Watch: All Work + All Play

“Loving your work will put you in motion.”

The way we work influences new trends and behaviors in society. This video shares several important insights on the evolving workforce from the 1960s through today. It was created by Brazilian research firm Box 1824, which specializes in behavioral sciences and consumer trends. A brief recap of work trends:

— For the baby boomers of the 60′s and 70′s, rules and boundaries between work and life were a lot clearer. Workplace institutions represented security and social status.

— But boomers worked a lot. This had to do with keeping a deep sense of discipline and honor. Daily sacrifices would guarantee family security and the promise of a big payoff in retirement was motivation.

— Gen X redefined the time relationship between work and reward. This super confident, extraverted, and very competitive set was driven by a desire to achieve quick growth. The old model of workplace mentorship and loyalty was circumvented by earning a formal degree to get ahead of the competition. Work/life balance also shifted. Business time was extended into the “happy hour,” and being in the “right place at the right time” would define the work schedule. This mix between personal and professional life turned a workaholic into someone who was admirable and even sexy.

— Today’s vision of success is defined by fulfillment and purpose. For Millennials it’s more important to enjoy the ride than to make it to the final destination. The speed at which millennials connect with the world sets the pace for their work relations. It’s all about exchanging knowledge no matter your age. Millennials find empowerment in discovering things on their own and it’s natural to diversify their channels and seek out informal types of education. In the end, professional commitment is not just the norm, it’s something that naturally comes from truly engaging experiences. Besides having a job, it’s more important to have a purpose.