You Can Be Anything You Want To Be

 You can be anything you want to be. You can even be 'just' what you are...

I was a Gifted Child(TM) and was told over and over I could be anything. And when I got into the working world, I had multiple bosses, during reviews, push me toward that next promotion or that harder, higher-paying job.

But you know what? I don't want a promotion. I like what I do, and I am REALLY good at it. I feel valued by my coworkers and clients and supported by my boss, and I love having the answer for things when people ask. 

Better yet, I get paid a very comfortable salary and have excellent working hours (from home even), and have plenty of time and energy left to do non-work things.

It took a while to stop feeling guilty because I wasn't going for CEO and President and stuff, and instead just enjoy where I'm at. But I'm there.

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I've put a lot of emphasis on being genuinely oneself in the last few years. It's an idea that speaks strongly to me, as I've reduced my compliance with expectations that society has about my relationships, my gender presentation, even my haircut and personal appearance.

And I've tried to encourage others to do the same. Die your hair, tell people your pronouns, do something 'childish' because it makes you happy, buy the things that you enjoy having around you. Be genuinely you, and enjoy yourself.

So yeah, that applies to the working world, too. We're told to always be angling for that promotion or step-up in the workplace. But why? What if I like where I'm at? Why do I have to reach some new goal before I can enjoy my job? I'm just going to enjoy what I have now.