#CareerGrowth #RemoteJob #CareerProgression #DecisionMaking #WorkLifeBalance
Are you torn between staying at a stagnant, low-stress remote job and venturing into a new position with guaranteed career growth? It’s a decision that many individuals face at some point in their careers. While the allure of a stress-free job with ample free time may seem appealing, it’s essential to consider the long-term implications of your decision. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed choice.
**The Benefits of Staying at a Stagnant Remote Job:**
– Low Stress: One of the most significant advantages of a stagnant remote job is the low-stress environment it offers. With minimal work-related pressure, you can enjoy a healthier work-life balance and focus on personal pursuits.
– Flexibility: Remote jobs often provide flexibility in terms of work hours and location. This flexibility allows you to tailor your work schedule to accommodate other priorities in your life, such as health and well-being.
– Time for Personal Growth: The abundance of free time in a stagnant remote job presents an opportunity for personal growth and development. Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, improving your health, or spending time with loved ones, you have the freedom to prioritize activities that matter to you.
**The Drawbacks of Staying at a Stagnant Remote Job:**
– Limited Career Growth: A stagnant job may lack opportunities for career advancement and progression. Staying in a role with no room for growth could hinder your professional development and limit your earning potential in the long run.
– Financial Impact: While a low-stress job may provide comfort and stability, it could also result in missed opportunities for increased income and financial growth. Consider whether the trade-off of a higher salary and career growth is worth sacrificing your current lifestyle.
– Job Satisfaction: Over time, the lack of challenges and growth opportunities in a stagnant job can lead to feelings of stagnation and dissatisfaction. Assess whether the risk of becoming complacent in your role outweighs the benefits of a stress-free work environment.
**The Benefits of Choosing a New Position with Guaranteed Career Growth:**
– Career Advancement: Opting for a new position with guaranteed career growth can open doors to higher-level roles, increased responsibilities, and professional development opportunities. This trajectory offers the potential for a more fulfilling and challenging career path.
– Increased Earning Potential: A job with guaranteed career growth often comes with the promise of higher pay and enhanced benefits. By capitalizing on your niche experience and contacts, you can position yourself for accelerated financial growth in the long term.
– Skill Development: Embracing a new role that challenges you to step out of your comfort zone can foster skill development and enhance your overall marketability. Investing in your professional growth through a demanding job can pay off in the form of increased opportunities and career trajectory.
**The Drawbacks of Choosing a New Position with Guaranteed Career Growth:**
– Work-Life Balance: Transitioning to a more demanding job with guaranteed career growth may impact your work-life balance. Consider how the increased workload and potential office commute could affect your personal time and well-being.
– Adaptation Challenges: Adjusting to a new role with higher expectations and responsibilities may pose initial challenges. Evaluate whether you’re prepared to navigate the learning curve and thrive in a more demanding work environment.
– Regret: The fear of regretting your decision to leave a comfortable job for a more challenging position is valid. Reflect on your long-term goals, aspirations, and priorities to determine whether the benefits of career growth outweigh the uncertainties of change.
In conclusion, the decision between staying at a stagnant, low-stress remote job and choosing a new position with guaranteed career growth is a personal one that requires careful consideration. While the allure of a stress-free job with ample free time may be tempting, it’s essential to weigh the long-term implications on your career progression, financial growth, and overall job satisfaction. Ultimately, prioritize your goals, values, and aspirations to make an informed choice that aligns with your professional vision and personal well-being. Remember, every career decision is a stepping stone towards your future success and fulfillment.
Hey man! I have the same dilemma and I really cannot decide too!!!!
I wish I had your job!! Honestly, I was in a sort of similar position and I chose more money instead of less work and I sort of regret it (pay was low so I moved on for a better pay). Now I’m in a pickle with a better paying job that’s high stress and impacting my physical/mental health in a negative way.
You’re making decent pay (not sure your area but in my area 66k guarantees a decent lifestyle, above average) and your stress levels are low 85% of the year! If you move on, you’ll be making more money but also spending more money commuting and buying work clothes. You’ll be more likely to be exhausted at the end of the day and not want to go out and walk the dog,workout, or work on the house etc. . So long as you don’t feel like your brain cells are leaking out of your ears due to boredom, I would stay where you are. Less stress means a longer life, better health, and a better quality of life .
Uhhhh not to state the obvious but why not look for a remote job with a higher salary? Problem solved so that its not an Either Or situation but rather an And situation: staying remote with good quality of life AND have a higher salary.
In terms of evaluating the in office position- the question you need to ask yourself is how much are you willing to pay for your current quality of life? Or how much of a paycut will you take to stay remote? Its perfectly valid to make that choice if you have to. But since you havent told us you looked for a higher paying remote job it seems like its a dilemma you are forcing on yourself.
No one can know what you will or won’t regret in the future.
You seem aware of the tradeoffs, which you state in your first sentence. There’s no right answer here, discuss with your spouse and do what you believe is best. “Best” is that combination of pay, benefits, working conditions, future growth opportunities, work/life time, etc, that matches your combination of aptitudes and needs. Good luck!
I wish I had worked harder when I was younger, moving jobs to make money makes sense in the long run. You may not have that option when you hit your 50-60s.
What do you do? And more importantly how easy is it to land this gig?
45 to 55K remote would be life changing for me lol.
Why are you working? To live the life you want, or to provide a sense of identity?
If you were independently wealthy, what would you do?
You’re basically living the life of an independently wealthy person, so do whatever your passion is
If that’s enabling the war machine to be more efficient, then take the job
If it’s something else, then stay where you are and branch out.
