Varun Hasija quit his ₹1 crore Bengaluru job for personal fulfillment, highlighting the importance of happiness and impact over salary.
Leave an in-demand ₹1-crore job without another secured job, and most city residents would raise several eyebrows. Former product manager Varun Hasija is perhaps one of the few doing it lately at Scaler – the ed-tech firm; and he has stoked conversations about work-life balance in high-paying jobs as well as the plight to steer clear of the Bengaluru corporate lifestyle. His account found wide resonance, exploring and elaborating on why some find it difficult to advance in their careers despite seeking fulfillment and monetary paybacks.
The High-Stakes Challenges of High-Paying Jobs
Hasija’s choice brings to the forefront the pressures tied to high-paying roles. While lucrative salaries offer financial security, they often come with immense stress, demanding schedules, and a loss of joy at work. Hasija candidly shared that his role failed to deliver two essential priorities: happiness and impact.
“Happiness is non-negotiable,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of joy in the workplace. Similarly, his passion for creating tangible value through impactful work remained unmet. Instead, he described a shift in focus within the company—from meaningful contributions to managing appearances, which ultimately led to his dissatisfaction.
Personal Growth vs High Salary: A Tough Choice
It is not easy, especially in a hub like Bengaluru, where the choice for personal growth over handsome pay cheques and high salary needs to be done. For many, a good fat cheque equated to success, says Hasija, adding that wealth creation too is important but shouldn’t be at personal expense.
His decision to abandon financial security to introspect drives home the key lesson that personal development at times calls for painful and seemingly paradoxical choices.
Work-Life Balance in High-Paying Jobs
Work-life balance is an ongoing problem in Bengaluru corporate lifestyles, especially for those who engage in high-pressure work settings. The frenzied work culture in the city tends to make professional and personal boundaries quite ambiguous. Hasija’s case illustrates how professional excellence eclipses personal priorities.
The absence of happiness and meaningful impact in his work signaled a misalignment of values. For Hasija, it became clear that no salary could justify the compromise of core personal principles.
Career Decisions Without Backup Plans
Taking a career pause with no safety net is not only an intimidating move but, in Hasija’s case, his calculated approach inspires. Not making an impulsive decision, but rather through a structured framework, he evaluated his priorities: happiness, impact, and fair financial rewards.
“At times, one needs to move on,” Hasija summed up, urging others to introspect and reflect on their career paths critically. His emphasis on introspection and strategic decision-making highlights that the choice of career must align with long-term goals and values.
Social Media Reactions to Job Quits
But the story of Hasija sparked waves of reaction on social media as numerous people praised his courage in choosing personal satisfaction over financial security. Others are questioning the feasibility of such decisions, especially those who do not have large savings or other sources of income.
Mixed responses reveal the polarizing nature of such career choices. For some, Hasija’s decision was empowering; for others, it was unrealistic in a society where the ability to be financially stable comes first.
Redefined Success in Bengaluru’s Corporate World
Hasija’s story challenges a more profound conversation-the definition of success. Is the number in your paycheck? Or is it the fulfillment and satisfaction you get out of the work? For most corporate people in Bengaluru, stories like Hasija’s do not fit in with their understanding of money and success.
As professionals navigate the challenges of high-paying jobs, Hasija’s experience becomes a blueprint for balancing financial aspirations with personal fulfillment. His message is clear: prioritize what matters most and take pride in making choices that align with your values, even if they seem unconventional.
The story of Hasija, who quit a job paying ₹1 crore and proved it was possible, reminds everyone to look beyond what truly matters in their careers. Money is not the most important thing in one’s life, but instead finding satisfaction in one’s job for a long-lasting period and happy life.
