Here is an article tagged as "success" and "remote work". The two interests most people. "Success" and "remote work," are naturally intriguing, so the title determines whether we proceed to read.
"Gen Z remote workers probably won't become CEOs and will likely fall behind their in-office peers," says an NYU business professor.
Ah, yes. Those who spend extra time commuting to be in the presence of people to hide their lack of productivity puts them in a better position to 1) climb the corporate ranks and 2) take executive positions at other companies. Maybe they won't even become heads of their own startups?
The paywall in front of most content actively prevents a deeper dive into some subjects and writings. Yet, missing the opportunity to read this particular piece doesn't feel like a loss. In fact, I'm saved because I'm spared from the increasingly popular view that the "real world" involves working a job you don't like for pay that's not enough. Even if you go to school, where you spend even more to get qualifications that may or may not "overqualify" you for many gigs, the top positions expect you to be Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne. My reality is, even if I had done everything perfectly and landed a job at one of the Big 4, I still might not enjoy a certain quality of life because that would mean I sacrificed my passion for my vocation - money over happiness.
I mean, look at Sam Bankman-Fried. He was the head of a large cryptocurrency exchange, and instead of running it properly, he squandered everyone's money on politics and agendas. He went to school, worked in-office, and look at what good that did.
Now, they'll say, that's a false equivalence, which to their credit, is true. Just because you go to school doesn't mean you'll end up a fraudster like Bernie Madoff and neither will that prevent it, but that's the idea. Working remotely or commuting doesn't make a difference- in fact, WFH is better on paper.
- reduced traffic generates reduced pollution
- increased employee wellness potentially increases productivity
This text is not a defense of the position for working from home. Rather, this text counters the heavy punch older people and companies throw to knock out anybody defending work-life balance.
The Best Stressed
The following press release could be explained in my words, though it might undermine the gravity and connection to the previous ideas. Work-life balance remains important in a setting following the pandemic. Take the American Psychological Assocation's CEO, Arthur C. Evans at his word.
“The COVID-19 pandemic created a collective experience among Americans. While the early pandemic lockdowns may seem like the distant past, the aftermath remains. We cannot ignore the fact that we have been significantly changed by the loss of more than one million Americans, as well as the shift in our workplaces, school systems and culture at large. To move toward post-traumatic growth, we must first identify and understand the psychological wounds that remain.”
There's a grocery list of pains growing worse because much of life feels so stoic we ignore them. Mr. Evans counters by reminding everyone, only through acknowledgment might we change things.
What an ironic image.
The majority of adults downplay their stress, but still wish they had someone to discuss matters. Adults' top reasons for not seeking treatment include:
- the belief therapy doesn't work (40%)
- lack of time (39%)
- lack of insurance (37%)
Yet, nearly half (47%) wish for a "stress manager", so to speak. Guess who that is? The person you meet in the therapy, classically educated and trained, holds the qualifications to help you manage stress. Yet, many remain stoic skeptics, while their inner voices cry for help. Beautifully tragic, I feel.
Let's hear from you.
- How can we find a balance between pursuing well-paying careers and maintaining happiness and job satisfaction?
- What role does remote work play in changing the dynamics of corporate culture and job prospects?
Share your perspective in the comments below. Do you agree, disagree, or have a different take on the topics discussed? I wanna know what you think.