What’s the Problem with Wanting More? Career Advice for Ambitious Engineers | EP 197

What if the guilt you feel about wanting more in your career isn’t a character flaw, it’s actually a sign you’re ready for your next level of growth? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Jake Kennington, a practicing structural engineer and coach, about the struggle ambitious professionals face when they have “everything” but still want more. From working 4 days a week to pursue entrepreneurship to using engineering principles for life design, Jake shares why “constructive discontent” is actually healthy and how to build a strong foundation for both career and personal fulfillment. You’ll discover Jake’s “strong beam, stronger column” philosophy, learn his three essential habits for personal development, and understand why wanting more isn’t selfish, it’s strategic. Whether you’re feeling stuck in a good job or guilty about your ambitions, this episode will help you embrace growth without compromising gratitude. ⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode 00:00 – Constructive Discontent: Jake’s honest struggle with wanting more despite having “so much” 01:45 – From Math to Structures: Jake’s journey through different engineering disciplines 03:25 – Small Firm vs. Large Firm: Why new engineers should start small, then scale up 05:44 – The “More” Dilemma: How to articulate what you really want in your career 09:03 – Going Back: Jake’s strategic return to a smaller firm for work-life design 12:21 – Strong Beam, Stronger Column: Engineering principles applied to life balance 17:22 – Three Life-Changing Habits: Morning routines, reflective writing, and creative projects 20:42 – Role Reversal: Jake interviews James about faith integration and business evolution 👤 Guest Information Jake Kennington – Structural Engineer & Human Engineer Coach Licensed structural engineer with 10+ years experience | Works 4 days/week practicing, 1 day coaching 🌐 humanengineercoach.com | Specializes in one-on-one coaching for engineers and engineering leaders 💡 Key Insights & Takeaways “Constructive discontent” allows you to be grateful while still pursuing growth Career paths don’t have to be linear—you’re allowed to change your mind Personal life is your foundation (“stronger column”) that supports your career (“strong beam”) Small firms offer broad exposure; large firms provide deep, specialized experience Most people are motivated by either gaining something or avoiding pain, know which drives you 🧠 Notable Quotes “There’s this idea of a constructive discontent, you can be grateful for what you have and still want more.” — Jake Kennington “I prefer strong beam, stronger column. Our personal life—who we are and how we spend our time outside of our career—is actually more important than what we do in our careers.” — Jake Kennington 🔧 Jake’s Three Essential Habits Own Your Morning: Read, write, run—focus on mental and physical health before work demands Daily Reflective Writing: Journal to extract wisdom from experiences and decisions Creative Projects: Lead something outside your day job to exercise different muscles 🎙️ About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Connect With Us Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant