I've often watched birds in flight and wondered what it might be like.
One occasion was when I was in my late twenties and considering some changes in my professional life; I'd taken to the wilderness, a place I find it's easier to consider such weighty matters, and had spent hours hiking/climbing up a fairly serious mountain deep in the Flinders Ranges. I was on a small ledge taking a break for lunch, back against the rockface and legs dangling off the side looking out over a vast plain that stretched out as I could see. A huge eagle came along, drifting on the thermals pushed upwards by the mountain circling looking for prey I suppose, although I'd completely get it if it was flying simply for the pure enjoyment of flight.
Damn, I wish I could fly, I remember thinking.
I sat for an hour or so watching the eagle then headed back down the mountain. Later that night beside the low burning campfire I realised I'd come to my decision - It was one that would change my life forever.
I've been in contemplation mode many times in respect of my professional life and the decisions I've made have been both easy and difficult; common to them all is that I've made decisions around my life, meaning my personal life, rather than around the needs of the organisations I've worked for. My life is far more important than the needs of my employer and sometimes that's meant I've had to fly away.
Not literally; I don't have wings.
I mean I've had to move on in other directions seeking new horizons, opportunities, challenges and whatever else one could call it. I've resigned, and I've always felt good about it...sure, it's been very difficult to move on from some of my roles, life-changing really, but when it's time to act there's no point staying on the ground with the turkeys...one must soar with the eagles!
Right now I'm in contemplation mode. I don't want to go into it much, but I'm thinking about change.
Do I like my current role, organisation, colleagues, remuneration, flexibility, scope of work, amount of travel, perks and other aspects? Yeah I do, so why am I considering leaving? It's a question I have been mulling over without a definitive answer forthcoming; It's a feeling, a sense that the time is right to seek other opportunities. Clearly I have deeper reasons in mind and factors to consider, but I'm reluctant to say too much here, it's the internet after all and privacy is important to me.
I know the right decisions will come forth sooner or later and when I decide, I decide, and act decisively. I also make sure it's my decision even though I may consult a few I trust around me so that if I make a bad one I only have myself to blame, and if it's a good decision I only have myself to blame. It's about ownership.
It'll be a process I suppose, may take some time or happen quickly, but no matter what happens the decision will be based around my life-needs, all of them, and once made...yep, no more languishing around on the ground with the turkeys, I'll leap off the ledge and fly...or drop like a stone. If it's the latter that's ok, many of my great successes have come out of failure.
Have you ever gone through the process of determining the path forward in your professional life? Have you weighed and measured the pros and cons of moving to a new employer? If so, how was the process for you, what were the considerations, how long was the decision process and were you ultimately happy with your final decision? If you want to comment please go ahead.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Image(s) in this post are my own
I am going through the struggle now. On one hand, I like what I do as a librarian, and I like my community. On the other hand, it's not financially tenable for me to earn so little. Wages are not keeping up with cost of living. The stress burden from managerial incompetence and political pressure is sucking the joy out of it.
Yep, one of the most troubling thing here is the way incomes are outstripped by inflation, it's not good and I think will get worse.
Add to that questionable decisions and behaviours by leadership teams and there's no wonder people are demoralised and looking elsewhere. It sucks when a person actually enjoys the work.
I hope it works out for you; thanks for sharing.
A long time ago I had the opportunity to interview for a job in a different state. My wife and I made a list and the ultimate decision was to go for it because if it didn't feel right I could always decline. I think the fear of actually getting the offer was worse than the fear of leaving the old job. It would make the impending decision more real. Ultimately, after a series of mishaps, I was not offered the job even though I feel I interviewed abnormally well.
It can be a little daunting, the process, and the stress of not getting it, or getting it, is definitely a thing that happens.
Interviews can be horrible, but also amazing, and when I'm interviewing people I'm always focused on making it the latter, putting the candidate at ease and getting the best from them - it makes the end decision easier.
I've had great interviews that didn't end up with the job as well...I'm always pragmatic about it though, the thing is we never know who the other candidates are and how suited they may be; there's always something else on the horizon.
