By Michaela Gordoni
A generation previously labelled “lazy” and “unwilling to work” throws out that reputation with a new goal under the new term “the great lock-in.”
It’s a TikTok trend that’s all about “locking in” on work, fitness or your personal goals from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.
“The Great Lock In is really about you defining what moves the needle for you and giving yourself permission to pursue that in a way that’s sustainable and scalable over time,” said Katie Glenn, a social media user.
Fortune reported that it’s Gen Z’s response to pressure in an economy that doesn’t reward their hardest work. It’s also an indicator of how self-driven the generation is.
Related: ‘It Is Toxic’: Gen Z Leave Major Social Media Platforms
“Gen Z professionals are rewriting the rules for how to get ahead at work,” said Amanda Augustine, a career coach and spokesperson for career.io. “They’re intentional about how they spend their time, focused on building skills, and becoming resilient in the face of uncertainty.”
Career security TikTok videos have gathered over 130k views in the last six months. Recent research indicates inflation has led to more Gen Zers living at home, going out less, drinking less and having fewer romantic moments.
Over half of Gen Z say income inequality and lack of opportunity are their primary concerns. They look for opportunities that match with their value systems and aren’t just after money. Over half admit that hard work, as opposed to luck, is what drives success.
However, many believe the system is rigged and that their efforts aren’t rewarded.
Many use digital tools to improve their work performance, like chatbots for interview and resume help.
British Vogue reported the trend removes “fun” from Gen Z’s lives. But it’s all about how you look at it.
One mom added her spin to The Great Lock In to focus on quality time until Dec. 31. She’s locking in on the good stuff.
“By midway through September, my calendar is usually filled up with every weekend blocked…,” Everymom writer Patty Schepel explained. “But this year, I’m prioritizing fewer events and more casual quality time together. While we’ve traditionally stacked up on any holiday event that comes our way, I’m scaling it back. This looks like one thing per weekend or day, and committing to rest.”
Whether Gen Z is locking in for the work hustle, fitness goals or other things, it’s important that they don’t keep things too heavy and let themselves take a breather every once in a while. The generation has enough mental health issues as it is.
Read Next: Gen Z Ditches Social Media for #MonkMode Trend
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