Life Changing, Precipitous Decisions ?

[Mr Quim]

I'm not happy, or truly satisfied, going to my present Job !

I could just Ride out, the last couple Years, with No real consequences .

But, risking some certainty, seems like an invigorating option at this Stage in my Life ?
And a more exciting way, of finishing off my working Career !

Any other Middle-Agers, have some possible Thoughts ?

Cheers

P.S. Damn Sheryl Crow, is Sexy !

 

[johnsmit]

Really only one
Question .
What do you want out of life?.
To be wealthy?
To be happy?.
To be secure in your old age?.
To enjoy all that life has to give?
I guess there is a lot more then one question . Lol

 

[felixthecat]

There's always a solution from Office Space - stop going to work.

 

[PuntMeister]

A guy I know went to work for 35 yrs at the same place. He had done everything they asked him to do, worked hard, and was now just coasting another year or two into retirement. He wasn’t really happy at work, complaining about this and that annoyance and bitching about those lazy millenials he had to work with. He was unengaged and just putting in his time until he could retire with max pension. He thought about writing an F-Off letter and finishing up early. I asked him what he was really good at. He told me. I asked him if he felt he had anything else to learn in his role, any room for personal growth. He said he didn’t think so, that he had done it all and mastered his job. I took a chance on him and said that he would never truly master anything until he passed all his knowledge and trade secrets on to the next guy. That a master without an apprentice is just a skilled practitioner. I knew he held his “job security” close to his chest and complained about other’s inadequacies. It was time for a little job shift. I got him to train others on how to do some of the more challenging aspects of the job. I got him to mentor a guy with decent attitude but lower skill level. I also helped him solve some problems that had been irritating him for a while. He was resistant at first and pushed back as expected. But we stayed with it. When he finally did pass along what he had learned, he felt much happier. He had found new purpose at work. A year later he came and thanked me for giving him a new opportunity even though he didn’t want it. He said he could now think of his work as a career, and not just a job. He stuck around a while longer. I thanked him—for teaching me that as a manager how important it is to help people find meaning in their work. Sometimes meaning can come from subtle changes, a little bit of courage, or a different outlook of what is important.

Took my own advice and changed roles myself within the same company, and went on a grand adventure seeking out new challenges at other companies as well. Wasn’t always easy, and I got fired, promoted, and everything in between, but boy did I learn a lot and contribute in ways I didn’t know I had in me. As I near retirement myself and look back on the journey, I know for me having the courage to change roles was the right thing to do.

Everyone’s journey is different, and the good news is we all get to write our own story. I hope your next chapter is meaningful for you.

-Punt.

 

[sevenofnine]

I think its all over rated,
I mean im nobody, nobody
worked the same dead end job for forty years, still am

just saw a kid off to the bright lights, this weekend, nothing but big dreams in her future,

I dunno but I think its all wrong, that was mean what fifty years ago, dreams of the future, fixing everything changing the world
then I realized just how fucked up I was, spent the next fifty years just trying to get my head on straight, still
working at it,

I think its the little things,
yeah I have a dead end job, no glamor no nothing,
but I do it well. im one of the best in my company,

people tend to like me
and to be honest I wish they wouldn't
too much to live up too too much responsiliblilty

its funny but I don't think its the big things in life,
its the little things,

its my relationship with people with my dog, the bond I have with people the connections
looking back at my life and being able to say im a good guy,
im good to the people in my life.

 

[FreeG]

A guy I know went to work for 35 yrs at the same place. He had done everything they asked him to do, worked hard, and was now just coasting another year or two into retirement. He wasn’t really happy at work, complaining about this and that annoyance and bitching about those lazy millenials he had to work with. He was unengaged and just putting in his time until he could retire with max pension. He thought about writing an F-Off letter and finishing up early. I asked him what he was really good at. He told me. I asked him if he felt he had anything else to learn in his role, any room for personal growth. He said he didn’t think so, that he had done it all and mastered his job. I took a chance on him and said that he would never truly master anything until he passed all his knowledge and trade secrets on to the next guy. That a master without an apprentice is just a skilled practitioner. I knew he held his “job security” close to his chest and complained about other’s inadequacies. It was time for a little job shift. I got him to train others on how to do some of the more challenging aspects of the job. I got him to mentor a guy with decent attitude but lower skill level. I also helped him solve some problems that had been irritating him for a while. He was resistant at first and pushed back as expected. But we stayed with it. When he finally did pass along what he had learned, he felt much happier. He had found new purpose at work. A year later he came and thanked me for giving him a new opportunity even though he didn’t want it. He said he could now think of his work as a career, and not just a job. He stuck around a while longer. I thanked him—for teaching me that as a manager how important it is to help people find meaning in their work. Sometimes meaning can come from subtle changes, a little bit of courage, or a different outlook of what is important.

Took my own advice and changed roles myself within the same company, and went on a grand adventure seeking out new challenges at other companies as well. Wasn’t always easy, and I got fired, promoted, and everything in between, but boy did I learn a lot and contribute in ways I didn’t know I had in me. As I near retirement myself and look back on the journey, I know for me having the courage to change roles was the right thing to do.

Everyone’s journey is different, and the good news is we all get to write our own story. I hope your next chapter is meaningful for you.

-Punt.

Great story! More leaders like you are needed throughout industry/govt.

 

[westwoody]

But, risking some certainty, seems like an invigorating option at this Stage in my Life ?

I am way past middle age and experienced the same boredom.
I volunteered helping inner city kids with homework and tutoring.
It was worthwhile and gave me more satisfaction than my real job.
Don't define yourself by your job. There is more to you than that.

 

[sensualsixty]

My favourite quote: "Take a chance while you can, and don't be sorry for a might have been." Seen in the galley of a 29 ft. ferro cement ketch prior to departure for a seven year adventure around the world. The skipper made headlines in three (that was a few years ago) Toronto newspapers when he was pitch poled off the coast of Africa. The fact that all survived was a testament to his construction abilities.

I took my chance over 30 years ago with a divorce and letter of resignation. I shudder every time I think of what my life might have been like compared to the great adventure it has been. Some people thought I was crazy, and others envied my "courage". Maybe I was just lucky, but I am sure glad I took the chance.

sensualsixty (now way past sixty)