Carolyn Hax: Worker wants success but has ‘no desire to hustle’

A reader is glad for a recent, meaningful career switch, but also feels "zero desire to be the try-hard I once was." ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) Worker wants success but has 'no desire to hustle' Hi Carolyn! In 2019, after 10 years in another industry, I switched to the industry I had always aimed for before pesky things like the Great Recession got in the way. I have been relatively happy with this switch and decided I wanted to gain a better perspective by getting a graduate degree. I truly believe in the kind of work I do and I want to make sure I do it in the most knowledgeable way possible. Simultaneously, I am starting to realize just how unambitious I am. I have zero desire to be the try-hard I once was. I want to keep work in its box so that I can have a full life outside of work. This feels incongruent to getting a graduate degree, even though I am enjoying my experience immensely — and it is free because I have a fellowship. I hope I can have a successful career post-graduation, but it feels like I might have to hustle a bit to do so. I have no desire to hustle. Do you have any tips on how to lead a meaningful and successful career without ambition overrunning my entire life? How can I be successful without being ambitious? — Maybe I Suck Read Carolyn's Response     ADVERTISEMENT   Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. Ex's child was stillborn. Bad time to ask, 'Haven't I suffered enough?' Read more »   Go for one-on-one compassion and skip the group shame Read more »   Unhappy husband must look past cliché Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Recipes for seasonal and delicious recipes from Post food editors and experts, every Saturday. Sign up »

Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Carolyn Hax | Privacy Policy | Help You received this email because you signed up for Carolyn Hax or because it is included in your subscription. ©2023 The Washington Post | 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071