Complacency.The.Silent.Killer

Complacency - a word usually used to describe folks who take it too easy at work and to some extent, not motivated to do better beyond 'good-enough'. Merriam-Webster calls it:

"self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies"

Recently, I observed my surrounding and I found that most of my colleagues are somewhat taking it easy with their work and lives. Those who were having the passion to grow and work hard have been reduced to ordinary workers. When the day starts, everyone look forwards to lunch and during lunch everyone looks forward to go home (or plan for activities after work).

I have colleagues bringing their hobbies to work. Quite fun actually but it can get distracting when they spend hours talking about it. Sometimes, there can be long discussions about their personal lives during office hours that take up the whole afternoon.

There isn't any interest on what's new and cool in the IT industry anymore. People give more interest to gym and sport more than beta software. And when it comes to certifications, there isn't seem to be a need. Everyone is just doing 'good enough' and no longer the best.

There is no doubt that I'm working among complacencees. But after 14 months, I'm not sure if I'm affected. I have some questions which I find it hard for myself to answer.

1. Is work supposed to be hectic all the time and we must work late everyday in order to be classified as 'non-complacent'? I have known a friend who works 36 hours non-stop and that just freaks me out.

2. Can someone work in a less stressful environment, not have ambitious dreams (such as wanting a bigger pay cheque or going higher in the corporate ladder) but be considered as not-complacent?

3. Are we born to work? What about spending time with our families?

After going through company bankruptcies, unpaid salaries, department closures and all that employment blues, my perspective has changed. And after going through the scare-of-my-life for having a breast lump a few months ago, it altered my perspective even more.

So, have I been bitten by the lazy bug?

I try to do my best at work most of the time. My phrase to my superior for new challenges is "It is beyond my skills but I will do it if you want me to". Most of the time, my response would be "It is difficult, but it can be done" rather than "It can be done, but it is difficult".

I usually leave for home on time (or an hour later) to start working on Paladin in the night. On my free-time, I serve the community in MIND and SgDotNet. I'm also doing a part-time degree and have enrolled in courses offered by the MVP academy. I make sure I read up technical materials every weekends to keep abreast of what is new and cool.

Lately, there were comments from my colleagues. "It is a waste for you to be here" and "I don't understand why with all that certifications and skills, you are still here". But I just don't feel like moving.

So, am I being complacent?