The short answer is that it's going well. The longer answer is that all of the outside voices and cynicism about making it as a writer are starting to creep into my psyche. I signed up for your 4/28 class in July so hopefully that will help!
While reading this, I realized that many of the people that I know who are climbing the corporate ladder, relate to their loved ones the way they relate to their colleagues, subordinates, or supervisors.
Spot on. Corporate ladder leads to golden handcuffs. Timely as a former Green Beret investment banker died suddenly last week after working several 100-hour weeks where he barely slept. Leaves behind a wife and 2 kids. Here’s their donation page: https://www.classy.org/campaign/the-lukenas-family/c585052
What you described in your article is someone that allowed others to set goals for them. I climbed the corporate ladder with a goal of retiring early, and I did. I took time for vacations, friends and family. Yes, I had on occasion long work weeks, but I kept track of my time and always took extra time off when I was ahead in my projects or during slow periods. Work life balance is the responsibility of the employee, not the company. The company will take all of your time and energy, but you can pushback. Consistently beat your goals and objectives and no one cares when you come and go or where you are. Someone that struggles with work balance in the corporate world, probably does not have the skills to make as their own boss.
Where do people hear this stuff? I don't think I've ever heard anyone in the real world say something at all like "You'll be happy if only you were a CEO!"
This is one of those lies that keeps being repeated over and over. You just start it with some variation of "Society tells us..." and just make shit up after that
Society doesn't tell us any one thing. Society has a thousand opinions being sold to us at all times. People choose which snake oil to buy, and then try to externalize the problems that stem from their mistakes, by pretending "Society tells us...", when really it's "I made some dumb choices, and am suffering the consequences."
Trying to offload these problems onto society just makes them last longer and get worse.
Hi Tim, This is timely. You have been such a role model. I'm a coffee farmer and exporter of Kenyan premium Arabica coffee and i wanted to send you a gift of our specialty grade. Please reach out
Our system is run by psychopaths and their subordinate narcissists. What did we expect. Nothing in our systems is based on merit. It's based on but kissing.
I worked the corporate life for a fortune 200 company for years and I realized quickly you are a number to them; I went no higher than project manager because I didn't want to go higher. Can be very political as well with all the bootlicking.
"Their whole identity is tied to their job so they know nothing else." - funny how that works. When someone asks us "Who are you?" or "What do you do?", we tend to give them our job title.
Right? And a lot of times someone’s career spiel is about as interesting as a mediocre dream they had or an anecdote about a group of people you don’t know.
Yes, brilliant. Hard or “Project Hard skills” have little to no competition or a procrastination sin. No one can steal your skills or dreams unless you let them. Toxicity is like a thief in the night.
I recently quit my job as a BigLaw lawyer defending big companies in lawsuits to write science fiction instead. So this post resonates!
Such a cool transition Noor. Is it working okay so far?
The short answer is that it's going well. The longer answer is that all of the outside voices and cynicism about making it as a writer are starting to creep into my psyche. I signed up for your 4/28 class in July so hopefully that will help!
While reading this, I realized that many of the people that I know who are climbing the corporate ladder, relate to their loved ones the way they relate to their colleagues, subordinates, or supervisors.
Do you do the same Cris?
Nope, which is why I never attempted to climb the ladder and live in poverty. 😂
Why not build your own thing?
Spot on. Corporate ladder leads to golden handcuffs. Timely as a former Green Beret investment banker died suddenly last week after working several 100-hour weeks where he barely slept. Leaves behind a wife and 2 kids. Here’s their donation page: https://www.classy.org/campaign/the-lukenas-family/c585052
So sad Yuri. Have you ever worked crazy hours like this?
What you described in your article is someone that allowed others to set goals for them. I climbed the corporate ladder with a goal of retiring early, and I did. I took time for vacations, friends and family. Yes, I had on occasion long work weeks, but I kept track of my time and always took extra time off when I was ahead in my projects or during slow periods. Work life balance is the responsibility of the employee, not the company. The company will take all of your time and energy, but you can pushback. Consistently beat your goals and objectives and no one cares when you come and go or where you are. Someone that struggles with work balance in the corporate world, probably does not have the skills to make as their own boss.
