What if you’ve looked at what that promotion actually requires and it doesn’t feel like a reward? Everyone always assumes we all want to climb, that the next step is obvious and that a promotion is always the goal. So when you hesitate, people look at you like something’s wrong because who doesn’t want to grow? They try to motivate you, tell you to aim higher, even offer more training if that’s what it will take to “help” you. But what if you’re not lazy or afraid or shortsighted and you are just getting all the fulfillment from exactly where you are right now?

You might be one of those people who love their work, are great at it and you really just don’t want to manage a team, sit in longer meetings, or take on bigger responsibilities that pull you away from the part you enjoy most. If that’s the kind of person you are, then your ambition just happens to look different. Not smaller, just different.

Success is personal. However when everyone around you is measuring it the same way, it can be hard to admit that you want something else. You may start doubting yourself, wondering if you’re selling yourself short, when in fact, unlike everybody else, you might just be clear on what you value most. And that is not something to apologize for.