to coast in my job or a bit ... maybe forever!

[BigBoris]

Just a bit of context, I'm an academic/university lecturer. I feel like I have busted a gut since I finished by Phd seven years ago. I've got somewhere. Well, I've got a job. But I haven't been promoted, ever. I am just scraping by, meeting the minimum requirements.

And I've been feeling terrible and inadequate about that for some time, in what is a very very competitive, egotistical, back-stabby world. And at the same time, I feel as though I have let my kids down by always working, not being there for them as they start school, not supporting their learning, being distracted, and generally being a bit rubbish. Classic working mum dilemma.

But now, I want to feel different. I can't give up work for lots of reasons not least money, but I think the demands that are made on me by work are just too much (this is a common complaint in academia!) I just want to be able to say to myself that it's OK just to coast, to be a bit mediocre basically. Do what I have to do, but no more. Say no to more things. Carve out time for the family and let the rest go.

Has anyone been there already? How has it worked for you?

[irregularegular]

I also worked part-time for three years until both children were at school (having worked full time while they were tiny). To be honest, it probably didn't make that much difference to how much I worked as some things were just impossible to reduce. I did a lot more working in the evenings and weekends than I do now. But it made my slacking official, meant I could say no to some things - and lengthened the tenure clock pro rata.

[escondida]

Maybe what OP is really asking is "Is it ok to be unambitious"?
This is why I'm an RA* at a Uni, rather than a lecturer. I'm not bothered about career prospects, I'm a terrible teacher. The money isn't bad. And I get to do work that isn't too much for me. I know a lot of career RAs now, with zero interest in ever becoming lecturers.

*I hate the really horrible horrible word "post-doc" because it implies a job that isn't really anything by itself, a kind of 'time that must be served' position between other job titles that actually do matter. Argh.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

I don't think it's about being unambitious. It is about having a good look at what conventional "career progression" entails and what you want out of your career at various point in time, and making sure you get it. It's highly ambitious.

[irregularegular]

It's hard to find permanent research only jobs though isn't it? That's the risk. My DH has had a continuous series of 2-5 year research projects pretty much by choice and he is over 50. It's worked well for him as he also has outside income from self-employment and more recently the appointments have been part time, but in general it is not an easy or stress free option. It does seem in general though that doing either the teaching or the research, but not both, is almost the only way to manage it if you want a life outside as well.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

I teach and research and have a life. I'm now feeling very pleased with myself.

[ScottishProf]

Your children won't be young forever, but the benefits you'll gain from developing elite time-management and prioritisation skills will last forever.

Assuming you can put in the hours your employer says correspond to the job you have - if not, the advice to consider going part time is excellent - don't call it coasting to decide you can't donate any more hours. But do (a) be reliable - this is hard if you can't bail yourself out by working extra hours near deadlines, so you'll have to be extremely organised and good at saying No to things you really won't have time for (b) prioritise carefully, without letting all your urgent tasks push out the important ones, like research.

A thing that has helped me in academia is to notice that there's nothing magical about 24/7 that means if only you worked that you'd get everything done. There is literally no limit to the demands that can be placed on you as an academic so, regardless of whether you work 40 or 80 hours a week, you have to be able to cope with the fact that you're not doing everything someone expects. All you can expect is that you're working the hours you're paid for and spending them efficiently.

[lljkk]

I'm not expecting anyone to explain, it's just a side comment on the millionth MN thing I don't understand at all. I'm a contract RA & find it plenty stress free. I'm racing towards 50 & never in my life had a "permanent" job. Don't get the need for that at all. DH is self-employed so even less security, but he feels like he has ultimate security because he's doing only what he likes.

[DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel]

Ive started coasting too. I was working towards an accountancy qualification. I know I have the ability to do ok for myself. Yes I will never be a super duper accountant with my own business or working for the top 5, but I do feel I could achieve the necessary qualifications to earn a decent wage.

However, I just CBA. I have 3 children between 10 and 3. Ive just started my current job in the last couple of months and its a lot better than the previous jobs I have had. I am seriously considering coasting myself. I know I could be relatively happy where I am now. The last 8 years Ive had no luck whatsoever with jobs.

My mental health is also a lot better too which in turn means less shouting at the DCs.

[irregularegular]

Maybe it depends on your field lljkk but in DH's field getting funding for research projects is very hit and miss. It's difficult to guarantee a continuous stream of income. Not a problem for us as he is also self-employed, and I have a salary too, but not ideal if it is your only source of income.

[irregularegular]

I guess it also depends on how fussy you are about what exactly you work on.