They say that nobody’s last words will be “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” But I’m not sure that’s really true. Some people are blessed with occupations that align their own calling with paid compensation.
They are the enviable ones. But even if your job is just a job, all labour has its own dignity, both in the action itself and for what it brings you and your family in the form of security and comfort. So you find yourself at a crucial point.
But this issue of the imminent promotion reveals a deeper strain than just making a job-related decision. What do you truly value in life? It seems that family is very important, maybe more important than career. Okay.
But that indicates a relative valuation, not a stark either-or choice. Despite what people say about the impossibility of work-life balance, you can satisfy both ends. Work to weave the achievements of one into the joys of the other.
Work is part of life, and all life is a balance-beam routine. Execute with as much grace as you can muster. So here’s my suggestion.
Don’t sit there hoping someone will notice your extra work and sacrifices of family time. If you think you warrant a promotion, ask for it! And when the bosses make you an offer, tell them that part of the deal is more structured time for family. This is your moment of leverage: use it to get the harmony you want and deserve.
Aesop’s fable about the ant and the grasshopper has alas been much abused as a parable of hard work’s valu.