in my humble opinion, i think we should always strive to be more like Christ, but i don't think there's a generic answer to the question; it depends on the person and God's will for that individual. the Bible instructs us to work out our own salvation:
Philippians 2:12,13 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.