I left a high level federal job to drive a semi—I miss the salary & vacation, but I wake up happy again
You seem too old to buy into the ‘busy executive’ thing…especially since you’ve seen the other side
Expand a hobby—get into charitable work, community theater, learn a martial art…whatever
That’d be my choice
One thing to keep in mind—once you move up, it’s almost impossible to move back down…I’m not even sure why
My first choice w my career was to move back to being an operator—the guy who does what my specialty was—but, it was basically impossible.
Overqualified is def a thing.
Could you potentially build a good rapport with this potential employer, having them keep you in their system if they think youd look good for them? That might be a thing of the past, but if they would offer you a job now because they like you, they might keep you in mind for the future… then you could keep your current job longer and move on later? Also maybe you can keep your eyes peeled for a job that offers more freedom but also pays more?
This is a tough decision.
You would likely need to grind for 2-3 years but then you could take your higher salary and get a remote job again making more money. That’s what I’d do, but I wouldn’t be super happy about it.
What is your plan for a family?
I am full time remote with a pretty slow job. We haven’t had children yet but it definitely benefits our household that I have a similar flexibility to you. I am able to make hot meals for my fiance when she gets home and clean when work isn’t busy.
I feel like a housewife sometimes but I don’t mind it. 30 year old male.
Money isn’t everything. If you have that much free time you can just pick up a side hustle. I’d love a job like yours.
This is a “you” thing, but I personally wouldn’t do that for an incremental $20k.
I’m in a similar position, I’m 29 turning 30 and make $65k and my husband makes $100k.
I have more work than you do and am more active on my computer, but I really don’t have much to do and my work is pretty easy for me and I’m more familiar with this particular platform than anyone else on my team and have the most excel skills which helps me be efficient.
I am in a pickle if I should look so I told myself maybe I’ll look in a year. I’m also scared of going to another job where maybe I make more but I’m more likely to get laid off.
I feel like I have more security here.
I would maybe see if taking the other job would give you a better chance or retiring earlier and investing more? How does your partner feel?
Do you have decent savings? How long have you been in your current role?
I am in my current role after leaving my last easy going job and this one ended up being easy going as well just a little more in-depth so maybe you can find another job that pays more where you’re not going to be crazy stressed but you’ll still have free time and relaxation
Edit: oh I just noticed the new job is not remote, that’s something to consider as well. I personally would only leave for another remote job that pays more.
I’ll just say it. My two cents is you are way too young to be coasting already. Take opportunities now while they are available to you, as that will not always be the case.
From what you’ve described, leaving your job is not worth the $20k increase. What I’d instead do, since you know you’re contract expires in ’25 and you’re not tight on money – use some free time you have to acquire certs or skills that are relevant in your field. Then start applying for positions where the pay increase would be a more meaningful relative to work load. If you’re in Finance or Banking, even something as simple as a Modeling cert goes a long way.
Yes
upvoting since I’m in a similar place, but older and thank you for posting.
Well, it sounds like you’re gonna have to decide in a year or two so it won’t be forever
I really don’t get people who complain about having too much free time with a remote job. Being stuck in an office with no free time SUCKS no matter how much money you make. Time is a more precious resource than money. If you feel like it’s a dead end – use all that free time to take a course. Go travel somewhere cool. Invest your extra cash into something that will make you money like a HYSA or Index funds. Remote work allows us to LIVE the way we want to – take advantage of that. You’re one of the lucky few who are still able to be remote.
I’m stuck in an office job now after being remote for 2 years and let me tell you – it blows. I would trade a lower salary for time/location freedom any day. I barely have time to do my laundry or go to the grocery store now.
Keep the low stress job. You don’t know how good you’ve got it. If you’re really that bored, take on freelance gigs or a second part time job for extra money where you call the shots.
Plus, no position has “guaranteed” growth. It’s a trap!
If you are able to save enough for retirement, then stay with the easy job. However, if you cannot save for retirement, then future you is going to be in a lot of trouble.
I’ve been stuck in this scenario for quite awhile. I’ve had some health issues previously that I think we’re due to stress and I just can’t bring myself to take on a stressful position even though I need the money, and like you said when you factor in gas, wardrobes, etc. it’s really just not worth it these days. I’ve been focusing on some side hustles, investing, day trading etc. to try to increase my income, but on my own time and minimizing stress.
Low stress job is worth sooo much money vs a super high stress job workinf a ton of OT.
it’s hard to leave your comfort zone, but putting yourself out there can bring lots of great things. think about it.
Another thing to consider is your future with your partner. If you decide to start a family it’s nice to have a partner with a flexible work schedule to handle family stuff. If your partner is on track to have strong career growth then let them take the lead and you provide the family support and keep your easy job.
The only one who can answer that question is you. If your current income works for you and your partner then why leave? Personally, I’m not giving up cushy remote work for in person, and definitely not for a measly 20k.
I was in a similar position a while ago, my job had very little work when we went into lock down as we’d just finished a lot of big projects and everyone was happy to chill for a while. Also we had great stable systems in place (I work in IT) so there was nothing needing fixing. It was nice to have the spare time but after a while it got boring and once we started going back to the office a couple of days a week another job came up somewhere else at a great company that was expanding quite a lot.
I took the new job and it turned out to be a great decision although there was a point where it did get stressful about a month in, partly because my dad died and I didn’t feel I could suddenly take lots of leave a month after starting.
For me though I like to keep busy and be challenged, if you’re really happy in your situation I would always say take that over the money.
Hard choice to make but it’s a lot of money and time and energy to get ready and go to work and eat every day
It’s perfectly fine to go the route of less resistance. Me personally would go the guaranteed career growth road.