IS HAVING IT ALL A PIPE DREAM?
I have been asked many times whether it is possible to have it all – a fantastic job, a fat salary, doing work we love, having time to focus on our family and enjoying absolute work-life balance.
To many, having it all seems like a pipe dream but my answer to this perennial question is, “Why not?”
To many, having it all could mean a great job with a six-figure salary, a million dollars in the bank, unlimited time off and being there for the family 24/7, plus time to walk the dog three times a day. Is this an unrealistic expectation that will only lead to disappointment or burnout?
Instead of having it all, how about having enough?
In life, everything comes with a trade-off or sacrifice so we need to find our optimum point on that cost-benefit curve to occupy, rather than always staying at the maximum point itself which can be exhausting in the long run.
Learning to be contented with what we have, as well as what we don’t have can lead to a wonderous sense of liberation – one that will free your mind to focus on the other things in life apart from your job, making you a much happier person in general.
Indeed, without a reprioritisation of our life goals and a robust career strategy to guide us, we might pursue the wrong things and end up even unhappier.
Adrian Choo is the CEO and founder of Career Agility International, a career strategy consultancy. He is also co-author of The Great Career Paradox, published by Penguin Random House.