Some of success is skill. Some is luck. You generally need both to progress. If you’re stuck in your current job, you may be better off somewhere else.

I realized I was only okay at my job and didn't want to work very hard pretty quickly. I found myself an easy situation in an office where most people are so nearly unemployable that I look like a genius, and I stayed put in my rut. There's so much more to life than work anyway.

Anonymous wrote:I just remind myself that it's all meaningless anyway and I'd rather be outside.

Same. I’ve watched numerous people retire this year after 30+ yrs of service to the govt and poof, suddenly you’re gone. Life at the office hums along in your absence as if nothing has changed. Just goes to show that it really is meaningless-sure your contributions mattered during that time but you’re entirely disposable. Someone else is there to step in and fill the void and pick up your work. In your personal life, that’s not the case. You’re irreplaceable. Focus on what matters-your personal connections outside of work and the things that make you happy. Work to live don’t live to work.

NP and I’m dealing with a mid-to-late career crisis. For ten years, I’ve worked for a boss who devalued my contributions, undermined my authority, badmouthed me to my peers, and took credit for my work. I was tempted to leave many times but the work life balance was good, the pay wasn’t bad, and I believed in the mission. Now I’m finally ready to move on and I’m exhausted and defeated. I can’t believe I allowed myself to be treated so badly and it’s made me wonder if that’s what I deserve. I feel like an abused spouse who can’t or won’t leave.

Anonymous wrote:Your health would have changed anyway at kidlife

That’s often the wake up call for many people.
Corporate masters will kick you out after 50 if not 40, you have another 30 years to go with pain /autoimmune issues or without pain / mobile and happy.

This applies to mental health too.

OP - have you stayed with one employer or have you moved around? I hit that same spot years ago, took a downgrade into a more prestigious employer, lateraled over to another and them climbed my way up from there. Sometimes it's not you, it's the environment.

Your health would have changed anyway at kidlife

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just remind myself that it's all meaningless anyway and I'd rather be outside.

But you started that habit at a certain point (?) What was your watershed moment?

I am continuing unhealthy pattern of working extra hours, giving up weekends, and I am not growing… I am forever stuck as a mid career level while my age is in the senior category… this is so tough… the company again ‘bought me out’ with some sort of bonus and withheld position promotion… it’s not about money anymore…

Statistically speaking 99% of workers are mid level. Why bothered by how the world works?

For me, I was finally at a solid mid level job, then peri symptoms kicked my ass hard. That’s when I realized my younger days of not investing in health and stamina has consequences.

Same here. Deeply, deeply regret prioritizing work over my health when I was younger.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just remind myself that it's all meaningless anyway and I'd rather be outside.

But you started that habit at a certain point (?) What was your watershed moment?

I am continuing unhealthy pattern of working extra hours, giving up weekends, and I am not growing… I am forever stuck as a mid career level while my age is in the senior category… this is so tough… the company again ‘bought me out’ with some sort of bonus and withheld position promotion… it’s not about money anymore…

Statistically speaking 99% of workers are mid level. Why bothered by how the world works?

For me, I was finally at a solid mid level job, then peri symptoms kicked my ass hard. That’s when I realized my younger days of not investing in health and stamina has consequences.

I haven’t had that moment because I had the this is dumb and pointless realization somewhere around age 26. Since then I’ve prioritized work life balance over bigger paychecks. My pay per hour of effort is phenomenal, though.

Right…
Going all in last year was wrong. I will never get that time back.

I mean it's just the truth and I've always known that. There were periods where I went all-in at work and they were among the most unhappy times of my life. I also realized that I've probably missed my chance making a moonshot on something that would truly change my life, wealth wise. All that's left now is climbing some extra rungs on the ladder so I can afford marginally fancier versions of the things I already have.

Anonymous wrote:I just remind myself that it's all meaningless anyway and I'd rather be outside.

But you started that habit at a certain point (?) What was your watershed moment?

I am continuing unhealthy pattern of working extra hours, giving up weekends, and I am not growing… I am forever stuck as a mid career level while my age is in the senior category… this is so tough… the company again ‘bought me out’ with some sort of bonus and withheld position promotion… it’s not about money anymore…

I just remind myself that it's all meaningless anyway and I'd rather be outside.

Every person reaches some kind of wall at some point and realizes the capabilities have limits. How did this moment play out for you?

I had a set of goals and I just can’t get there in terms of a career ladder. Utter disappointment, although not yet huge despair…