The corporate flywheel keeps you climbing.

When I got my first promotion, it felt like a huge reward. More money, a nicer title, bigger responsibilities. It was recognition for my hard work. I was so excited, I told the good news to all my family and friends.

I started to climb the corporate ladder, chasing the carrots dangled in front of me. I eventually was leading design orgs.

And over time, I realized each rung on the ladder wasn't a free reward. It was a new deal. A revised agreement. Companies gave me more money, but in exchange, they wanted more of my time.

And that's the corporate flywheel.
Do good work → get more money and responsibility → trade even more of your time.
And then you spin the flywheel again.

After awhile, I grew unsatisfied with this trajectory.
“Is this it? Am I just going to keep getting more money, new titles, and less of my time?”

Raises and promotions used to motivate me. I'll admit, it was mostly because of the money. I wanted more of it — to pay my student loans, rent, vacations, nice dinners. But I realized strong performance wasn’t freeing me—it was locking me deeper into the corporate system. I felt trapped with little to look forward to.

What if the reward for strong performance wasn’t more work? What if it was more time?

Imagine your company saying:
“You crushed it this year. Keep the same salary, vacation time, and benefits, but only check-in to work 24 hours a week.”

I’d use that extra time to be with family and friends, maybe meet up for lunch during the week. I'd travel more and visit friends in other places. I'd exercise and rock climb more regularly. Or I'd finally take that intensive Korean class I’ve been eyeing.

Because at the end of the day, isn’t freedom the real reward we’re all chasing?

If this helped—or if you want someone in your corner—I’d love to chat.
Reach out at chris@thedesign.co for career coaching at The Design Co, or connect with me on LinkedIn.