login
Unhappy? What to do about it... (Page 2)
-
No new posts
|
 2005-09-09 8:13 PM in reply to: #243496 |
Pro  5153    Helena, MT |  Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it...I dumped my gov't hydrologist job to move to a romantic locale (to me, we all have our idea of romance) to follow the man I love, experience something different and get a more soul-satisfying job. Fast forward a month and a half: I'm slinging coffee and cashiering at an organic market. I get paid sh**. I just worked a ten hour day to make roughly a third of what I made in the gov't in 8 hours. My feet hurt. My back hurts. I have cankles (calf-ankles) from standing all day. I couldn't pay for a race even if I'd had the energy to train in the last month. I have to do it all again tomorrow. And I haven't had a day off in 10 days and am scheduled for the next 7 days straight. It's not all bad, I love it here. I just got married to said man I love. I know the job WILL happen, so that's certainly something. I just want to warn you to wait to make that drastic move until you have the job you want lined up or are ready to go back to school. Because I guarantee that your dull office job (at which you can hang out at BT all day) is better than what I'm doing for a living. Just be prepared is all I'm saying. Or if you ignore that advice be prepared for it to suck for a while. Sorry to be such a whiner wet blanket. |
| 2005-09-09 8:45 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Extreme Veteran 389 Central Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... I'm in somewhat the same situation. I've been in the army now for 10 years. I'm on the promotion list and get pinned very soon. The pro is 400.00 more a month. The con, I have to reenlist for an indeterminable time. After you reup after 10 years, the Army decides when to let you out. Now I can stay in and retire at 20 years and have a small income with full medical and dental coverage. If I stay in for the last 10 years, more then likely I would retire at the top of the enlisted rank structure. I've had the right assignments and done all of the "cool guy" schools and am a decorated veteran. For most its a no brainer, stay in right? Now throw in the fact that I am a single parent. The day I deployed to Iraq my son was born, so I missed the first 12 months of his life. To me being a parent and being there for my son is more important then staying in the army. Luckily I have an assignment now that allows me to be home every night. I even have enough time to fit in 2 a days. Like you though I'm not having fun. The last time I had fun in the army was when I was in Iraq. Now if I get out, I could go work for one of the private security companies that are operating in Iraq and make between 300-400k a year. Nearly 9x what I am making now. Again, I'm not willing to sacrafice the time away from my son. I've 90% made up my mind that I am going to go to school when I get out. Ill move back home to be close to my parents who will watch my son during the day or when I need them to. Only problem is the J-O-B. I have no real trade skills that I can legally employ besides leadership, so I have no idea what I am going to do to support my son, myself and my tri-habit. Ideally I'd like to work for one of those companies that hire you and then pay for your schooling. I want to go into the medical field though, so I dont see that plan working out. I use to think work was the most important thing in my life, I use to think that it defined who I was. I've had a lot of lows in the past 2 years and had to learn a few things the hard way. To be honest I wouldnt change a day of it. Sometimes it just take a lot of unhappiness and frustration to realize what truly is important to us. |
| 2005-09-09 9:20 PM in reply to: #243496 |
Elite Veteran 781 | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... If you have $$$ in the bank and have a solid plan to get from A to Z, go for it. If not, save up before you make the leap. Me? I have lots of time to train now because I spent 20 years in the USAF. Sure, there were many days I wanted to quit but I knew that after 20 years, I'd get a (modest) pension. My job is now to get my daughter to school and my husband off to work. But the point is that we had a plan and followed it. Sometimes that requires sucking it up and sticking with it. I know you all are really young, and it is best to find something to do that doesn't feel like work. My own personal feelings are that becoming a personal trainer or nutritionist will likely leave you too poor to be able to afford tris. I'm sorry this sounds harsh. My parents had this conversation with me when I wanted to major in Dance in college. In the end, they were right. |
| 2005-09-09 9:23 PM in reply to: #243496 |
