Come January and there is the inevitable spike in conversations around career anxiety and job snobbery. Topics that define the generation that we are.
It is as if we as a generation have geared ourselves into being 'dissatisfied' in the work that we do. Is 'dissatisfaction' productive and a harbinger of 'greater things to come'?
The logical answer seems to be a Yes. My mom, an army man daughter swore by the philosophy....frighten and shame to improve.
I, however, would argue for a kinder, gentler view. For 'happiness' and 'contentment' to be a part of the success quotient.
"I need to be at peace with myself to create. I guess, I need to define success on my own terms for that," is what I had told my professor at Sloan. I hold on to that view to this day.
Here's Alain de Botton with a way more eloquent take on the subject.
It is as if we as a generation have geared ourselves into being 'dissatisfied' in the work that we do. Is 'dissatisfaction' productive and a harbinger of 'greater things to come'?
The logical answer seems to be a Yes. My mom, an army man daughter swore by the philosophy....frighten and shame to improve.
I, however, would argue for a kinder, gentler view. For 'happiness' and 'contentment' to be a part of the success quotient.
"I need to be at peace with myself to create. I guess, I need to define success on my own terms for that," is what I had told my professor at Sloan. I hold on to that view to this day.
Here's Alain de Botton with a way more eloquent take on the subject.
An interesting thought indeed! I do however believe - to each his own. I need a combination of satisfaction and fright. Satisfaction works initially and the prospect of appreciation and recognition (being honest here!) leads me to try and make it better. But then, the settling in of complacency is not that good a thing too and here I feel the fear of failure forces us to take flight - like an eagle forced to spread it's wings when driven off a cliff by its knowing parent.
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