Hey peeps! Your Coach is back, and let’s be real! Gen Z didn’t exactly get handed a smooth ride through life. We’ve got pandemics, economic instability, job uncertainty, and let’s not forget — the stress of “adulting” that feels like a full-time job on its own.
But here’s the twist: amidst all the chaos, there’s a little bit of magic in the way we respond to challenges. Enter: Lemonading, turning life’s lemons into life-changing lessons.
You’ve probably heard of the classic “when life gives you lemons...” phrase, but lemonading is the next-level approach. It’s not just about “making lemonade” and moving on. It's about using the tough stuff as a springboard for growth, creativity, and yes — massive transformation!
So, let me break it down. How can Gen Z truly embrace lemonading, turn challenges into opportunities, and master life’s sour moments?
Here are my thoughts…
1. Embrace the “glow-up” mindset
We all love a good glow-up story, but here’s the thing: glow-ups happen in the struggle. When something goes wrong, instead of seeing it as a setback, consider it as your catalyst for personal growth. This is where you get to redefine yourself.
Maybe you bombed an interview, or maybe you’ve fallen short on your fitness goals. That’s your starting point.
Coach's practical tip: When faced with a setback, try journaling your feelings, and how you can grow from the situation. Reframe your disappointment into an opportunity to build something even better than before.
2. Turn your “L” into a launchpad
So you didn’t get the job you wanted. Bummer. But what if you took that loss and launched your own side hustle or project?
The power of lemonading is in turning the negative into something constructive. Instead of wallowing, think of ways you can pivot and create.
Coach's practical tip: Identify something you’ve learnt from every failure. For example, if a job rejection stung, what does it teach you about the next application? Do you need to tweak your resume or practice your interview skills? Get proactive; don’t just react.
3. Make humour your armour
Life is messy, and sometimes, it feels like everything’s going wrong at once. The key to not getting overwhelmed is humour. Gen Z knows how to turn even the worst moments into memes or TikToks — and that’s a superpower! Also, this is exactly what kept me hustling too!
Coach's practical tip: Create a “fail log” — a funny, light-hearted record of your blunders, and turn them into creative content. Whether it’s a blog post, an Instagram story, or just something you share with friends, laughing at your struggles can help you accept them and turn them into moments of growth.
4. Redefine "success"
For Gen Z, the pressure to succeed looks different. Success isn’t just about a pay cheque or landing that dream job — it’s about finding meaning in your journey, regardless of the outcome.
Coach's practical tip: Change your goalposts. Instead of focusing only on end results, focus on small wins along the way — learning a new skill, mastering a habit, or simply making it through a tough week. Celebrate every progress, no matter how small...but ensure that it doesn't make you complacent!
5. Stay consistent, not perfect
Perfection is an illusion, but consistency is real. If you commit to one thing, no matter how small, and keep showing up every day, you’ll be amazed at the progress you make.
Coach's practical tip: Set small, manageable goals that you can check off daily or weekly. Whether it’s going to the gym, working on your side hustle, or just taking a moment for yourself, consistency is what will drive your success.
Gen Z don’t need to “fake it until they make it.” They just need to make it real. So, next time life gives you lemons, remember: you’re the one who gets to decide what happens next.
With regards,
Adarsh Benakappa Basavaraj
Your Coach — Master of plot twists, and poetic comebacks