Pro 4481 Reston | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Two weeks ago I had a chance to sit down with my grandmother, whom I rarely get to see anymore now that I am living in Virginia, and she's in Pennsylvania. After some idle chit chat and a tall glass of water (I told her I needed to stay hydrated, afterall I did have a big race the next day!) she looked me square in the eye and said "So, you're happy, right? As long as you're happy, that's all that matters." This coming from a woman who recently lost her husband of 50+ years to cancer, and is doing her best to make it a day at a time. Quite frankly, she didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know. But for a woman who certainly has plenty to be unhappy about, she has to wake up each day and find something to be happy about. Haley, you need to make sure you can do that too. And if the largest piece of unhappiness in your life is your job, then go ahead and find something else. You won't regret it. If things don't go your way in the beginning, you might look back and wish you hadn't quit, but that's not regret. In the long run, you won't truly regret something that made you unhappy. And eventually you'll find yourself something that puts a smile on your face, and pays you for it. Edited by 3558 2005-09-09 9:25 PM |
| 2005-09-09 9:39 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Extreme Veteran 348 Honolulu, HI | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... All trigirls are highly encouraged to consider Hawaii - amazing sushi, best mai tais on the planet, perfect tri weather 24/7/365, cute male training partner available....  |
 2005-09-09 10:40 PM in reply to: #243521 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2005-09-09 11:08 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Elite Veteran 781 | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... CL, how do your parents feel about your moving back home? I'm not implying anything remotely judgemental, just curious. I have a 16 YO daughter. |
| 2005-09-09 11:47 PM in reply to: #243710 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2005-09-10 1:26 AM in reply to: #243546 |
| Extreme Veteran 584 coastal NC | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... TriComet - 2005-09-09 4:58 PMNo I dont have student loans, but I will when I go back unless I find a decent job and go to school at night. Otherwise, its school full time. Hey Haley, Long one for you. After college I went into the Peace Corps and spent two years in Nepal. I was dirt poor, doing something that mattered, learning about another culture and place and as happy as I've ever been. You'd think that would have taught me something. I got the part where I like living abroad, so my next adventure, after traveling for six months, was to land a job in Indonesia. I morphed that into a serious expat gig setting up part of the training department of one of the then-Big-Six accounting firms--VERY nice salary paid in dollars, house, company car and gym membership all paid by the company. The problem? I wasn't doing anything that mattered to me or 'helped' in any significant way and I was miserable. I'd fully intended to tough it out for five years, because I was saving money hand over fist, but it really wore me down. I found myself spending more and more time doing volunteer work that mattered to make the job bearable. Also spending some serious time in bars, but that's another post, probably  So at the ripe old age of 28 I had a precocious mid-life crisis: quit my job, moved to another island for four months, talked my way into an intern position doing community-based coastal management work at one of my volunteer gigs and started working as a dive guide for extra cash. Once again, no significant money coming in, doing meaningful work, happy as a clam. So I researched a bunch of graduate schools (gotta love the internet!), found a summer program at Duke to make sure I still remembered how to go to school. My volunteer job was actually run by the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center, and they'd been encouraging me to go back to school, to the point where they found a one-year job for me in the US while I was taking the GREs and applying to programs. I went back, worked with some fantastic people who helped me conceptualize what I wanted out of grad school, applied, got in, went, worked my butt off and had a ball (once again poor, but happy--are you sensing a theme here?). Fast forward to now--got the degree, got a job doing work I really enjoy. I make 1/3 of what I did in Indonesia, and the North Carolina state government surely doesn't provide me with a house, car or gym membership, but I've got to say, I'm really glad I did it. The way I'm wired, I need to have a job that I think makes a positive difference in the world, and I'm not willing to sacrifice my quality of life for money. Not that I wouldn't like to make a bunch more, just make it while doing this same type of work. It took me a while to recognize that, but there it is. At your age, with no major commitments, I think figuring out what you really want to do and going for it is a great idea. In addition to (possible) long term happiness, there's the added bonus of getting to see yourself as the swashbuckling hero of your own life story (or soap opera??). That's what I tell myself as I pick up the 500th toy up from the playroom floor. Plan some, go for it, and good luck. And I highly recommend island living if you don't mind dealing with the fishbowl effect. Christine Edited by chriscal 2005-09-10 1:27 AM |
