Career / Life Advise Tread

There's been a lot of good advise. Personally, I moved from the flattest part of Fl to the 3rd flattest part of the state. I didn't even have a job lined up, but we had sold our old house and had already bought the one here. As a chef, similar I believe to sales, can find work just about anywhere, especially if you have a resume that shows longevity.
We moved here because my wife is from here, her whole family is in the area, and she quit her career when we had kids and followed me everywhere during the crucial time of growth in my career, so she wanted our next move to be close to family. I lucked out and landed a sweet job knowing there was planned growth for me. Now I get paid a hefty salary to do what I enjoy, cooking. Well, now I don't cook as much because I run a large operation with many employees. There's immense pressure for financial and quality performance that hinges on line level staff and their attitudes and moods for the day. If fuggin blows sometimes and can be stressful to the point of hating it. But its also a ton of fun at the same time to orchestrate all of the moving pieces.
I often have similar thoughts about changing/doing my own thing, especially when I take trips to the EC to surf and I think about how green the grass is surf wise. But now my wife is much happier, I have a job that I for the most part really enjoy. I get to take off whenever swell does come this way and my boss actually supports it and tells me to leave. I can afford to take time off for trips and as the boys get older, and hopefully keep getting more into surfing, I will be able to take trips with them and not scrape by. Its this balance that makes all the BS with it.
Not sure if this helps, and like others have said, really weight the balance that creates your happiness, not just work/life balance.
As far as your douche canoe boss goes, I've always applied this rule of thumb. If you need them more then they need you, you have no power to negotiate/retain your job. Double down and prove your value with your work, you'll likely outlast him anyway. Sorry for the dissertation, Good luck man

 

Wrong person to ask, I'm not Muslim. My dogs don't like them and love bacon treats.

 

I just asked because Father Stone suggested kissing asses like they were covered in said chewy salty treats and you demurrred for Our Pal DP...
Anything tastes better wrapped in bacon hahahahaha
And I enjoy telling my peaceful, tolerant Muslim friends that all the time...

 

Family, i.e., supporting your family, comes first.

I never developed a passion for my job nor was particularly "career" oriented, but it provided me a lifestyle and the flexibility to do the relatively simple things I wanted to do and accomplish. It also allowed me time off to assist in the care for our special needs daughter, all her surgeries over the years, and later to care for my aging parents. Because of our daughter's needs, my wife did not return to work. Altogether, we had four children.

At times, I was very fed up and even disgusted with my job, bureaucratic policies, and management in general, but I hung in there over the years and was able to laterally change to other jobs several times within the organization. Work even paid to move my family and me from Ventura, CA to VA Beach in 1997 for a new position. I also took advantage of the opportunity work provided to completely pay for my MBA degree.

I would first look within your organization/company for other options or opportunities before leaving it altogether.

But after 4 years Navy active duty plus over 34 years civil service working for the Navy, I will be retiring at the end of this year. Enough is enough.

 

Telling a man he needs to "kiss asses" is not always motivational in these circumstances. Again, proper communication is key.

 

I didn't read through everything here, but you mentioned you are in inside sales - how about finding a gig in field/outside sales? Any technical expertise?
I've been in the field for 8 years now - 7 were MidAtlantic Region, this past has been national.
I'm sure there are better things out there, but for me, this is a perfect fit. I make my schedule, I see places I've never been, and I get to surf/mtn bike/explore a ton of different spots that would've required a vacation from a typical office job. Don't get me wrong, Detriot in March (well anytime) isn't my favorite trip to make, but heading to socal every quarter is worth it.
If you have knowledge in your current industry, it shouldn't be to difficult to find something in the field if the job exists within your particular business (most do without people realizing it). And with the amount you post on here, it seems like you have the personality to cold call, knock some doors down, etc. Because of the independence, It does require some discipline

What industry are you in?

 

You do have a sweet gig that a lot of people would kill for and surfing does make us happy, but at the same time, you need life balance. As happy as one thing makes us, other things can bring ya down and be heavier. One thing to remember, the waves will always be there and if not, the Kelly Slater wave pool will be! HA HA HA Get with the wifey and lay your options out on the table. IF you have to give up your morning and evening sesh almost everyday, then so be it. I am sure you will get it back in the future. either way, good luck brother!

 

Was your wife in sales, as well, or was she employed within another department of the company; if yes to the latter, which one?

 

So then she possesses insight from another aspect of the company, at some point in time, which can be beneficial. Is there something that makes you believe opportunity fails to exist within another department? Possibly your sales background and time with the company could be put to use elsewhere, providing you with a change of pace, which could then alleviate the boredom.

 

There are different types of management styles. Seems like your issue is more with your boss than the company, itself. As for purchase, there is always the option of investors.

 

and those investors are the ones who will probably have more time to surf, not you.