The Journey to Success
A Tale of Sacrifice and Reflection
In the pursuit of professional success, many of us make sacrifices that deeply impact our personal lives and well-being. As a senior manager in a technology company, my journey has been one of rapid career progression, promotions, and numerous achievements. However, these milestones came at a cost—a price paid in the form of long work-hours, stress, neglected nutrition, extensive travel and relocation, lack of hobbies, diminished friendships, and deferred family planning.
In this blog, I share the highs and lows of my journey, shedding light on the sacrifices made and the lessons learned along the way.
Like many ambitious individuals, my career aspirations burned brightly from an early age. I invested countless hours studying, honing my skills, and pushing the boundaries of my knowledge and expertise. However, I was also confused about where this journey would take me. As my 4 year PhD studies were coming to an end and the stress of completing my thesis peaked, so did my uncertainty of where I would go next, from Bristol to the unknown. I had job offers in Mexico, Sydney, Cyprus, and Germany. I chose the latter, yet often wonder how my life would have been had I chosen differently. There were many similar uncertainty peaks during my studies and professional career and they would almost always end with a relocation from one country to another, meaning I had to pack my life into a few boxes, say goodbye to my routine, my flat, and my friends, and start over.
In 2017, I found stability and enough room to grow in an ambitious startup called Ultraleap (my current employer). I dived in and gave it everything. The rewards were swift: promotions, recognition, and a reputation for excellence. The upward trajectory felt exhilarating, and I embraced the challenges that came my way with unwavering determination.
The Toll on My Well-being: As the demands of my career grew, so did the toll on my mental and physical health. Long hours became the norm, leaving little time for self-care or relaxation. The stress of meeting deadlines, overseeing teams, reporting, and navigating corporate politics weighed heavily on me. I found solace in my work, often sacrificing personal relationships and the pursuit of hobbies that once brought me joy.
Neglected Nutrition and Health: A busy schedule left little room for prioritizing nutrition. Quick meals on the go and reliance on caffeine became the norm. The consequences manifested gradually, with diminished energy levels, weight fluctuations, skin conditions, and a weakened immune system. Panadol and Ibuprofen painkillers became a daily remedy for my jetlags and hangovers - drinking is popular in science, creativity, and networking activities. It became apparent that neglecting my health was not a sustainable path.
Deferred Hobbies and Family Planning: Once cherished hobbies and passions took a backseat as work consumed every waking moment. The creative outlets that once fueled my spirit lay dormant, gathering dust. The dream of starting a family, one that had once been a priority, was indefinitely postponed due to the demands of my career and the lack of social support. There was just not enough time nor energy for me and my partner to responsibly have, bring up, and look after a healthy baby.
The Loneliness of Extensive Travel: In the pursuit of expanding the company's reach and seizing new opportunities, extensive travel became an integral part of my role. I’d visit over 12 countries per year. While initially exciting, the constant movement took its toll on my emotional well-being. The loneliness of hotel rooms and airports eroded the joy of exploring new places.
The last straw: Finally, the loss of a close family member became a painful reminder of the sacrifices made for professional growth and that time does not stop and wait for you.
Through the highs and lows, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of balance, self-care, and setting boundaries. I realized that my worth was not solely defined by professional achievements but by the quality of my personal relationships, my well-being, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life beyond the confines of the workplace. Luckily, my employer was flexible and understanding and gave me the room I needed to slow down and refocus some of my energy on things that matter to me personally. I’m so grateful for this.
As I reflect on my journey, I am committed to reclaiming the neglected aspects of my life. I now strive to establish a healthier work-life balance, nourish my body with nutritious meals, reconnect with neglected hobbies, and foster meaningful connections with loved ones. I understand that success does not need to come at the expense of personal happiness and well-being.
My professional journey is far from over and I still have many fights and challenges ahead of me, yet it has already been marked by sacrifice and achievement. I share this story to remind others that while the pursuit of success is commendable, it should not come at the cost of your health, relationships, and overall happiness. It is never too late to recalibrate and prioritize the things that truly matter in life.
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Photo credit www.yorgos-stavrinos.com/