A colleague quoted Jack Welch at work today - "There is no such thing as work-life balance, it is a work-life choice. You make them and they have consequences!" Sounds heavy, makes you think and oddly enough it is extremely true. Most of us are prisoners of our own ideals and dreams sealed by the pressure that we subject ourselves to. Corporate lifestyles across the world have been notorious for being unfriendly to women in quest of the corner office. The phrases "Breaking through the glass ceiling", "Harnessing the girl power" have been used interchangeably, sometimes even to describe a fancy girl clique.
Graduating with a Masters, working at well-known Management Consulting firms, I have always had big dreams for myself. I have been through the insecurities of the first job, the new job, the new boss, the new projects and have succumbed to the desire to constantly prove myself. And while I was working round the clock to produce quality deliverables over countless iterations, I realized that the "corner office" that I thought I was chasing, was not really my end goal!
I would be lying if I said I don't want a fancy title or a lump sum bonus but I also am the kind of person who you can woo with a new business card, a congratulatory email for a job well done and maybe even a box of chocolates just because you feel like it. Fortunately or unfortunately (the jury is not out on that!), I am easy to please. If little things make you happy and you get over your insecurities sooner than later, you can easily slow down and align your professional life to best suit your personal needs.
My education and experiences have taught me to not compromise on the quality you deliver, it has taught me to be known for your work ethic and your willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly it has taught me to stop chasing a moving target, a target that is circumstantial and that cannot be anchored because it has external dependencies. Dependencies in the form of life events, health events, social events that you want to be a part of. Well then , I have made my choice! I have taken a step back from my search for that corner office and I suddenly feel productive, happy and blessed.
Graduating with a Masters, working at well-known Management Consulting firms, I have always had big dreams for myself. I have been through the insecurities of the first job, the new job, the new boss, the new projects and have succumbed to the desire to constantly prove myself. And while I was working round the clock to produce quality deliverables over countless iterations, I realized that the "corner office" that I thought I was chasing, was not really my end goal!
I would be lying if I said I don't want a fancy title or a lump sum bonus but I also am the kind of person who you can woo with a new business card, a congratulatory email for a job well done and maybe even a box of chocolates just because you feel like it. Fortunately or unfortunately (the jury is not out on that!), I am easy to please. If little things make you happy and you get over your insecurities sooner than later, you can easily slow down and align your professional life to best suit your personal needs.
My education and experiences have taught me to not compromise on the quality you deliver, it has taught me to be known for your work ethic and your willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly it has taught me to stop chasing a moving target, a target that is circumstantial and that cannot be anchored because it has external dependencies. Dependencies in the form of life events, health events, social events that you want to be a part of. Well then , I have made my choice! I have taken a step back from my search for that corner office and I suddenly feel productive, happy and blessed.
7 comments:
Been a while since I have read such a refreshing perspective.
Been a while since I have read such a refreshing perspective.
Candid...So very true
Some of us want to reach the stars when we are just gnomes...
Keep the writing going missy....
Great thinking...
Thats the girl I always knew.ruch well expressed.
Wow.. Awesome.. All the best for the new venture. A box of chocolate from me for sure. Let that corner office hunt for you and not the reverse.
GREAT WISDOM: You could have waited till you were 30...40....50....and arrived at the same conclusion. Happiness and passion for work and life are more important than illusive, superfluous designations.
Kudos to you, Well Done!!!
Hi Ruchika, Your thoughts are so well reflected in your blog. Your expressions are so well put down.It is not easy to decide so earnestly and emphatically about taking a step back. You have done well and I am sure you will never regret. Surjeet.
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