The Smart Way to Coast at Work
如何明智地在工作中“划水”
By Rachel Feintzeig
Everyone needs a breather.
每个人都需要喘口气。
We like to picture our careers as straight， steady lines to the top， each year bringing the satisfied glow from a higher salary， sharper skills， a bigger title.
我们喜欢把自己的职业生涯描绘成一条通往顶峰的稳定直线，以便每年都能从更高的薪水、更精湛的技能和更高的头衔中获得满足感。
Then actual life hits. We have babies， or sick parents. We get tired. Companies change， too， freezing head count or cutting back on promotions. Sometimes， the only thing to do is to tread water.
然后，现实生活的打击就来了。我们有孩子了，或者父母生病了。我们逐渐变得疲惫。同样地，公司也会发生变化，比如暂停招聘新人，或者晋升机会减少。所以有时候，我们唯一能做的就是划划水，徘徊观望。
“It doesn't need to be this continuous upward trajectory，“ says Becca Carnahan， a Massachusetts-based coach who counsels midcareer parents. There's a smart way to be on hold， she says， so that you can ramp up again when the moment is right—if you want to.
“职业生涯并不一定要是一个持续上升的轨迹。”马萨诸塞州一名职业咨询师贝卡·卡纳汉（Becca Carnahan）说。她为处于职业生涯中期、已经为人父母的人士提供咨询。她补充说道，有一个聪明的方法可以让你处于暂时不动的状态，这样你就可以在时机成熟时再次加速前进——如果那时你愿意的话。
Start by reminding yourself what you're prioritizing instead of climbing the ladder. Maybe you're choosing stability or your family or health. Focus on what you're adding， not giving up. This can help alleviate the guilt and insecurity.
首先，提醒自己什么才是你当下的优先事项，而不是一直去攀登高峰。也许你当下的优先级是稳定、家庭或者健康。因此，专注于你正在获得什么，而不是放弃了什么。这有助于减轻你的负罪感和不安全感。
So much of our success at work is about how we present ourselves—how we sell our ideas， how we support our colleagues， how we raise issues to our bosses. Sharing what you're going through can lead people to see you as likable， as long as you do it the right way. Flick at your struggles as part of a broader， positive story about your learning and growth.
如今，我们在工作中的成功很大程度上取决于我们如何展现自己：如何推销自己的想法，如何支持我们的同事，如何向老板们提出问题。只要方式得当，分享自己的经历会让别人觉得你很讨人喜欢。比如将你的挣扎放进一个更宏观、更积极的故事里，云淡风轻地提起，讲一讲你从中得到的经验和成长。
So many of us believe job opportunities are black or white—you either jump at an opening when it comes or never get the chance again. There's an in-between.
我们中的很多人都认为工作机会是非黑即白的。当机会来临时，你要么马上抓住，要么永远错失。但这两者之间，其实有个中间地带。