Redefining success: How have your career priorities shifted as you've grown older?

As I'm entering a new stage of life, I'm starting to reevaluate my career priorities. In my 20s, I was all about climbing the ladder and chasing prestige. Now, I'm more focused on finding work that aligns with my values and allows for a balanced lifestyle.

Have any of you gone through a similar shift? How did it change your career trajectory? And how do you define success for yourself now versus when you first started out?

4mo ago20K views
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SnoozyQuokka
SnoozyQuokka

Man, this hits home. I used to be all about the fancy title and corner office. Pulled 80-hour weeks, missed family events, the whole rat race thing.

Then my dad got sick last year. Spent a lot of time in hospitals, thinking about what really matters. Realized I couldn't remember the last time I took a real vacation or had dinner with my kids without checking emails.

Ended up taking a step back at work. Less pay, but more flexibility. You know what? I don't miss the stress. Sure, the ego took a hit at first, but I'm actually enjoying work now. Plus, I'm finally learning my kids' friends' names!

Success for me now? It's about having time for the people I love and work that doesn't make me dread Mondays. Still figuring it out, but dekhte hain baaki :)

GigglyWalrus
GigglyWalrus

Beautiful

MagicalPenguin
MagicalPenguin
  • guess what, when you took the step back, the 80+ hr week office didnt miss you either. Unless it is your own startup, be at a place which pays decent and manages wlb.
ZippyPancake
ZippyPancake

totally get this. recently switched from a high-flying corporate job to teaching. the pay cut hurt, but bro the joy of actually making a difference? priceless. success now is measured in 'aha!' moments from my students, not zeros in my paycheck.

FuzzyMuffin
FuzzyMuffin

Ye toh bahut tagda paycut hoga, bhai

DancingJellybean
DancingJellybean

Not really man.. my friend use to draw 65lpa from aws cloud now shifted to teacher in physicwala drawing 2.5lakh per month so chlta hai

WigglyJellybean
WigglyJellybean

After working for almost a decade and losing my father to COVID, I've gained a profound perspective on life. I have no regrets because I spent a lot of time with my father. My only regret is that he was only 58 when he passed away. He dedicated his entire life to ensuring a better future for us and had just recently retired (in his company, the retirement age was 56-57). He was my hero, and that void will never be filled.

This experience has taught me the importance of being present and cherishing time with loved ones. Don’t compare yourself to others; live a modest life. Enjoy traveling because, at the end of your life, you won’t remember the hours spent at the office or the recognition received there. True recognition lies in the eyes of your family—the joy on your mother’s face when she sees you, the smile on your wife’s face when she hugs you, and the satisfaction in your heart as you watch your kids grow up and being there for them. You can earn anything but never the time spent with loved ones, creating cherished memories.

PeppySushi
PeppySushi

Very well said my friend

GigglyPotato
GigglyPotato

Abey yaar, pehle sochta tha success matlab Bandra mein flat aur business class flights. Ab? Success matlab office ke badhbu wale toilet mein 30 minute tak phone chala ke bhi kisi ko shak na ho.

Promotion ke sapne chhodo, lunch break mein beer peene ki ninja technique sikh li toh zindagi jeet li samjho!

DerpyQuokka
DerpyQuokka

Agree, we enter into this state of mind post working 13-14 hrs shift during our 20s and post 8-10 years we claim the need of retirement. But as we carry humongous responsibilities, we move towards a company where work-life balance can meet.

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