Career / Life Advise Tread

DP, to find that perfect line is like buying a new bort; takes time and you have to be ready for a few misses. I’m betting a majority on here can sympathize with the whole job thing: I know I can, but I also can say your in an enviable spot for many, including myself, for having the freedom to do that one thing we all love. So it comes down to making choices and getting the most true happiness you can manage - jobs are very rarely a source of happiness - only levels of UNhappiness most times, so don’t base your quality of life around your work - it should be based around your true passion and happiness. A job is just a means to an end. Your wife loves you happy and as fulfilled as possible too, so remember that. She will support you whatever you do but I’m betting she’d be ok with you selling hotdogs f it made you happy because if your happy, she is too. Your maybe hitting that midlife hump that has you guessing and taking measure of your life so far... dude, you get to SURF whenever you want. I’d give up a lot for just that and to be able to provide a living for my family. A lot. Not being your mom here, just giving you an honest opinion with some genuine sympathy and empathy mixed in.

 

the grass is rarely greener on the other side. Sounds like you have a sweet deal, are you SURE you want to give that up?

 

Gotta climb out on that limb if you want the fruit

 

You sound alot like my wife. She too works from home M-Th 9-5+ and constantly considers doing something else. She hates her new school bosses (metrics oriented) and doesn't "love" what she does. She doesn't hate it either but knows there's something more of interest out there for her. I constantly tell her (and she knows) that she's got it made, and as written above, the grass is rarely greener on the other side. That saying is true unless you get very, very lucky! Unless you're going to quadruple your salary, etc... I wouldn't even consider it. Living at the beach, working from home and being able to surf whenever is much more important to me than having to love my job or money for that matter. I sacrifice quite a bit myself to be in your exact situation and to me it's totally worth it. If you do decide to make a change though I'll be happy to take that weed off your hands.

 

I could put up with an immense amount of bullsh!t with a set up like that.

 

DP, I sorta agree with Meh but with the environment you describe with your company, and your disposition, change may be good.

I would absolutely recommend a bird in the hand before jumping ship. You can work towards a decision without stressing on it. If you feel like your current position is eminently at risk, sooner the better on the search.

The thing about sales is if your good at it, you can migrate to a different industry which can broaden your opportunities. How you prospect and who you are prospecting relative to the product you are selling is critical (i.e. selling life insurance may be tough b/c your not from there so you don't have a natural market whereas, being a Barry, a natural market and people to call on already exist).

Sounds to me like you want the change but may be afraid of it (which is natural). I would prioritize "why" you want change. More money (sales has peaks and valleys so be prepared with a little cushion in the bank)? Tired of working from home (think about the alternative...many sales jobs are going to put you on the road possibly)? Monotony (then change in general is a good thing...spice things up)?

It's tough man...I left Hawaii thinking about career and family. I often think about all the waves I have missed. But, I believe I made a better decision for the long run. So, the long run is the final thought...where do you want to be in 10,15, or 20 years? Does not sound like this current job is going to get you there. I would start looking immediately. If your job was more secure and you were relatively content with it (financially and psychologically), I would stick with Meh's perspective....

 

start looking around. go on some interviews, see what's available and what perks they'll offer. don't quit or you might lose severance. otherwise put your head down and grind, eat the poop and come out the other side and outlast them. Things always change eventually...
P.S. hurricane swell in hawaii today!

 

I think you've gotta lock down what your goals are. Do you want to be influencing decisions in your department? Do you want to be pulling in more dough? Or, do you just want to be doing what you're doing with a little more face-to-face interaction with the rest of the team?

I'm also in a sales role that requires a bunch of phone+email+in-person meeting time, but I can surf whenever I want (beach is one hour away). My goals are to get as much time in the ocean and on the mountains as possible.

 

There's been good advice so far but you may also want to consider another line of thought. You may not need to settle, the grass could be greener in another pasture, why not take the chance and try to have it all - job you love, flexability to surf etc. Sometimes taking a chance can be good. With that being said there are obviously trade offs. I rarely surf on weekdays (family and work) but i love my job and attending sons sports activities so it us worth it for me. I also have come to treasure my surfs. I went from surfing practically daily but i was always a wave snob - not that many sessions were enjoyable. Now, i have a good time surfing even if the waves suck. The question is whats better? More sessions or higher satisfaction percentage? Do i have regrets? All the time but such is life. Your gonna have regrets no matter what you do.