When this title drew my attention, I started thinking aloud on the subject. Could there be scope for another different phrasing of the title, like: Being content with a slow career path? Being content with a slow career path and being happy about it seem to be two slightly different mindsets.

"I have the job to my liking; the salary is good enough; working ambiance is fine; organizational culture is nice; location is to my convenience; work is not too demanding. Though I wish I grow faster in the organizational ladder, I am not able to do so, partly because the avenues for growth are very limited and partly because of my own limitations in qualification, competence and personality. It is quite okay; I accept reality; I am quite contented about it" This is one way of saying it.

Here, aspirations are existing, but limitations too are crystal clear; the advantages and conveniences of traversing in a slow career path have been understood and digested. The person who feels so is NOT of the ambitious go-getter, jet-set type, the one for whom sky is the limit'.

"I am deliberately in this job; The salary I get is really not of too much concern for me. I derive lot of advantages in sticking to it, despite the slow career growth. I have, for example, my ancestral property in this place; My father built his palatial dream house here and we are living there now. My wife is extremely happy with her job in this town; My children are placed in one of the best schools here. If I were to look for career growth, I may have to get transferred to a place where I had to shell out a huge rent to get accommodation in a house or flat, a quarter of the size of our present house. We enjoy the climate here round the year. The job is not at all taxing; I have my pet hobbies. I have a passion writing and I am able to earmark lot of time in pursuing my hobbies here. To be frank, I am very happy to be in this job."- This is another way of saying it.

Here, there are no career dreams. The person is extremely pragmatic. His choice is deliberate. He is NOT the career-driven, happy-to-be-madly-running-around type of guy. He is extremely clear and forthright as to what he wants in his life. He has no peer-group pressure. He is not influenced by what others are doing or aspiring. Perhaps, this person may be possessing skills to outshine his colleagues and grow in the corporate ladder if only he wills, but he won't.

Can every one fit into these two categories? Perhaps not. Not all people are born with similar aspirations, goals and tendencies. For some, being ambitious is a virtue. Power, position, status, desire to manipulate and control others etc could be the motivating factors for them in their life. If they are offered "Peace/contentedness" in one platter and "Thrill" in another platter, they would prefer the latter. That is one of the wonders of plurality of life.

Learn more about this author, C.V.Rajan.
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