Work Motivations - or maybe lack thereof?
Hello! I have had these thoughts lately and wanted to to see if I am indeed on my own island from what people around me have said.
I left a job almost 3 years ago now at a toxic workplace, and I was there for 5 years. I was in and out of burnout for the entirety of those 5 years and had no work life balance. My entire 20s (I am in my 30s now) consisted of commuting to work (roughly 2 hours there and back) working (8-10 hours a day) and coming home to a 1 bedroom apartment that I didn't even get to enjoy for how much I was spending on it. My body was so physically and mentally in shreds, looking back I'm surprised it was even functioning.
I got a new job with a pay raise, regular bonus and raises and a significantly healthier work life balance to where I am able to focus on getting my life and health back in track. It is more of a support position, and I am essentially an admin for others who are on the road and traveling to see clients. I have loved it, and no longer have those ambitions to "move up." I find I am content with this support role, and it allows me to learn and grow on my own while also helping others. I do not want to manage people, and that is what most promotions consist of. I've been told by friends and coworkers that this is odd and I shouldn't sell myself short, but I also enjoy the balance and the boundaries this job provides me.
Is this abnormal, and should I be more focused on moving up and progressing through my career? I feel selfish and guilty staying where I am, but I also have been trying to figure out where that works and life boundary is and how to maintain it. I am naturally a workaholic, and know if I can easily roll back into that pattern of having no boundaries in a heartbeat.
And thoughts anyone has is greatly appreciated, and my apologies on this being so long!
@Mhb1968
I feel there is nothing wrong with being happy where you are at in life right now....with that said, managing and supervising people can be a real challenge, especially if you get the wrong people under you. I am not trying to scare you with that statement because it can also be a very rewarding part of your career if you have a good team. One thing I am going to say....and I hope I can articulate this properly because sometimes I have problems getting my thoughts on paper.....some places of employment look for employees who will benefit the organization in the long term...."groom" an individual, so to speak, that will be a good fit for upper management in the future.....the people who matter may see this in you right now, and this state of contentment that you are in at this point in your life and career may be hurting "their" plan for you.....5 years down the road, if you change your career goals and decide you want more within this company, they may remember you weren't really a "go getter" when they wanted to see it from you......If that makes sense. I only say this because I've seen it happen in my place of employment....
Take my thoughts with a grain of salt....I'm not a professional, just someone on the outside offering an opinion.....
@Cyclingthroughlife
Thank you so much for you input. I know it is an awkward thing to advise on, but I really do appreciate it. It has been something I had been thinking about as well, and it's unfortunate that companies do look at things like that. I get that companies are essentially machines that are geared to make profits, but it certainly is detrimental to the rest of us.
I am leaving room down the line for me to potentially change my mind down the line, but as of now and for the near future I think I'm good. I suppose only time will tell, and I will cross that bridge when I get there.
Thank you again!