Navigating Your Career Growth within the Company: Balancing Ambition and Patience

Career growth is a journey, not a sprint! It requires a balance between ambition and patience, especially when you're viewing career growth as something straightforward. However, this journey typically involves many twists and turns and the reality is that career success rarely happens overnight or without setbacks. It’s important to maintain the right perspective, so you can stay motivated and not discouraged.

The Myth of “Having it All”

Social media has fueled the idea that you can have it all - a high-paying career, a glamorous lifestyle, a picture-perfect family, and endless time for personal hobbies. However, what we typically don’t see is the hard work and TIME it takes to achieve success. In the West, we put a large emphasis on reaching the “pinnacle of success” / “The American Dream.” Yet this narrow view of success created unrealistic expectations. The underlying question is, if we want this so badly, when do we reach it? Is there a specific moment when we've truly "arrived"? Or will we always be wanting more and more - leading to never being satisfied?

To break free from this cycle, it’s important to redefine what success means on a personal level. The goal should be to create a life and career where success doesn’t mean constantly striving for more, but finding contentment in the journey.

But…What if you’re still feeling dissatisfied with your current job? What should you do when your career seems to be moving at a snail’s pace?

First, think about how you truly define success…

Money - 

There is no shame in finding success in financial stability or even wealth. You might have grown up in a poverty situation where you watched your parents struggle and now you’ve decided you don’t want your family to walk through the same situation. 

Flexibility - 

Others might view success as having the flexibility to balance work with personal life. This might mean working remotely, having flexible hours or taking extended vacation time.

Job Security - 

Many people define success as having a stable job with long-term security. In a constantly changing job market, having a secure position might provide these individuals with peace of mind.

Second, Avoid Extreme Thoughts/Behaviors

When your progress is slower than expected, it’s tempting to swing to one of two extremes; either giving up and staying in a job that doesn’t align with your goals (aka quiet quitting) or actually quitting prematurely in search of quicker success elsewhere. Staying in a role that doesn’t align with your long-term goals can lead to complacency, but on the other hand, abruptly quitting without a clear plan might lead to unexpected difficulties. We live in a world that wants instant gratification, but most of the time it’s useful to take a look around and see the good in your current situation. Consider whether you’re learning new skills, gaining responsibility, making connections, etc. Sometimes progress is subtle and occurs in ways that you might not immediately see.

Third, Seek Mentorship and Shadowing Opportunities

Having a mentor or a sounding board can be invaluable! The first person I worked for after graduating college, always encouraged the concept of a mentor. She naturally was a mentor to so many. Her mindset was never that of “knowledge is power”, she was exactly the opposite. She wholeheartedly believed in sharing all she could to help make others around her successful. Equally so, she would not always provide the answer but instead provide opportunities for me to offer up some possible solutions and then collaborate with me on the pros and cons of each. Last but certainly not least, she spoke truth to me. She never hesitated to give me constructive feedback, while encouraging me through the challenging times. Still, to this day, I bounce things off her when in moments of uncertainty or just need another objective point of view. I attribute a lot of the wins and how I navigated the challenging times in my career to her. Career discussions were a regular part of our formal working relationship. These typically happen at least once a year. She invested in helping me learn to balance ambition with patience, and how important it was to rarely pass up an opportunity to learn or shadow someone else. Shadowing someone in a different role provides a unique opportunity to understand aspects of your organization or industry that you might not have known. This could be a great opportunity for you to identify any skills you might need to learn in order to progress.

Fourth, Keep an Open Mind About Job Titles

Job titles can be a trap if you place too much emphasis on them. Different companies use different titles for similar roles, and a lower title doesn’t necessarily mean less responsibility or impact on the company. It's also important to reassess your goals periodically. If you've been working toward a specific title or role for a long time with little progress, consider whether it's time to re-evaluate your career path or adjust your expectations. Focus on the skills and experiences you're gaining, rather than fixating on a particular title. Ultimately, it's the knowledge and expertise you acquire that will drive your career forward.

In conclusion, navigating your career growth within a company requires a thoughtful approach and you must find a balance between your ambition or being patient. While it’s easy to get caught up in the lifestyle that is portrayed on social media, we must remember that success is a journey, not a destination. By maintaining this perspective you can navigate the ups and downs of your career with resilience and confidence.