Is Climbing the Ladder Right for You?
Are you in an industry where climbing the ladder is a wise thing to do? Everyone is different. We all have different needs. It is not my intention to bash those who choose to climb the ladder. I am only trying to point out that climbing the ladder doesn’t work for everyone and that there are other options for people who don’t fit that mold.
How do you know if you should continue climbing the ladder in your current industry?
- Do you enjoy the work you do on a day to day basis?
- Are you passionate about the work you do?
- Does the work you are striving to do provide the emotional and financial needs of you and your family?
- Can you see yourself doing this work in 15 or 20 years?
I recently left the banking industry because I did not enjoy the work I did, was not passionate about it, and could not see myself doing it for 15 more years. For me the big one was the long term committment. From day one I couldn’t believe I was a banker. I had a perception of what bankers are like and I did not fit that mold.
I played the game to get by and started climbing that ladder. I reached Vice President and looked around at the other Vice Presidents and higher. They weren’t like me. Don’t get me wrong, these men and women are very intelligent and good at what they do, but they weren’t who I wanted to be. I had no one to look up too because I couldn’t stand the thought that I was going to be like them.
Look around your workplace and see who you would like to be. I’m not talking specifics. Of course you would be different because you are you, but in general that person holds their position because they fit what the company was looking for. Can you or would you like to fit that mold?