I found out late that they ended up hiring someone that was more local. It made sense I guess, but I feel like I interviewed really well which isn't usually the case. I got rear ended on the way to the interview and I had to wait around for the cops to show up, so I ended up being late to the interview. I showed them the police report just in case they thought I was making it up!
Oh no, that's not good! Stressful for sure. I always try to get to wherever the interview is with ample time, the general area I mean, that way I'm only a minute or so away which can help mitigate problems although a vehicle accident can happen anywhere at anytime. That wouldn't have put you in the best of mindsets for the interview.
Yeah, no, I did a lot of research on the establishment ahead of time though, so I felt like that really helped me answer their questions knowing a bit about them. That's probably my best interview advice, similar to investing in crypto, DYOR.
I agree with that, research (and being prepared in full). It brings confidence to table and allows a person to be more natural and believable with their dialogues.
For sure!
Oh wow, I just read Taraz's post, and it is interesting that he is also thinking about changing things up with his job. When I changed companies, the salary and benefits were pretty high up in my considerations. I was a bit fed up with my work then, so I didn't consider a lot of other factors. So for those that are thinking about moving to a new job, or team, I always tell them to ask about the work culture, and how the team is. The one I moved to was worse than where I came from, and there was a lot of backtalk, and unprofessionalism. Because of that I was very unhappy, and ended up regretting it.
I saw that just after I posted mine and commented on his. Coincidence huh?
Going for the money doesn't always work out as you found out, the problem is one never knows until one gets there huh? Hopefully you dealt with that situation and are now happy.
Yeah. It worked out in the end though. But work environment is definitely a big deal to consider. Good luck on your decision.
Ones work environment crosses over to one's personal life so it's best to make sure it's a good environment.
I definitely at some point thought of diving into coding which hasn't been successful but presently i am just thinking of working more on agricultural activities and earn some money for myself from there. I hope you have got great topics for us today cause i cant wait to talk about one of them.
Coding isn't for everyone I guess, but I like your follow up plan. Nice work.
The topics are written, I'll post them in several hours from now.
Parallel universe irony again bro...
Just this morning while awaiting a delivery I went online and explored some other career opportunities (online training for them)
Something I have been thinking about for over a year now. I finally hit the search engine and found the info I was looking for.
Looking doesn't cost anything and sometimes it can help a person confirm for themselves what direction they want to take one way or the other.
What a view!" Yes, life's decisions change you; and it is important to decide well, because you can regret it; you have to give importance to what you consider your needs, and that goes with each person's nature.
For example, I decided to be with my family, now I understand that it could have been very different economically speaking, but I don't regret it.
greetings.
Decisions must be made either way and acted upon, to make no decision is the worst thing.
Well don't for taking a path and for not feeling any regret over it.
Thank you for sharing this blog, @galenkp ! It's such a good help in making me more cautious when it comes to making my decisions.
As of the moment, I'm still determining which path I should pick and, whether should I follow my passion or career. I just hope wherever my decision leads me will give me peace.
I hope you're able to find the right path forward and that you are flexible enough to pivot in the advent of the right path turning out to be the wrong one on the future. Follow your passions.
It’s an interesting coincidence that your brother is also thinking about a new professional activity. My bet is that you both will take up new jobs.
Yeah I didn't know he's considering a change until I'd posted this and saw his post directly below. We live a long long way from each other (opposite sides of the planet) and don't always get to talk from week to week.
You made me remember the day I said to myself: I don't want this anymore, I want a complete change... it was 2016... I prepared myself for two years and it was great. There were many other times of change and it was for the better, designing my own life and learning to live, that's the best thing of all.
I remember all this on a special day for me today.
And when you decide to change... it will be all good! I am sure of it!
Taking control of one's future through a change in one's professional situation can pay huge dividends, or can be a nightmare as things don't always play out as intended. The uncertainty isn't a reason to stay in a bad situation though, life's too short for that.
Standing still is a waste of time and that is valuable!
Love the thoughts shared today, G. I also get my mind flying when I travel and stare out the window or watch the birds from the sky.
It's one of the great things about travel...how it makes you think and feel.
Exactly!!
It's hard to get out of the routine, but once you do, it's so much fun creating a new routine for your life.
I agree.
Let's talk on the weekend
Yep.