Thanks Krishna, last time I had asked a question related to work and your answer helped me. However, I would like to get one more suggestion about my career. I am in a high paying job close to 50lac+ per annum and I am very unhappy, it requires excess learning, pressure, politics to be dealt with & many other challenges. I have 20+ yrs of experience. I would like to pursue remote jobs and probably settle for 50% less or even more lesser salary and pursue mid-career jobs that is not so stressful and allows me to live peacefully to an extent. I am tired of keeping up these high profile jobs due to personal reasons such as health, family and many such issues. What would you suggest ?

Ans: Hi Trilok! Your current CTC per month is not matching your work experience. To evaluate whether you are being paid fairly, I use a formula of the years of work experience with a 1.5-2x multiplier - so you should be at 30-40L. The sector that you are working in is experiencing ups and downs thus you should focus on how you can contribute by looking at up-skilling yourself. Sales, Marketing & Operations are integral functions for each and every sector & there is scope for a lot. These are a few steps I will recommend:

- Work on specific projects within your organisation in the domain where you want to build expertise in
- Utilise your time to pursue an online executive/ general management program (more focused on training than theories) to acquire leadership and managerial skills. It will strengthen your business acumen and shall boost your skill proficiencies for taking up added responsibilities within your organisation
- Use metrics to define your efforts within your org so that also allow them to compensate you fairly. Also with the right upskilling you should aim to get the right increment for yourself.

Ans: Which sector is your current job in--Engineering Education or Retail? What are your strengths that you can use to advantage. And why would you like to do ME/MTech and in which Discipline?

Ans: Dear

At the outset let me express my gratitude to you for putting up your question. It's indeed very profound.

First and foremost, your personal health is of foremost importance. Nothing should come in between that.

Secondly, money is essential but it's like the fuel not the engine.

Thirdly, work we must because it makes us fulfilled but we should not let work define our identity.

Fourthly, family commitment is our responsibility never run away from that.

Finally, spiritual journey or pursuing hobbies should not be taken up because we feel frustrated with some other things in life. They should be an end in itself.

I can feel what you are going through because many are in a similar situation like you but they don't have clarity or courage to accept that. So cheers to you for being aware of your situation and accepting it.

Here are few thoughts that I would share, however please take them as pointers and not as an advise, because we all have our own emotional disposition. That's why I believe an advise that may work for one person will not work for another because we all have our own emotional state and that defines the way we feel after taking certain decisions.

1. Slow down...you may want to ask your company to make you contractual with reduced responsibility and pay or you can take up contractual assignment with some other companies. In today's cost cutting environment companies would prefer that.

2. Talk to your spouse about your current state, let me tell you our spouse has a better feel of what we should and should not do. Moment you talk to your better half world of options will open. But more than that you will realise that you have someone in life who cares for your well being...that feeling is what we all need...someone caring for us.

3. Give up the notion of self identification through work. After salary that's the biggest drug that keeps us going in a job. We can't see ourselves outside of work as if we are born to work.

Lastly pray to God seeking guidance and clarity, trust me prayer is very powerful because it makes us calm and it's the calm mind that gives clarity.

Wishing you the very best. Trust me you will be alright soon.

With Love
Krishna

Ans: Your career path will depend on the kind of job you get. Look out for job. Wherever you get a good job which is to your liking you can make a career in that. While searching for a job keep your options open for good opportunities.