The Career Pioneer

If you’ve ever heard of the expression “Keeping up the Joneses” then more than likely you’ve associated the phrase with someone attempting to emulate another individual’s standard of living through the purchase of material things, such as designer wear, a bigger house, or foreign car.

Buying such things aren’t inherently bad. It becomes detrimental and unhealthy when it is done beyond one’s means, which often is the case among “keep up” victims.

Courtesy of StockVault

What does this have to do with living your dreams? A lot actually.

Have you ever wondered how that same expression can be associated with career life, and not just personal? I took a moment to ponder on such things, and created a Top Three list of warning signs if you will, of someone who might be succumbing to the “keeping up with the joneses” trap professionally.

It might sound a little far-fetched, but bear with me.

1. You might be at risk if you’re always wondering what your co-worker’s annual salary is. You’ve even conjured up reasons as to why someone else is more competitive than you, and have sought to even the playing field by replicating some of those imagined superior attributes. Even while you might have stellar experience and possess a similar caliber of education as your peers, you believe they may have an edge because they are of another race; are taller/shorter; attended an Ivy League school on scholarship; are more physically fit; have a different texture hair than you; seem to speak more intelligently; (you fill in the blank).
2. You might be at risk if you’re constantly comparing your job results with someone else’s. Your coworker, who’s been on the job fewer years than you, has just landed a big account. Perhaps an “underling” climbed the ranks suspiciously quicker than you have. Or an old college classmate recently found themselves featured in the New York Times for writing the bestseller you felt you could’ve penned years ago.
3. You might be at risk if a buddy or colleague recently closed on a new house, and you’re wondering how in the world in this economy they were able to afford such an investment. You suddenly find yourself in a deep analytical state — conducting Google searches on the average yearly salary of a county-employed public transportation employee. At this point, it’s plain to see that you’ve crossed the line. You’re totally obsessed with the success of those around you. So much so that the infatuation is hindering your own progress because you’re spending valuable time thinking about other folks, rather than your next move.

It’s something I haven’t written very much about since starting my blog, but comparing oneself to another individual is the deathtrap of so many dreams. 

These examples might seem a bit lighthearted, but hopefully you get the picture.

Let’s face it: we’re all at risk of comparing ourselves and our current job situations to those around us. And while some of the assertions we make about others might be true and valid, it certainly shouldn’t paralyze us from proclaiming our own successes in life and career.

The key is to remain grateful for where our lives have traveled, and to appreciate the blessings that have come our way. 

Despite 2009’s challenges, experiencing the ups and downs are what make us human.

The lesson here is to live with abandon.

Abandon fear.
Abandon doubt.
Abandon efforts to imitate someone else, by becoming uniquely you.

Keep the Discussion Going

How do you plan to live your professional and personal life in the new year? 

2010 is your year, but will you embrace the opportunity to live renewed and with purpose? The choice is yours. And thankfully, it’s as simple as making that choice.

About the Author

Emily Brown is the key contributor and creator of TheCareerPioneer.com, a blog that delivers articles and posts about job industry trends; plus motivational, retrospective stories about career exploration and discovering one’s passion. A journalist and former business reporter at Bloomberg News, her work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and others. Emily lives and works in Washington, DC. She can easily be reached at info@thecareerpioneer.com. Feel free to drop her a line to say “hello,” seek advice, suggest an opportunity or story idea, or provide news of your own.

Her work, including an article on personal branding, will be featured in the upcoming edition of PG Suite Magazine, a Washington, DC area lifestyle magazine.