To find colleague’s zen like contentment inspirational?

Ds1 (late 20s) works in first line support.
He is very good at it. Top of the leader board for number of tickets processed. Even when he takes time off no one catches him up he’s that far ahead of the others.

He’s had several opportunities for promotion, but it would be a change in his role and he’s not interested.

He enjoys his work, but ultimately sees it as a means to earn money and it does that sufficiently for his needs.

His company like his work ethic in his current role, so he doesn’t get pressure to go for promotion.

Not everyone is cut out for management roles. I had a few years of trying it in my IT job, but it was not a success and I dropped back down to non management role and have also been content. Has it limited my earning potential, sure. But it’s also limited my stress and mental health issues. I’m coming up for retirement soon and have no regrets.

Really? I know quite a few.

She’s more than likely delighted that he’s happy in his work and has time to be there for her and the kids.

It’s the capitalist way! God forbid anyone be content.

Not quite the same but a mechanic in a large firm - who is absolutely brilliant. Head mechanic now.

They keep wanting him to do more, be promoted, manage teams etc and he doesnt want to ; it'll take away the time he spends with his hands in the guts of a car which is what he loves.

I've never come across one!

I have none of those things.

I work at a law firm and 100% understand this post. There is always more promotions, more money to be earned but, what comes with that is more stress, less time, a crap work life balance. I am happy as I am but still get pushed and I just push back and say I am happy as I am!

None of that. Single made my own way and made different choices e.g. not having kids and not bothered if I find a partner.

So I have been overpaying my mortgage to be free ASAP putting myself in a stronger position as I get older knowing that if im made redundant, ill health or find it harder to get a job I wont be stressed out since I have noone else to fall back on. I wanted flexibility to drop down my days or change career and not having a mortgage to pay makes that so much easier.

So yes I can afford to not take promotions or move up and be content with what I earn as it affords me a lifestyle where I can still holiday several times a year etc.

I think it’s working out what you want in life - work/life balance. For me, I need a job that challenges, uses my expertise and provides enough money not to worry about it but…….I’m not chasing a promotion or more money. I have hobbies and interests outside work that I prefer to focus on.

Sometimes, but not always. Me and my DH have 'good' jobs, ie decent pay but not amazing. However we have no kids and we have stayed in our first home - small terrace - so our outgoings are low.
I think some of the comments are missing that you can still develop in a role without progressing. In my role I work with the public and children and I'm always following research or improving my knowledge of working with children with trauma. I feel like there's always something to learn and will be if I stay at this level for ten years. If I went into management I'd no longer be working with the public and instead id be learning employment law and budgets. Sure it would broaden my skills but I have no interest in that, and I'd rather be experienced and competent in my existing role. I don't think I would be a good people manager!

Seems very sensible. I do also think that some people like this can afford to be relaxed. Probe deeper and you sometimes find that they have a) family money b) expected inheritance c) high earning partner.

seems not everyone wants to be a manager
i am the band i am with no wish to go higher
in fact have yearnings of going lower!

It's funny that apparently we're all supposed to have the "drive" to climb and climb at work, as if you're just lazy or useless if you don't.

I would rather enjoy my job and have a nice life! You don't get to go round again cos you ended up as the CEO - you still die like the rest of us!!

I so agree with this!
The NHS is a bugger for doing this: someone can be very good in a patient-facing role but the only advancement available is into people or business management, so people who want to advance have no choice but to do something they may not want to do and may not be good at.
One of my old lecturers used to say 'people get promoted to the level of their incompetence ', in that, someone is good at the job, gets promotion after promotion, till finally they are at a level when they are no longer good at the job (ie incompetent) and are stuck there.
So not all promotions are successful but taking a step back can be disastrous professionally.

Lool i have similar background and qualifications but changed career and got myself a professional qualification instead. Happy floating along thank you very much. One day you might have an epiphany where you realise life is not all about work... or at least be less judgey when others choose alternative ways to live.

The only issue is to make sure your pension is big enough and mortgage covered/ gone when you retire.

I keep reflecting on that story about the guy who spends his days fishing, while others keep telling him to be more ambitious. But he's like "why? I'm already doing what i want!" And have everything i need!

I’m massively underemployed. I’m much happier now doing a lower responsibility role for less money.

My life is absolutely lovely and well balanced.

Not what he said, but the way it was phrased. Sounds resentful and annoyed by it.

That’s very zen!

zen is a school of Buddhism - and buddhism is definitely about not accumulating material possessions (many other things as well of course!)

Your arrogance here is quite breathtaking.

Firstly, being a successful lawyer is hardly "floating along" is it?

secondly, your assumption that a life well lived only involves work is... well, rather sad and pathetic really. Its rare that anyone finds meaning in extra hours at work if they are already successful which this man clearly is.

I feel quite sorry for you.

Absolutely 💯 agree

This is me although I'm female but I've always chosen a balanced life over massive workplace success.

I'm comfortable, no mortgage and there's only so much money I need. I wanted to be there for my kids as they grew up, and now I'm out most evenings at gigs, theatre cinema etc. Couldn't do that at my age if I was exhausted from working all the time.

Laws very time consuming, especially as you climb the ladder. If I had to choose between a comfortable family income and a husband who was present and actively involved with the children, versus a husband who was working incredibly long hours including at weekends but loads of money I would chose the former. Especially because, a lot of the time, those long hours have to be facilitated by the other partner cutting back on or giving up work. Which might work for some couples but also means the extra money from the promotion is partially offset by the decrease in the other parents wages. Or the additional childcare costs. But some families prefer a single income so it might work for them.

Do you think ‘learning’ can only happen in an academic environment or that ‘achieving’ is something only to be accomplished through work? Why do you describe it as ‘floating along’?!

I’m kind of in that position. I’m a consultant in a particular communications function. Left a £120k per year contract last year to go travelling for 2 months then work freelance for small NGOs with less than half that budget. I’m so much happier and more fulfilled.

By why would learning, striving etc only be reached through a work context rather than in other areas of life. I'm not saying you're wrong just that academic success was what was important to you (and you made a career through it), but people have different goals and areas they want to stretch themselves and some choose not to do that through work.

I see it as putting work in its right place. I work to support myself and my family, in something I find interesting but which doesn't reflect every facet of me. And therefore my sense of achievement and worth are not conditional on my career. That doesn't mean I don't have goals, or strive or push myself to learn and grow and expand.