| 2005-09-10 8:19 AM in reply to: #243496 |
| Elite 4344 | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Lots of noble aspirations here. Lets lower the bar. I say marry a rich DOM. Get him into marathons and tri's. When he dies of a heart attack on Grandfather Mountain, the Comet heads into a higher orbit. Just joking. I say follow your heart, but don't forget Georgia Tech is right there in town. You can take some distance learning classes first while working. Then hit a semester or two full time. Bingo. New career with no student loans. (Need I point out that the male-female ratio at Tech is about 2-1). Or. Don't forget to just start the new job search all over. Daughter in MBA school is having people call her with job offers this year. She didn't even apply. It looks like this is going to be a great year to be looking for a job. TW |
| 2005-09-10 9:05 AM in reply to: #243496 |
Master 1249 Lexington, Kentucky | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... If you're unhappy with your job, don't wait around for it to get better. Every major career advancement I have had came from me either changing jobs, or telling my boss I was considering a job offer. Go for it. |
| 2005-09-10 2:10 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Expert 1279 Northern VA | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Ever hear "The grass is always greener on the other side"? Chances are the "dream" job won't be such a dream when you're in it. I would venture to say that the majority of people working don't enjoy their job, let alone love it. They do it for the money and the things it allows them to do. Number 1 being to fulfill their responsibilities. MOST (not all) people have responsibilities that don't allow them to chase a pipe-dream. I'm thinking about quitting everything to become a PGA touring pro, NFL quarterback, professional triathlete or personal trainer for celebrities in Hollywood. Just can't decide which would bring me the most happiness. OH CRAP!!! I forgot my kids need to eat. Luckily, there are other things in life that bring people happiness besides a job. |
| 2005-09-10 10:49 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Haley, I currently do not enjoy my work either, so I feel your pain. And as far as Austin is concerned, I say go for it...believe it or not, even as an Aggie, Austin is number one on my list of places I would want to live if I ever get out of the bad place. |
| 2005-09-10 11:34 PM in reply to: #243540 |
| Master 2278 State of Confusion | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... CVSURF - 2005-09-09 3:53 PM I think I read that your 23-24? No kids? No marriage? Well, I vote you go find something you enjoy. Life is too short to do things that your not happy about. If your not happy about your job, change it. If you don't like where you live. Move! If you want to bum around Kona. Do it! Your only without major responsibilties for a short time. Enjoy that time. That is, of course, assuming you don't have student loans. If so, ignore everything I said and go pay them off. J/K Enjoy yourself. Listen to what the man is saying girl! Young and unattached...you can do anything anywhere. TRUST ME...go for it! Do what makes you happy while you can. |
| 2005-09-11 10:42 AM in reply to: #243746 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... tech_geezer - 2005-09-10 9:19 AM Lots of noble aspirations here. Lets lower the bar. I say marry a rich DOM. Get him into marathons and tri's. When he dies of a heart attack on Grandfather Mountain, the Comet heads into a higher orbit. Just joking. I say follow your heart, but don't forget Georgia Tech is right there in town. You can take some distance learning classes first while working. Then hit a semester or two full time. Bingo. New career with no student loans. (Need I point out that the male-female ratio at Tech is about 2-1). Or. Don't forget to just start the new job search all over. Daughter in MBA school is having people call her with job offers this year. She didn't even apply. It looks like this is going to be a great year to be looking for a job. TW Well, first off, I think any girl would be happy to marry someone wealthy! Funny joke, I get what you're saying, but I was married right out of school to a guy that made great money, we were DINKS and I got to start marathoning and got into tris. However, he didnt