O/T Career advice needed!

[LBTC]

MM, I'm with Autumnbreez on this one. I, too, noticed that the tone of each question seemed slanted toward being closer to home. IMHO, Happiness Now is what all of us needs, and if you've got a way to do that that doesn't go against your own set of values, go for it!!

I can't help but wonder: are the 2 jobs you've mentioned actual opportunities that you can say yes to tomorrow and you'll start working? Or are they theoretical?

and, sorry to make it even muddier, have you looked at what other options are out there for you? if you didn't follow your "career" path, does it have to be a little admin job that you take?

I'm an admin myself for a large forestry company that has recently been bought out by an equally larger forestry company so the company is now twice the size. My job hasn't changed a lot, but the morale is about as low as it can go. we've had a small organizational change and are currently waiting for our new building to be finished so we can move in. All of us expects that there will be more "org" changes (read job losses) and we just don't know when. The mood is less than cheerful. When I really look at it - I don't mind my job, I like the wages and benefits and what I get for the fairly low level of stress (the morale issue notwithstanding). I have some hope that the new building will bring some improvements, but that some changes might include reductions in my benefit package. The way I see it, the more they take away, the easier it is for me to take a job with lesser pay and benefits....lower the bar and... so I bide my time and see what happens.

In the meantime my commute to work is 1/2 hour if I walk, 8 minutes if I drive or 6 minutes if I ride (and 12 to get home on the bike). I wouldn't want it any other way!!! Those of you who have seen my pictures, many of those 'nature' shots are taken on the walk to/from work, through an industrial area. Just being able to do that is huge for my optimism and positive energy.

oops, I made this about me, again, didn't I? Sorry!

Good luck with your decision, MM!! I think all the ladies here have said really great things for you to think about!

Namaste,
~T~

[CorsairMac]

MM: it's called a leap of faith, and it's the scariest leap you'll ever make! Keep us posted hun.......keeping you in my thougths!

[MightyMitre]

Aw - thanks guys. You're GREAT!!

Maybe being off work for so long has given me a rose tinted view of my previous job. I've been trying to remember how I felt before I left and remember all the things I was looking for in a new job/ career path.(This is where I wish I kept a diary. )

I guess I'm worried of making a mistake. Like someone else wrote, I've seen my dad work hard all his life too, running his own buisness 6 days a weeks, and he's now only a few years from retirement . Because he spent his whole life working there's so many things he hasn't done and really wishes he had. I don't want to wake up one day and thing ' How did I get here - this wasn't part of the plan'

Aaaaaaggggh mid-life crisis at 30? That can't be right.....

[snowtulip]

MM- good luck to you in your decision. My words of so called wisdom are, live your life now! I have a medical condition that put into perspective how important quality of life is. What good is saving everything for the future if you're gone tomorrow? Don't get me wrong, retirement, savings, etc. are great, but make sure you still get the chance to enjoy life now.

Once I started feeling better, my perspective on work changed (was a slave to work before and wanted to do what was societally expected of me, now I work to ensure I have money to live a simple life that allows me happy opportunities). Also, I thought work defined me...not the case. Also, listen to your gut, I'm a strong believer of the gut feeling, what is it telling you?

Good luck!

[LBTC]

I guess I'm worried of making a mistake.

<big hug> MM, we're all worried about making mistakes. The truth is, though, that there are NO mistakes. Nothing is permanent. If you find you're unhappy with the next job you find....just put your chin up and start looking again. <grin>

scary, exciting.....sounds like something a cyclist would LOVE!

You can do it!! Enjoy life!

Namaste,
~T~

[Justina]

I used to take the bus in and ride 25 miles home in the spring and summer. I quit that job last August ( it was part time anyway ) and went to being self employed full time. Now I ride the bus to work and ride 18 miles home all year except in the very worst weather. I'm Scared and poor but content.

Go with your gut & good luck

[fixedgeargirl]

Until recently I lived in a small resort community with huge seasonal fluctuations of work. In my "youth" (mid-20's) I could ride the tide, work food service jobs during high seasons and afford the twice-yearly 6 week lay-offs. Plenty of time for recreating, I was livin' the high life.

Then I had a baby. I couldn't afford those 6-week lay-offs anymore. In this town of 2000 residents finding a full-time, year-round, inside job is something of a coup. I got one. I started as "Office Assistant" and became "Office Manager". Not something I ever, ever, ever imagined myself doing. Ever. In a million years. And in an industry that I didn't have much respect for. But I wound up respecting, and befriending, my employers (mom & pop biz). She is one of my very closest friends now. The work never really turned me on, but the team we developed kept me coming back. And I found my inspiration and intellectual stimulation in places outside my work. I was content with the whole package, not just looking to my work to fulfill my need for challenges and learning opportunities. The whole town is full of under-employed people who will rate their quality of life HIGH on the scale b/c there is such awesome skiing, mtbing, arts programs, hiking, etc. to fill their off-work hours. Plenty of waitstaff, ski instructors, bus drivers, all with BAs or higher, livin' the dream.

I guess this is just my anecdotal weigh-in on the work/life balance.

On the more practical end, the general unpredictability of life, have you and BF discussed your financial future? Life insurance? Savings? Investments? Disability insurance? Having a plan and a budget for these items may help settle your mind. Knowing there's something there in case tragedy should befall you or him could help you feel less vulnerable (insert grinning smiley here).

[MightyMitre]

It's been fascinating hearing about everyones lives - thanks for sharing.

Time for a quick update...

I was offered the 'career' type job on Tuesday, which comes with a 40 mile train ride each way, and would have been a great job - except for the journey. So after a few days mulling it over I decided to take the plunge ... and turned it down!

This is definetly the right decision - when the agent phoned up and told me they were offering it, right after I put the phone down instead of leaping round the room full of excitement,I just felt down instead. So I decided to go with my gut instinct as I've discovered over time, 9 times out of 10 it's proved to be the right decision. I just need to learn to trust it more.

I can't believe I feel so happy at turning a job down - it means I've finally taken the plunge in following what I want to do instead of what I feel I ought to do, and it feels very liberating.

For the furture - there's a few potential jobs in the pipeline that are in my town, but now I've finally made a decision, instead of going round in circles it feels great. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Watch this space!

[massbikebabe]

MM:

Last year I was commuting for an hour+/day and making a healthy 6 figure income...but I was MISERABLE!! I missed my hubby, my kids, my bike and my dogs all in that order. Now, I am making half the money, have very flexible hours, am self supervised, ride weather permitting, and get home sometimes before the kids and I've never been happier. I always miss the money but make do...(forces me out of the bike shop)...and feel like I have a better QUALITY of life commuting less, and making less...but then again I am
a little older than you, (I'm 42), and maybe at a different stage in life...hope I'm not confusing you. Just my two cents...

karen