Stop With The Upward Mobility Already!

Summary

The author argues against the societal pressure for constant upward mobility, advocating for contentment with stable, non-managerial roles for the greater good of society.

Abstract

The article titled "Stop With The Upward Mobility Already!" criticizes the expectation that everyone should aspire to be bosses or managers. The author points out the unsustainable nature of this trend, influenced by parenting and education systems that instill a sense of entitlement to high-paying jobs post-college. They emphasize that it's acceptable to remain in a current position if it provides a sustainable living, challenging the notion that everyone is destined for financial independence. The author, a Director at a public agency who reluctantly accepted the role, shares personal insights into the loss of job security and increased stress that can accompany management positions. They suggest re-evaluating personal ambitions, questioning the self-centered motivations behind the desire for upward mobility, and instead focusing on being a productive and kind member of society. The article calls for a collective shift towards gratitude for what we have and working towards the well-being of all, rather than chasing individual dreams at the expense of others.

Opinions

The author believes that the societal push for upward mobility is unsustainable and based on a false sense of entitlement.
They suggest that the current generation's expectations of high salaries and managerial positions are unrealistic and fueled by misguided parenting and higher education.
The author expresses that job satisfaction and sustainability are more important than constantly striving for promotions.
They argue that not everyone is meant to be a leader or manager and that there is dignity in being a reliable worker in any role.
The author criticizes self-help books that promote the idea of individual exceptionalism, stating that this mindset can lead to societal chaos.
They advocate for a collective approach to ambition, where personal goals should benefit society as a whole and not just the individual.
The author values the importance of being kind, honest, and supportive to others, regardless of one's job title or position.
They emphasize the importance of gratitude for having basic necessities, especially when many around the world lack them.
The article suggests that the pursuit of personal wealth and status should not come at the cost of the collective well-being.
The author quotes JFK to reinforce the idea of contributing to the common good and suggests that this principle should extend beyond national borders to encompass the entire world.

Stop With The Upward Mobility Already!

We can’t all be the boss.

Does no one see the writing on the wall? We cannot all be promoted. We cannot all be owners, managers, and bosses.

I’m noticing this unsettling trend in the younger workforce. They generally seem to have this idea that we are obliged to provide them with a path to upward mobility.

It’s not their fault, it’s our entire system starting with parenting and on through college. Do the math as it’s simple really. We cannot sustain this. Consider not raising your children to believe they are owed triple figures for simply procuring a college degree.

It’s okay to stay where you are if you’re making a sustainable living.

You get that, right?

No one was preordained at birth to be financially independent, although that sounds lovely. You are owed dickety squat.

Sorry, it’s simply true.

I am a Director at a public agency. I attained the position reluctantly at first. I accepted the position because I didn’t want another insecure, self-important boss supervising me or my co-workers. I felt weirdly obligated. I nearly had an anxiety attack when the position was offered to me.

I lost job security by accepting a management position. I went from being a civil servant to now being a contract employee. I can be discontinued each year if they so choose. I have fucking MS. I may, in fact, be a moron.

When I was getting out of high school in the late eighties, my Pop was preaching that I needed to get a Union job at one of our local factories, or better yet, maybe I luck out and get a local government job. He said I wouldn’t get rich but the benefits were great.

Well, eventually I did get a government job, and then pissed the security part away by becoming a contract employee. Sure, I got a few more shekels, but was it worth it?

Stay tuned.

My point here is don’t shit on staying put. We need good reliable everyday workers. It doesn’t make you unmotivated to stay where you are. Stop reading those godforsaken self-help books telling you you’re special.

There are 8 billion other special people just like you sharing this planet. If everyone were trying to “set themselves apart” what would this world look like? — Look at Los Angeles streets for a sample.

I’m not trying to be the shatterer of dreams, here, but we need to start living in reality. In a certain context we are all special by virtue of the fact that we exist! The scientific odds are not in our favor, but we are here.

Perhaps it’s time to re-examine our ambitions. It’s time to answer why we want certain outcomes in our lives.

What are your “so that’s” or “to what ends?” How will the answers to these questions benefit the whole?

If you find the answers to these questions to be rooted in selfishness, it might be time to realize you kind of suck.

We are at a critical juncture in our world history. Something’s got to give. We need to pan out, because we can’t be about the “me” and expect to survive.

There are plenty of ways to be a productive citizen of the world while working a boring but life sustaining job. Start by being kind, honest, and supportive of your fellow beings.

Be full of gratitude for what you do have. If you have a job providing shelter from the elements, food, and basic necessities, you’re doing way better than a disturbing amount of others on this planet.

Think about that for a moment.

For the area I live in, I make a comfortable living. My wife and I could have sold our little two bedroom home, built in 1894, years ago. We could have followed the American trend of bigger and newer is better, but we stayed put.

We have maximized our living space, upgraded our curb appeal, took out an equity line of credit, and if I die here, I’ll have lived a rich and privileged life compared to billions.

That’s where we go wrong, right? Comparing?

These fucking egos of ours!

JFK was on to something when he said, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” I would change country to the world. There is no room for division based on borders anymore.

I have a feeling, in comments, someone will school me on Kennedy’s shortcomings and intentions, but he had his head removed, so let’s let it rest.

My point was the sentiment behind the statement. We need to live for the collective wellbeing. Not because it’s just a nice thing, but because our very existence depends on it. It’s simply having common sense.

You may see nothing wrong with your dream of warm sunny weather every day, sitting on your patio overlooking the ocean – hell I want that – but not at the expense of everyone else.

I’m lecturing, and I’m not sorry about it. I’m concerned for us.

Aren’t you?

Affordable healthcare for all would be great start.