OT: General OT Thread [NO POLITICS, RACE OR RELIGION]

[wichmae]

How do you know when you "made it" professionally. Like is there a timeline beyond a honeymoon phase in a job, or is it a scenario where you just know when you know.

When you retire.

weird answer DB

[ReasonablySober]

How do you know when you "made it" professionally. Like is there a timeline beyond a honeymoon phase in a job, or is it a scenario where you just know when you know.

When you retire.

weird answer DB

I'm being serious. I know a lot of folks who Made It (great company, great position, great location) who got sh*t-canned on the whim of some VP when they didn't like a few numbers. But maybe you work for yourself and that's not something you need to worry about.

[jute2003]

How do you know when you "made it" professionally. Like is there a timeline beyond a honeymoon phase in a job, or is it a scenario where you just know when you know.

I think it depends on what motivates you.

[Iheartfootball]

How do you know when you "made it" professionally. Like is there a timeline beyond a honeymoon phase in a job, or is it a scenario where you just know when you know.

Can you expand a little on the question? Maybe some background of you and what you do? How you value work and what it means to your identity?

Or do you just mean, ‘when will I feel comfortable at work?’

I have a thoughtful answer but I don’t know if it answers your question.

[jschligs]

Here’s how I know I made it. I know what I want in life.

Early in my career it was money, advancement, title. I was always looking for that next step up, that next pay increase, whatever. I didn’t care if I hated the job, I just thought if I put in 40-60 hours I would enjoy money and doing what I want at home. I hated life. I ended up losing my job twice for reasons completely out of my control. I got new jobs, got married, had kids, etc.

Now, I know what I want very clearly. I want job security, work life balance, and enough to live the life I want and not hate myself every morning I wake up and have to go to work.

I have a job I don’t mind (I’m not passionate about it but I don’t hate it), I work with and for people I really like, I have fun at work, and when I leave at 4:30pm I don’t check my email. I’ve been on paternity leave and haven’t thought about work once. I also make an impact at work both with the work I do and the people. And to boot, I have the best job security possible as the owners/CEO and me have a great relationship. I feel like I’ve made it. That’s my answer. I’ve gotten 2 offers for more money and responsibility and I’ve turned it down. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and to me, that’s the key.

[MikeIsGood]

Yeah, feeling your answer j. I just left a really toxic job after 10 years of being there. It wasn't always that way, but it had turned that way the past three years or so for various reasons and it finally came time for change. I was never happy during the week, I was always connected, often working weekends, asked to do more/wasn't getting backfills on my team, frozen pay, no one was helping each other anymore. It was absolutely awful.

It made me think back to a friend of mine who I watched go from manager > director > VP and just got progressively more miserable. It's not that it has to be that way, but we were in a toxic environment. She got out sooner than I did, but that was the moment I remember thinking that I didn't care anymore how far I moved up. I just wanted to be happy, man. Work/life balance has become more important to me. A healthy work environment was more important than ever to me. Etc.

So I'd agree that it's about knowing what you want. Write it down so you can align yourself to it; sounds cheesy in the digital age, but I found it really helpful. Maybe you really do want to keep moving up and up, and that's fine too. I think that's why it's not a one-size-fits-all answer.

[Mags FTW]

In short, my idea of "making it" is having a job you don't dread going to on Monday morning that compensates you enough to do all of the things you would like to do within reason.

"I want to retire by age 65."

"I want to go see the Packers play in Vegas this year."

"I want to redo the kitchen within the next few years."

etc.

[jute2003]

For me being self employed, it was kind of a multi stage thing.

First stage was obviously when I realized my wife and I could support ourselves with our business.

Second was when people in our industry started recognizing our business name without knowing us personally. Having strangers tell you that your business is one that they follow and try to emulate is a good way to make you feel like you've made it.

[LUKE23]

Good discussion - I think it comes down to what others have said - do you enjoy going to work? Do other people recognize the value you bring to the organizatiion (and let you kow about it)? Are you paid enough to enjoy life the way you want to enjoy it? If you can check all three of those boxes, I'd say you are good. Money obviously matters a lot, we need it to live and having more alleviates stress, which is a big deal. But money and the material things it buys cannot fill the holes that stress, micromanagement, being overworked or unrecognized create.

I'm actually at a weird point in my professional life - making the most money I ever have, and I have the most free time I've ever had (I'm self-employed), which is a great combination in many aspects especially in the summer. But one thing I'm massively struggling with is that our day to day operations and the actual tasks that need to be completed during the work week to prepare for the weekend are mind numbingly easy/repetitive and just not mentally fulfilling. I honestly feel like I'm getting dumber as the years go. I'm trying to balance what I want do do next, especially in the winter I'm going to need something else to keep my brain occupied, but also have no interest in working for anyone again or working full-time.

[LUKE23]

For me being self employed, it was kind of a multi stage thing.

First stage was obviously when I realized my wife and I could support ourselves with our business.

Second was when people in our industry started recognizing our business name without knowing us personally. Having strangers tell you that your business is one that they follow and try to emulate is a good way to make you feel like you've made it.

I echo these sentiments.

[emunney]

Personally won't feel like I made it until I could retire if I wanted. Real agency.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think it's natural that what motivates and fullfils you evolves over time. I also think people kind of go overboard with thinking they have to love what they do for work or they failed at life or something. Like it's ok to just be fine with your work if it's providing the financial security that's allowing you to love other aspects of your life. I'm kind of at that with my work situation currently, don't love it but I make good money and since my first priority is supporting my family and spending time with my wife and kids I'll keep doing it. Once my kids are out of the house maybe that will change my priorities and I'll be willing take a cut in pay for something I enjoy more.

I think this evolution of priorities happens all the time but it really hits when you're around 40. At that point you've been working for long enough to have a good idea what you like and dislike but you still have 20+ years ahead of you. Mid life crisis is cliche but now that I'm at this age I get it.

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[MickeyDavis]

Primetime US Open is great

[wichmae]

How do you know when you "made it" professionally. Like is there a timeline beyond a honeymoon phase in a job, or is it a scenario where you just know when you know.

The reason I bring this up is I just left what I though was my forever role. In one of the largest companies in the world to take a director level role at a non-profit and I honestly am wondering why I didn't do this sooner. Money is close but the rewards factoring is a gap as wide as the continent. I am just in a weird spot mentally that I have never thought I would be in a position where the stress was as low as it has been and rewarding at the same time. My actual work is now making a difference besides on a profit margin.

I loved my previous job and the challenges it gave me, as well as, the compensation tied to the role. I'm just kind of mind blown at this point and don't want to be overtly excited.

[MikeIsGood]

Rickie Fowler is absolute chaos.

[MickeyDavis]

Final round will be wild. Lots of top names on the leaderboard.

Rickie and Rory at +225, Clark is +250 and Schleffer at +400

[MickeyDavis]

Happy Fathers Day. For those who have a dad (I don't) I hope you can spend some time together. If you are a dad I hope you can spend time with your kid(s). In SE Wisconsin it's a perfect day to grill and/or hang out at a beer garden, tailgate/go to the game, lots of options.

[buckboy]

Final round will be wild. Lots of top names on the leaderboard.

Rickie and Rory at +225, Clark is +250 and Schleffer at +400

I bet Scheffler last night. Got him at +650.

[MickeyDavis]

The only movement at the Poto sportsbook since last night is Clark is now at +275.

[buckboy]

If I hadn't already bet Scheffler that's who I'd take at this mornings odds.

What's DJ?

He's been great this week other than that ridiculous 8.