If you're content, do you need to better yourself?

[highkicknomore]

I got into a big discussion with my friend today regarding being content.

I told him I want to try out a new field at work if I ever got a chance, sales. Currently I'm in IT. I want to try out sales so I can understand how/what it takes for businesses to make money.

He told me, it'll just be stressful and I shouldn't even bother. He then said how he's happy with his current job and if he ever got a promotion opportunity, he probably won't take it because it'll stress him out.

He then asked why I'm not content with my life. He might have a point but I think I'm content as he is. I like to challenge myself just so I can grow as a person whether that's in MMA, philosophy or career. He said if you're truly content, you wouldn't even care about challenging yourself.

So my question is this, if you're really content with your life, do you need to challenge yourself?

 

[loyalyolayal]

ambition is the enemy of contentment.

your friend is wrong & must be happy being mediocre.

 

[fingercuffs]

I made a damned good living out of selling corporate IT for 16 years without really being much of a techy. You'll be selling solutions to people like you, so as long as people like you and you're good at opening doors, building and maintaining relationships and are resilient I think it'd be a great idea. If all else fails you're still up to date with your current job and you go back to that.

 

[highkicknomore]

I made a damned good living out of selling corporate IT for 16 years without really being much of a techy. You'll be selling solutions to people like you, so as long as people like you and you're good at opening doors, building and maintaining relationships and are resilient I think it'd be a great idea. If all else fails you're still up to date with your current job and you go back to that.

The bolded part, I'm naturally good at.

For the most part, I can connect with people within the first minute. Sure there's always awkwardness once in a while but overall, I'm open to everyone and they trust me. Then we just bond over little things whether it's comics, movies or something trivial.

I might have a hard time with the resiliency part because I don't like to push people and make decisions for them. That's why I want to try it out and see if the job will come naturally to me.

I told my friend the same thing you did. If I won't like the position, I'll go back to my regular position.

Then he said, "you're just creating problems you don't need because someone might take over your job by the time you try to get back."

Mind blown.

 

[Linkuei]

I would always want to better myself. Keeps me motivated.

 

[fingercuffs]

The bolded part, I'm naturally good at.

For the most part, I can connect with people within the first minute. Sure there's always awkwardness once in a while but overall, I'm open to everyone and they trust me. Then we just bond over little things whether it's comics, movies or something trivial.

I might have a hard time with the resiliency part because I don't like to push people and make decisions for them. That's why I want to try it out and see if the job will come naturally to me.

I told my friend the same thing you did. If I won't like the position, I'll go back to my regular position.

Then he said, "you're just creating problems you don't need because someone might take over your job by the time you try to get back."

Mind blown.

So then you go get a similar position with another company. Simples.

IT Managers, TAs etc will automatically warm to you because of your background. I think your friend doesn't like the idea that you might end up making a shitton of commission.

 

[Bear Man]

I'm never content with what I've accomplished, be it in the gym, at work, or at home but I'm also very competitive. I don't like to be second best.

 

[highkicknomore]

So then you go get a similar position with another company. Simples.

IT Managers, TAs etc will automatically warm to you because of your background. I think your friend doesn't like the idea that you might end up making a shitton of commission.

He doesn't really care about money. He makes about as much as I do and has no debts. Not that we make a crapload, we just know how to budget. So he's financially stable.

To him having more stress = less happiness....which leads me to my response below.

I'm never content with what I've accomplished, be it in the gym, at work, or at home but I'm also very competitive. I don't like to be second best.

Not to attack you but if you're never happy with your accomplishments, overall, are you happy with your life or does it create more stress?

This is what my friend was talking about. He said why complicate your life and get more stressed out if you're content with life?

To me, I guess I feel restless when I'm stagnant and wasting time not doing anything productive. Not saying I work hard all the time because I like to sleep and watch plenty of Netflix.

 

[Bear Man]

He doesn't really care about money. He makes about as much as I do and has no debts. Not that we make a crapload, we just know how to budget. So he's financially stable.

To him having more stress = less happiness....which leads me to my response below.



Not to attack you but if you're never happy with your accomplishments, overall, are you happy with your life or does it create more stress?

This is what my friend was talking about. He said why complicate your life and get more stressed out if you're content with life?

To me, I guess I feel restless when I'm stagnant and wasting time not doing anything productive. Not saying I work hard all the time because I like to sleep and watch plenty of Netflix.

No, I wouldn't say I'm ever "unhappy", I've accomplished a lot and really just enjoy the feeling of separating myself from the herd. I have unhappy moments obviously because you can't win them all but the feeling of accomplishment way outweighs that for me. Like you said, I would just feel stagnant settling for the same old same old day in and day out. That, would make me unhappy. Sometimes you need a challenge.

 

[csroster]

Content is just a nice way of saying, 'I give up.'

If you don't have any stress or pressure, you aren't doing anything worthwhile.

 

[Vincent86]

it depends on the person obviously, you and your friend are both right

 

[emax]

There is no requirement to force yourself to get a more prestigious job, and get more money and more influence and try new and dangerous things and no one should ever feel they have to. That is what free will is all about. One of the side effects of the Age of Narcissism is a pathological need among the masses to have the best at everything and become the best at everything. And too often they feel it should be handed over to them simply because they publicly demanded it. That was the motivation for more than a few Occupy Wall Street protestors, whether anyone concedes this or not. I mean, who in earlier generations could ever have imagined for a microsecond that they would have the time and energy to protest and demand for the best of everything and a life without hardship like the Occupiers often did? I am sure there are older folks here laughing their asses off at the thought that they would have ever had time for that.

 

[black ghost 62]

I was somewhat content with the job I had. Then I ended up taking a supervisor position and I've been stressing like crazy. As long as I'm moving up in the company, I will be content, and it will be more worthwhile.

 

[Sexy]

Even if you're content, a person should always be trying to better yourself.

 

[bcordova]

Yea I think you should always have some sort of goal or hobbie that furthers yourself. Being content with a job, relationship, or where you live is perfectly fine but there are always parts of your life that could use a boost.

 

[Jermei]

Content with what? I'm content with a lot of things and it's comforting, on the other hand i'm not content with other parts of my life and feel like I need to do more to improve it... being content is relative to the problem or desire.

 

[Rusk]

I must be the best Rusk i can be, otherwise what is the point?

 

[Rusk]

also when you have a big one, you kind of made it, you can be fat, skinny,ugly, rich or poor or whatever, you will still be more or less content

am sure some sherdogers can relate to this, lol

 

[Jacket time]

I am pretty content for the most part.

But there are alot of people in my life that are no content with how much money I make.
They consider me me poor.

Am I capable of making more....sure

But, I'm pretty damn content.


Although, I am not content when it comes to helping others. I like helping people and feel I can do better sometimes.

 

[AxeMurderer90]

Theres always room to better yourself