Professional Happiness over Success
Corporate Life Isn’t for Everyone
Honestly, I struggle how to see how it can be for anyone, but it is for some, arguably it is for many, perhaps even most. I don’t feel as though a majority of the people I’ve met have struggled the way I have. Externally looking in; it comes across as they manage to adapt and fit in, even if they don’t have much positive to say about it. I never did adapt though. I never fitted in or found my place. Who I am; and the needs and struggles I have, just confirm that the corporate mindset and environment is toxic, demotivating and draining for my personal wellbeing. I realised this a long time ago but wasn’t ever been in a position to do anything about it. Professional success is subjective, it comes from achieving happiness in your situation. This isn’t always possible.
Defining Success
Nothing is more rewarding than giving up the rat race and living life on your own terms and there are many ways to achieve this. What works are doesn’t will vary from person to person.
What makes you happy?
What makes you unhappy?
How do you define success?
These are important questions and I can’t answer them for you, but it is important that you consider and answer them realistically.
Professionally, I know that to be happy I need creative freedom and expression. Equally, I know that I need these without hierarchical or egotistical encroachment upon my space. I have emotional, mental and sensory needs to consider too. If these things are ignored, I’d be unhappy. I have been in the past.
As for success, I don’t want to be rich. I want to be doing the things that make be happy and be able to make a living.
What Comes Next is Down to You
If like me, success is defined by doing what you love and being able to pay the bills. You need to work out how to make this possible.
What is your current income?
Outgoings? What expenses and necessary?
Which aren’t?
Are you willing to make temporary (or maybe even permanent) changes to get to that point?
Is this possible and what do you need to make it happen?
Be honest with yourself but don’t lose heart. Just because the answers are difficult, doesn’t mean that you can’t be where you want to be and achieve success on your terms. It doesn’t mean that your journey to happiness is over. Far from it. What it means is that the happiness and success you seek is just beginning and now you know the obstacles your face. Information is power in these things.
Final Thoughts
Professional happiness can come in many forms. Unlike me, you might be very much built for the corporate ladder and every step a new high. Or, perhaps the truth is you need independence. Whatever the case, you need to be honest with yourself about what you want and what is will take. I get that this can be anxiety inducing and incredibly stressful, but it is vital to the process of moving on and finding a happier, better, more complete life for yourself. Whilst my personal journey is far from complete, the acceptance and acting on the fact that I am a writer and a blogger above all other things professionally has enabled me to achieve just that.
The Busy Papa
Also known as Aaron, The Busy Papa focuses on lifestyle, parenting and personal wellbeing content. He has two decades experience in creative writing (including several published poems) and strongly dislikes (though tolerates) tomatoes.
As someone who in 2019 went full time self employed after 11 years in the same corperate job I can say it takes a while to get used to answering to no one and losing all that structure. It’s only when you are out that you realise just how much the latter can hold you down!
The problem with corporate roles is often you have people telling you what to do and they can be idiots! If you have had that experience you will know what I mean lol.
It’s only when you leave a job in a corporation that you realise how much it controls your life. I’m much happier now that I don’t work for one. You’re so right about finding your own definition of success too – it shouldn’t be it about how much money we earn but maybe instead on how much happiness we bring to ourselves and those around us.
It’s never been for me at all. I think I put too much value on family life and a good work life balance. I work in the health service as well as blog. It’s a nice balance.
I went from the police to blogging it was a huge change! I guess you don’t realise how being in a cooperation can change you till you get out,
I left my permanent job in 2017 to do what I like most: teaching and working as a freelance journalist. In the beginning it was a total struggle. I had to get used to the fact I wouldn`t have the “comfort” of having a bigger salary and rights to take some paid holidays. Nowadays, it’s still challenging but nothing worked better than working for myself. Corporate job is definitely not for me. I struggle for 5 years working in a company that affected my mental health in high levels. People were mean ( considering I am an immigrant) and it was difficult to adapt myself. Even being one of the most qualified people there. No, I don`t miss it at all!
It’s not the life for me, work to live not live to work is my motto.
I would love to be able to make a success of my blog and be my own boss… I think I’d be pretty awesome!
In the past my husband has worked long hours and has been very stressed and unhappy. He changed jobs and took a substantial pay drop but he is so much happier now. It is not worth risking your happiness and health.
My husband is really struggling with a new boss and is really unhappy. His previous one was really happy with how he worked, but this one has completely moved the goalpots
I’ve had owned by own businesses now for almost ten years, make enough to get by and am fulfilled. To be that’s professional success but everyone will have their own version of that. Food for thought!
I gave up a corporate career 19 years ago – when a guy yielding a briefcase above his head to force his way onto a packed tube train broke my jaw when he hit me with it … I knew enough was enough. All my friends were settling down – I didn’t have time for relationships as my life was all work, work, work. So I resigned and went freelance. I’ve never looked back. Yes I miss the guaranteed pay packet each month, but I could never go back now – I love my freedom too much. I’m a much happier person being self-employed
I was very happy in my career, though it was in the cultural sector so not very corporate. Sadly I haven’t been able to get back in to if after taking time off to have kids. Everyone keeps telling me to ‘just go freelance’ but I actually loved me work very much.
It’s a shame that you don’t seem able to find a way back in. Freelance is only great if it is what you want from work. If you enjoyed what you had before, then that is definitely the way to go.
I cant say its ever been for me. I’m more focused on a positive mindset and family.
I’ve reached 2 different professional successes in my life – I feel very lucky for them. It means the same for everyone, but I know what it means to me.