
Reviews
Journal of College Student Development—Vol. 53, No. 4
7/1/2012
Although described as being written for upper-level college students and early twenty-somethings, the book has broader potential. Its message not only addresses serious life issues, but also issues linked to student learning and success. It would fit into a first year experience seminar easily. Directors of learning centers can also find highly useful concepts and approaches to working with students, especially those with academic concerns. Student Affairs staff working with student staff or developing workshops for students can also mine the book for topics and excercises.
Journey Online—journeyonline.com/au
7/2/2012
While Generation WTF is definitely geared towards the 18 to 25-year-olds, it deals with challenges we all face: budgeting, prioritising, and relationships both personal and professional.
For those of you not part of generation WTF, this book will give you a valuable insight into the particular issues faced by this generation.
Insights—Online Review (www.insights.uca.org.au)
2/8/2012
While Generation WTF is definitely geared towards the 18-25 year olds, it deals with the challenges we all face: budgeting, prioritising and relationships both personal and professional. For those of you not part of Generation WTF this book will give you a valuable insight into the particular issues faced by this generation.
Spirituality and Practice Website
4/21/2011
Rather than drown in the dreadfulness of the contemporary scene, Whelan, an expert in self-help books, has fashioned one of her own filled with rich thematic material, exercises of all types, and real-life experiences of Generation WTFers. By the way, the letters stand for the author’s prescription for uplift in the face of doom and gloom: Get Wise, Get Tenacious, and Get Fearless. Whelan also provides this generation with wisdom tips from bestselling authors including M. Scott Peck, Suze Orman, Stephen Covey, and Dale Carnegie. —Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Library Journal
11/15/2010
Whelan (sociology, Univ. of Pittsburgh; Marry Smart: The Intelligent Woman's Guide to True Love) gears this guidebook to 18- to 25-year-olds who feel like the rug has been pulled out from under them in terms of employment and finances. She empathetically acknowledges the problem but moves into a “What are we going to do about it?” mode. Through thought-provoking quizzes and questionnaires, Whelan helps readers look honestly at their goals, self-control issues, relationships, and money management skills. Unlike many books of this nature, the writing doesn’t come across as condescending or too hip and provides a positive path to a productive life.
Publishers Weekly—Online Review
11/8/2010
In this guidebook, sociology professor Whelan provides frustrated 20-somethings a roadmap to success in harsh, post recessionary reality, using her own WTF formulation: wisdom, tenacity, and fearlessness. Her hands-on self-help program, the result of a decade-long analysis of bestselling titles, from Scott Peck's legendary The Road Less Traveled to Suze Orman's Money Book, emphasizes the importance of determining (and remembering) values and purpose; she advises on everything from handling procrastination and stress to finding love and managing finances. Firsthand accounts of actual generation WTF-ers demonstrating the effectiveness of Whelan's techniques abound. Furthermore, the book involves a great deal of reader participation, making this solid book a tangible experience as well as an informative and inspirational one. Whelan's intent is pragmatic and meaningful: to create a sense of clarity in a universe of tormenting uncertainty. (Jan.)