A lifestyle without the need for achievement.

In the US , Kevin Dahlstrom gave up a seven-figure annual income to take a lower-paying job that gave him time to pursue his passion for mountain climbing.

"I estimate I've missed out on over $10 million in future income, but if I have to work the same way, I feel there's no need to earn another penny," said Kevin, 53.

The turning point that led Kevin to make this decision was when, while leading a meeting, he looked around the room and saw colleagues with high positions and good benefits, but none of them seemed happy. "At that moment, I thought, what's the point of trying if the job doesn't bring joy?" he said.

Kevin decided to quit his job and move to Boulder, Colorado to pursue mountain climbing in 2018. His decision shocked those in the industry, and many viewed him as a hero for daring to give up his career.

Kevin Dahlstrom gave up his seven-figure-a-year marketing director position to become a mountain climber. Photo: Jeff Jones

Kevin said he still has ambitions, so he recently took a marketing executive position at a smaller company, a flexible job that allows him to work when needed and go to the mountains whenever the weather permits.

"For me, this is 'nirvana' because I still want to work," he said. "But I also want it to be just a part of my life, not the biggest part of it anymore."

Some people striving to accumulate wealth and status say they have overcome the relentless hustle and bustle and are pursuing what they call a "post-achievement" lifestyle where family, health, and passions take priority over career achievements.

People who follow a "post-achievement" lifestyle don't necessarily have to retire, even if they have sufficient financial resources. Many have transitioned to jobs with less time and responsibility, freeing up time for activities they find more meaningful, such as meditation or playing the guitar.

Khe Hy, who helped popularize the term "post-achievement" on his website and YouTube channel, says it's hard to leave a good job without regret. He left his job as a hedge fund manager in 2015 and occasionally feels envious of the wealth his former colleagues have amassed.

Hy is now 44 years old and has about $5 million. That's probably enough for a comfortable retirement, but it's difficult to sustain a family life in the expensive coastal city of California. Sometimes he wishes he had stayed on Wall Street a few more years; maybe then he would never have to work again.

Former hedge fund manager Khe Hy. Photo: Henry Thong

However, he overcame those feelings by recalling how his work had numbed him. "The crucial moment is when you realize that no further achievement can significantly change your level of happiness. I consider myself accomplished because I'm no longer really striving for anything," Hy said.

Rachel Barek, 44, says she's not ready to step down as CEO of the marketing company she founded, even after selling her shares. "It's easy for me to fall back into the trap of becoming an entrepreneur again even after leaving my company. I was born that way," she shared.

In the upcoming "post-achievement" phase, Barek plans to do something completely different, like a "beauty school." She became interested in cutting her son's hair during the pandemic and wants to offer professional haircutting services for children.

Kristopher Abdelmessih, 45, also left the labor market after receiving approximately one million USD in 2021.

Kristopher Abdelmessih is on vacation with his mother in Vietnam. Photo: Kristopher Abdelmessih

He said his motivation for success stemmed from being raised humbly in an immigrant family. Without the opportunity for higher education like many others, he chose a high-paying field and leveraged his strengths.

"I quit my job not because I lost ambition, but because I wanted to pursue my own interests," he said. These include teaching underprivileged children, teaching himself to confidently perform guitar on stage, and taking 6-8 weeks of vacation with his family each year.

He and a partner are currently in the early stages of developing a trading software tool. Abdelmessih hopes it will be profitable. If it ever succeeds and requires more time, he is willing to commit to it because it is a passion project.

Bao Nhien (According to WSJ )

Source: https://vnexpress.net/loi-song-khong-can-thanh-tuu-4722315.html