High achievers are either (a) men or (b) women whose children in childcare 24/7. Discuss.

[MarionCole]

Feeling miserable about an underachieving career, brought on my the fact that I have been googling acquaintances to find out what they are up to.

Ex-husband is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who will be earning £shedloads.

Ex-partner is finance director of a plc who will be earning £shedloads.

All of the people I trained with are director of this and director of that.

I took a downward step when I went back to work after having DS and I'm now earning less than I did 15 years ago.

It's not all about money. I wouldn't give up DS for the world and couldn't bear to spend any less time with him than I already do. And my exes don't come close to DH.

But I need a new car and I can't afford one and I'm pissed off.

I find all the high achievers I know to be just a little bit dull tbh.

And, let's face it, Mumsnet's self-appointed highest achiever is like a stuck record .

I think to be high achieving professionally, you have got to prioritise your work, and at times that means placing work needs over the needs of your children. But how many people want that? I certainly couldn't imagine anything worse. Whilst my children are young, they are my first priority and I'm proud of that. So I work part time and my career has gone backwards for a few years. Shrug, I'm not bothered because I can pick up my career again when my children are older, but I'd never regain those missed assemblies or sports days or whatever. I'm very happy having a second rate career.

It very much depends on the company you work for. The enlightened ones value their high performing workers, whether they are part-time or full-time. Last year, in my end of year review, I was awarded 'exceptional' in my part-time job. This is hugely motivating and I fully intend to increase my hours in the future, when my kids are a bit older. It's no surprise that our company is in The Times top 25 best big companies to work for - imo the HR policies are second to none. It should be mutually beneficial for companies - they keep their staff and we deliver great performance for them. So look out the good companies in The Times annual 'Best companies to work for'!! It's not easy though and it's pure luck that I work where I do.

I had a good career, till I had my 2nd. I went back to work when each of them were 10 wks old and was on blackberry 2 hrs after my csection.
It got me nowhere, I was ousted by a new male boss who thought women belonged at home.

I now work in an equally well paid job but am very clear about what I am prepared to sacrifice and what I am not. I have had my time of not seeing my children and my DS will start school soon.

A female colleague said something to me today - noone on their death bed has been known to say they wished they'd spent longer in work