To not be ambitious

[CaramelEmporium]

I'm middle management, working part time since having my daughter. My salary is ok, my job is relatively stress free and the part time aspect limits how much I have to travel which would put extra stress on juggling childcare. This works for us from a childcare pov and work/life balance. In my annual appraisal it was made apparent that working part time will hold back my career progression - ie higher profile clients will not come my way - so this will hold me back, not that the next progression role is clear anyway. My aibu isn't is about that, right or wrong I accept that this is the this drawback but it's a price I am prepared to accept for all the benefits to my life of being part time. I suppose my question is is it ok to be happy to plod along, to not have a vision/objective of where I want to be workwise in 5 years beyond being able to pay the bills and maintain a happy work/life balance?

[loaferloveforyou]

If everyone was ambitious we would have no one willing to work in supermarkets or as cleaners, as road sweepers, as data processors etc etc.

Plus, ambition is subjective. Some people ambition means to be CEO, or Prime Minister, or others ambition means middle management. For others, their ambition is to be happy no matter what they do.

So, no YANBU, so long as you are happy

[MrsDustyBusty]

I think it's fine. Please don't consider yourself unambitious though, clearly your ambition is to have a working life balance that works for your family and gives you satisfaction and that's perfectly valid.

[CaramelEmporium]

Thank you for your replies. Yes Dusty I think that's a positive way to view it. I think the whole kind of work hard, strive and achieve mentality is so ingrained it makes me think what's wrong with me!

[Strongmummy]

Totally agree with Dusty. You're in control of your work like balance and that's what you're focusing on to make you happy. That's success imo

[statetrooperstacey]

That's really lovely dusty, I have often feel a bit like you op. I'm 42 and have given a bit of thought to this recently, as it's now or never for me really. I have decided it will be never. I don't care about a career, I am happy with my job and my children and family and friends and I'm unwilling to sacrifice any of that to spend extra time time, thought or energy to any kind of retraining or further education. I have settled and I'm happy.

[CaramelEmporium]

I'm 42 too Statetrooper. Yes I feel like I'm at a now or never crossroads and I feel I should have more get up and go about me but I'm just not feeling it. I earn enough, my job is ok, my daughter is only preschool age but in the coming years I want to be there for homework etc more than I want the extra ££ for full time and progressing.

[statetrooperstacey]

I think try and make peace with your decision then caramel, and as dusty said it is a decision isn't it? We have chosen this and it makes us happy.
I have 5 children from 25 - 5 and always thought that once I'd finished with the babies and padlocked away the ovaries I would be striding out being the 'best I could be and finding myself and doing important responsible serious things, and you know proving I was clever so I was taken seriously , and having a PROPER job. And generally being a very successful grown up. And then I thought that sounds like like an awful lot of effort for other peoples opinions.

[Nicketynac]

In my role, my next logical move would be my boss' job. His job sucks. He has loads more stress, for not much more money in the grand scheme of things. Makes me happier with my job!
I think you are right about having a young child - I wonder about priorities changing as you and she get older but that wouldn't make me give up the benefits of my lower stress, part-time job now IYSWIM

[statetrooperstacey]

Forgot to say yes you are correct the next few years with your daughter will be worth far more than Any promotion. You have a lovely time in front of you.