We must pushback for sure.
Disconnecting and reconnecting to Nature, ditching our devices makes us happy, that's what I've found: https://romanshapoval.substack.com/p/digitaldetox
Shameless plug of your newsletter Roman. Pro tip: looks a little desperate.
But I love the confidence.
Thanks Tim for your honesty.
I can't shake my past life as an aggressive salesman it seems.
Thanks again for your reply.
Have you found that it's harder to get subs on Substack recently?
Ever since the intro of notes, subs have gone down.
I've started to try your tactic of posting one note a day.
That's ok Tim2. Take care, thankX for the offer.
Great advice and article about how not to climb the ladder.
So you'll give up the corporate ladder?
Where do people hear this stuff? I don't think I've ever heard anyone in the real world say something at all like "You'll be happy if only you were a CEO!"
You don't have to be CEO. But a lot of people are desperate to be managers.
That's not what you said, nor what I responded to.
This is one of those lies that keeps being repeated over and over. You just start it with some variation of "Society tells us..." and just make shit up after that
Society doesn't tell us any one thing. Society has a thousand opinions being sold to us at all times. People choose which snake oil to buy, and then try to externalize the problems that stem from their mistakes, by pretending "Society tells us...", when really it's "I made some dumb choices, and am suffering the consequences."
Trying to offload these problems onto society just makes them last longer and get worse.
You've got a rather dull doppelganger, @timdenning - heh
1-911-SMH-TGIF
Hi Tim, This is timely. You have been such a role model. I'm a coffee farmer and exporter of Kenyan premium Arabica coffee and i wanted to send you a gift of our specialty grade. Please reach out
I used to own a coffee company so I'm probably the wrong person.
I worked the corporate ladder. I didn't like the view.
I quit and did my own thing.
I walked away from a lot of money.
Do you know why they pay you?
Do you know why they pay you more when you are valuable?
They pay you for killing your dreams.
What do you do now Michael?
Great read. That feeling when you realize your career has become your entire personality…feels bad, man. 🤣
Have you felt that?
Things are changing! We are an era of creators now a days.
Yep. is that why the creator economy is booming?
I think so too!! People are waking up!!
Our system is run by psychopaths and their subordinate narcissists. What did we expect. Nothing in our systems is based on merit. It's based on but kissing.
True. I'd just caution being too far toward conspiracy theories.
The underlying assumption to this article is that you cannot have a corporate job that is fulfilling, which is a big assumption.
9-5s can be a good thing.
You can have a nice boss, great colleagues, a stimulating learning environment... all while getting paid for it!
I wouldn't dismiss having an interesting and well-paid corporate job.
Jobs = Level 1
But you don't want to live your entire life on level 1.
I worked the corporate life for a fortune 200 company for years and I realized quickly you are a number to them; I went no higher than project manager because I didn't want to go higher. Can be very political as well with all the bootlicking.
Politics ruins it for me.
"Their whole identity is tied to their job so they know nothing else." - funny how that works. When someone asks us "Who are you?" or "What do you do?", we tend to give them our job title.
It's so weird Denis. Why is that?
Dunno. Probably because we can't imagine ourselves planning our lives independently.
Right? And a lot of times someone’s career spiel is about as interesting as a mediocre dream they had or an anecdote about a group of people you don’t know.
True that.
Heyyo Tim! Another good dose of truth, dare, and exposed lies.
Quite frankly many still climb their versions of the corporate ladder and find out it’s leaning on the wrong building.
Hearing and listening to this episode is like uncovering another acre of diamonds.
Unfortunately, many can’t handle the truth serum like your office colleague of the past. I can see through your eyes as the reality does set in:
There’s no security in life or business except in your ability to perform.
That's why I think hard skills are so crucial. You can be laid off but they can't steal your skills. Agree?
Yes, brilliant. Hard or “Project Hard skills” have little to no competition or a procrastination sin. No one can steal your skills or dreams unless you let them. Toxicity is like a thief in the night.