Are you climbing the right ladder?
Are you climbing the right ladder? As we navigate our careers, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success as defined by society. But what if that success isn't aligned with our values and goals? In this newsletter, we explore the importance of climbing the right ladder and how it can lead to fulfillment in your career.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is climbing the wrong ladder, and it's essential to make sure that the ladder you're climbing aligns with your values and goals. Success by society's standards can be a double-edged sword. While it can be motivating to check off boxes, get promoted and do well in your current role, it can also lead you in a direction that may not be fulfilling.
According to the book "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, "People waste a lot of time working on the wrong problem. If they are lucky, they will fail miserably quickly and get forced by circumstance into working on better problems. If they are unlucky and smart, they'll succeed - we call it the success disaster - and wake up ten years later wondering how the hell they got to wherever they are, and why they are so unhappy."
If you're an early career woman in tech, you may relate to this feeling. You did well in school, and you have picked a lucrative career that others would kill to be in. While the benefits, stability, and high salaries are great, is this what your heart truly desires? It's valid if the answer is no.
It's crucial to ask yourself those tough questions and make sure you explore them. While it's hard to know what you want early in your career without experience, it's also important to keep trying new things until you find what clicks. If the answers seem fuzzy and unclear, don't worry; that's entirely normal. Have a bias for action and keep looking until you find your true passion.
Personal development resources and coaching can be invaluable in this process. If you're interested in pursuing your true passions in your tech career, I encourage you to sign up for a 1-1 call with me.
Thank you for reading. Here's to climbing the right ladder!