2 min read self-development

Career Choices: Short-Term Gain vs. Long-Term Success

Career Choices: Short-Term Gain vs. Long-Term Success
Photo by Pietro Mattia / Unsplash

Most people are just floating from one job to another. They spend their time on LinkedIn looking to polish their profile, sending requests for job postings that earn them more than they currently are. If all goes well, they'll undergo a recruiting process and get hired for that new job. This effort has a limit since, at some point, other companies will notice a pattern:

  1. Get a job.
  2. Do some work.
  3. Look for another job that pays more.
  4. Get a new job.

Repeat every couple of years. And then, your career stops.

I call this person the Stool Sam. Like a stool ladder, this personality will get you climbing steps quickly, but after a few repeats, you will reach your limit.

This contrasts with  Jump-Go John, who focuses on developing his skills, building relationships, and creating a long-term career plan. This individual takes time to understand the industry they work in and the companies they are interested in. He looks for opportunities to grow and develop, taking on new responsibilities and learning new skills. Jump-Go John takes ownership of complex duties without being asked to. He strives for steady, continuous growth and success.

Jump-Go John is the type of guy who doesn't ask how he can be helpful. He just IS helpful.

Stool Sam is often motivated by a desire for immediate financial gain and may overlook the importance of developing a solid foundation in their field. Once things turn challenging at his job, he craves another change and deludes into thinking that another job will solve a problem that does not exist.

In the long run, Stool Sam will face job instability and a plateau in career advancement. Worse yet, he will probably blame others for his misfortune.

Jump-Go John, on the other hand, takes responsibility for his career. He invests in his future by building a solid foundation and continuously expanding his skill set. This approach results in a more secure and fulfilling career with long-term benefits.

When considering your career goals, be like Jump-Go John.