Don’t Settle For ‘Successful Enough’

Every career is a mix of comfort and struggle, complacency and striving. In a recent Gallup study, only 33% of U.S. employees reported being engaged at work. As “quiet quitting” becomes less of a buzzword and more of a recognized reality, it’s no surprise that employees are settling to do just enough in their jobs. Too much striving, and you burn yourself out, along with everyone around you. Too much comfort, and you end up “successful enough,” the ultimate slight for the driven person, the participation trophy for a life’s work.

If you expect to have a significant impact, expect some struggles. Per Michele Borba, a psychologist and author of her recent book Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine: “Thrivers are made, not born.“