Alright, I am at a point where money doesn’t excite me too much. I earn fairly average (200k TC, 4yoe) with quite relaxed job ie 2-3 days wfh per week. Have to write pretty simple python and java automation code. I hardly have to work for 3-4 hours a day( and that keeps my manager happy). On the other hand, I see my friends at other companies, grinding their a**s 9-7, sometimes even over the weekend, which only helps them earn just 20-30 percent more than me, which they don’t know how/where to spend. Currently I am not following latest technology trends (AI/ML/AR/VR/KA). I may learn one of these in future, based on job trends and or my interest. But currently I am enjoying spending more time with family, playing my favourite sports, traveling, getting in better shape, sleeping 😴 Am I getting too comfortable with my job? Or I just have a good work life balance?
Same here. I am just enjoying my life. Couple times a year I need to focus on my job, and still successful enough to get promoted. However I dont expect this will last longer than five years. Eventually this field will be saturated. Be prepared to withstand coming winter.
Why 5 years specifically? Or is that number more of an estimate, and in your view, is it conservative or are we on the precipice of seismic changes in SWE TC?
Yes you are getting too comfortable and you may regret it in future.
Yes. Your 20s is the time to be busting your ass off, making big bets, kicking ass and taking names. You will never get this time back.
“You will never get this time back therefore spend it lining the pockets of your employer” Enjoy your 20s. Go travel.
Well, definitely learn the trends and stay in the know. Other than that, good job! Enjoy family and relaxing!
You're winning at life imo
For some developers thats a dream, just have fun and enjoy Life is more than just work
No one ever said, I wish I practiced 6 more hours of leets, that one Wednesday, instead of swimming with my kids at the pool—- on their deathbed.
It was kinda poetic
Maximizing career is overrated. What's the meaning of squeezing out more TC. I'll take it if they give it, otherwise don't sweat it. Time to enjoy family, friends, and hobbies bring so much more meaning to life than some more TC for a slightly bigger house (a few extra rooms, bigger yard), nicer car (5 series vs 3 series) slightly nicer clothes (Armani vs JCrew). It's the law of diminishing returns. Your TC is already high enough to enjoy a good life as far as $$ is concerned. Instead of investing more time to bend the needle further in career which translates into only modest net benefit, invest in low hanging fruit in other areas of your life that pay off with much more happiness.
You can always utilize your free time to learn something that excites you, or work on your own idea. May be pick up fun 20%. As long as you don't get stuck intellectually, it is fine to be comfortable.
As long as you have a purpose in life and you’re happy there’s nothing wrong with it. Congrats on working for Google :)
Just because you are busy does not mean you are doing great. Leisure is the most under appreciated thing I feel some of us software engineers can afford. Don't change your job/position out of guilt. I am sure you have hustled enough in your life to reach this stage where you can just relax. Appreciate that and try for some change/more responsibility only if you really want so.
Lets hope that you don’t regret in the future
Not sure why would he regret....as long as the path is chosen
He could get laid off or fired and have no marketable skills. Otherwise, if this is stable and something he can do decades, then yeah, enjoy.