go for the idea of getting involved in my activities and that situation worked itself out rather quickly. No regrets, I've learned I can make myself happy and I'm going to be damn picky about a SO. Ok, back to the school and work situation. A big part of my dilema for the past year is Tech vs. State. They are just not rounded enough for me. What if I want to change programs? At Tech, there's not much to choose from and they don't really have something that really strikes me. A big part of my wanting to move is to get closer to my family and friends. I don't feel like I know my brother anymore, hardly see my parents much less my extended family. I know all it takes is getting on a plane for the weekend, but that interferes with tri training (I'm totally serious). Anyway....thanks for all the support and suggestions. Right now, I am going to focus on using my old friends and family to find me a new job, preferably Austin, then go back to school in Jan. or Sept. of 2007. If I find a job that is great, then I'll go to school part time. If its just ok, then I'll work for a year or so then go back full time. I hope I can tolerate being here until I find a new job, it will be a bit rash to just quit and move without something lined up. Let the hunt begin! |
| 2005-09-11 5:37 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Expert 713 WV | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... DO NOT lower your standards by any means! As far as school, make sure what your are getting into you love and have a passion for. I selected something my parents pressured me to do the first time in school. I hated it. I started back to school part-time open major and explored my options after a few years of suffering. I found sports medicine and biomechanics and went full-time after that. I worked part time as well...three jobs. I ended up with a small student loan too. But. I got my degree and started to work sooner. I have some friends who are going to school part-time and have stopped even though they are so close to being done. I doubt they will finish because life has a tendency to get in the way. Anyway, I have fun every day and love what I do...even though the hours do stink and eating is not always a priority when I work outside the classroom. Good Luck. |
| 2005-09-12 10:01 AM in reply to: #244063 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. Edited by JeepFleeb 2005-09-12 10:15 AM (burrito.JPG) Attachments ---------------- burrito.JPG (47KB - 6 downloads) |
| 2005-09-12 10:03 AM in reply to: #243496 |
| Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Aaron wins post of the day! Hilarious! |
| 2005-09-12 10:10 AM in reply to: #243496 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... OMG!!!! I think that seals the deal! LMAO!! I LOVE that song! They even talk about Blue Bell...LMAO...cannot stop laughing. That made my BT day! |
| 2005-09-12 10:33 AM in reply to: #243758 |
| Regular 178 Mound, MN | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... As an executive recruiter I see this every day. The ones that really surprise me are the people that know their company is moving, having financial trouble, etc. but stay around for the last day, then start looking! I don't care how nice the retention bonus is, you can bet it will be gone before you get a new position. Good Luck, Jay |
| 2005-09-12 10:44 AM in reply to: #244754 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... mnflyfish - 2005-09-12 11:33 AM As an executive recruiter I see this every day. The ones that really surprise me are the people that know their company is moving, having financial trouble, etc. but stay around for the last day, then start looking! I don't care how nice the retention bonus is, you can bet it will be gone before you get a new position. Good Luck, Jay Wow you're right...my company is in transition right now too. Switching hands. EEEkkk...maybe its part of my gut feeling saying I need to leave within a year. |
| 2005-09-12 11:28 AM in reply to: #243496 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Still laughing about that picture....!!!! |
| 2005-09-12 11:28 AM in reply to: #243496 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... Still laughing about that picture....!!!! |
| 2005-09-12 1:02 PM in reply to: #244836 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2005-09-12 1:28 PM in reply to: #243496 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Unhappy? What to do about it... That is SO sweet!!! I narrowed my options a couple weeks ago to TX or LA. Even if I went to LA, its still so much closer to Freebirds than Atlanta. However, LSU is overcrowded and will be for the next couple years and they didn't have one of the majors I was considering so by process of elimination (bowling for soup playing on my computer right now....) I'm probably coming back to TX.... |
|
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK