Employees today are stressed, angry and sad, and they’re experiencing these emotions more than even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gallup. A big reason for stress is a sense of job insecurity, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
With everything feeling so stressful and uncertain, chances are you’re prioritizing stability in your career. And while we value learning, ambition, and going places, it’s also wise to find the balance that allows you to dig in and establish a solid sense of security amid all the turmoil.
Plenty of people are putting security and stability first. A survey by MyPerfectResume found that 53% of people across generations said they define success as reliable work and 24% said their success is based on stability and reliability. For Gen Z and millennials, stability is more important than career progression, according to a survey of more than 22,500 people in 44 countries conducted by Deloitte. In fact, 44% of Gen Z and 46% of millennials say they prefer to seek steady progress. Only 25% of Gen Z and 21% of millennials say they prefer fast-paced growth.
These concerns for stability may be based on perceptions about the job market, with 40% of people who reported to Monster saying they expect the market to worsen and 52% expecting layoffs.
Seeking stability and prioritizing job security are wise strategies for several reasons.
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
One reason is mental health. If we’re worried about the job market or feeling job insecurity, a sense of stability or greater certainty with our career can bring peace of mind.
And while we’re wired to appreciate learning, challenge, and new opportunities, if we’re always in a state of wanting, needing, or striving, it can take a toll on happiness.
In fact, too much focus on ambition and financial or status-based trappings of success can reduce our energy and get in the way of reaching our full potential, according to research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. And if we focus too narrowly on wealth or financial success, our well-being suffers, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Appreciating what we have can be better for us than always striving for the next thing or feeling like we never have enough.
YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Putting aside so much striving can be especially good for your sense of connection and community, and for relationships. We are facing high levels of loneliness and isolation today. But if you build community as well as work on self-acceptance, you’re likely to have greater well-being and less stress, according to the previously cited study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
On the other side of the coin, focusing too much on ambition tends to get in the way of strong relationships, according to research published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. When people are perceived as overly ambitious, others see them as less likely to be warm or a good fit for a positive relationship. In addition, they are seen as more focused on their own goals and less likely to support others in reaching their goals.
Interestingly, the study also showed that moderate ambition didn’t have the same negative effects. You can do your best and lean into great performance, but emphasizing stability along with relationships, community, and supporting others will contribute to fulfillment through connection.
YOUR PERSONAL LIFE
Another good reason to focus on stability in your job is so you can put the necessary energy into other parts of your life.
When you’re early in your career, you may want to go full steam ahead in building social capital and expanding your job responsibilities. On the other hand, when you’re starting a family, caring for elders, or even going through a move, you may want the continuity or comfort of a job that isn’t changing too much.
Avoid thinking of your priorities as fixed. Optimize your work-life experience by being intentional about how your preferences and focus ebb and flow as your work and life evolve.
YOUR FUTURE
Another great reason to emphasize career stability is to develop your skills. If you’re always seeking the next thing, you may miss the opportunity to deepen capabilities in your present role. Figure out how you can learn as much as possible today and find ways to expand your knowledge about the responsibilities you currently face.
The median tenure in jobs was 3.9 years in 2024, the lowest since 2002, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We’re doing a lot more job-hopping to find the next great role. With so much churn in the job market, employers value those who stay in a role and learn all that it has to offer, demonstrating commitment to the job and the company.
A Goldilocks balance
Bottom line: A focus on stability can help you learn more deeply and develop your skills, while at the same time you set yourself apart in the eyes of employers when you’re ready to move to the next role.
The emphasis on stability and striving is a Goldilocks balance. It’s natural to want to improve and move forward. But it’s also a good idea to balance these with a belief that you have enough for now, and that you can remain where you are, revel in what’s working, and appreciate the period you’re in.