Decisions, Decisions!

[Sar]

I am rubbish at making decisions, but now I have one to make!!

I went for a job interview, didnt get the job I wanted but they are offering me another one. the way it works in my company is that they only do the payrises once a year (feb) so I wont get one until then. Do I:

- Go for a job which will be a new challenge in a new dept that really seem keen to take me on. the average pay is marginally better and the chances of getting a promotion are better. Learn some new stuff that is still related to what I do and hope my motivation increases so the days go by a bit quicker but have the stress of learning the ropes of a new job.

- Stay in the same dept but move onto a new team where there are no deadlines, I would kind of do as much or as little work as I wanted, though I do find that work really dull and end up clock watching. The boss is very laid back and I know is keen to take me on. If I had the motivation I could make a real success of the job.

I have been in this dept for 6 yrs, im bored, I am knowledgable about stuff so everyone seems to come to me with their issues, whether they know the answer or not - its just to let me know whats going on (aka if its mucks up its my fault cos I knew about it)!

Im starting my degree at the end of sept and I run a youth club so maybe just stay for the easy but boring job? or go for the new job which is a new challenge and may increase my motivation and make me generally happier?

what do you guys think? yes I really am asking your input on this decision, I am really that stuck on what to do!

I have to let him know by 9am tomorrow morning.

(nb - My current boss did allude to extra money to keep me but has not set anything in stone)

I have a coin, tempted to flip it and let it make the decision for me!

[Luke]

Is your degree full time? or are you doing a day release type thing?

now...you've told me your plan and it rocks!...and if you throw yourself full on into your degree, it'll present a wealth of new challenges on it's own. If you can nag your boss about more money for your current job, it might be worth staying there in order to have a little haven of something your familiar with, away from your studies.....maybe haven isn't the right word, but you know what i mean.

keep sight of what you want to do long term.

[Real Pol]

Motivation is the problem I have with jobs. My last job I could do with my eyes closed, but I didn't particularly enjoy it or was keen to move up the ladder in the organisation.

So I got a new one and handed my notice in, then I got the fear big-style! What have I done!?! My last job was easy and there was no real pressure, but I have to start from scratch etc meet new people blah blah.

Anyway my new job (been in it for a while now) is great. I have demands, pressure and am learning stuff every day. I also took a large paycut.

Basically I'm a lazy bugger and need motivation.

So...........quit and take the new job. It keeps life interesting.

[Milo]

Sounds to me that you need to clear out the old and make way for the new life, new job, new boss, degree on the way. Go for it Sar

[long_man]

DO IT, DEFINITELY DO IT

always remember - Variety is the spice of life

[Sar]

Is your degree full time? or are you doing a day release type thing?

Im doing it through the OU so it's all home study/online and will have a tutor I can talk to but I know it will be difficult. My mum did her psych. degree through them so I am familiar with the deal. I have checked and it will make me fully qualified for what I want - it has been designed with the employers etc.

The long term plan is always in my mind which makes me think I should take the move to the new/easier team so I can focus on my studies and youth work. Then I sit there at my desk thinking 'snoring hell!! I really need a change here!'
(I cant get away with perusing the internet or doing youth club paperwork at my desk, well not as much as I would like anyway ).

meh, Ive got a whole sleepless night to think about it yet

[northswell]

Sar know all about the OU, a knew challenge may make the studies harder.
You could allways suggest what new company is offering and see if where you are at present match it!

Not sure what your planning but point out that you were doing the degree to help progress in the company and that you really thought tbhat you had a future there and if they can't match your ambitions you may have to leave. BE BALLSEY.



I did it once. 20%pay rise.

[temptations_wings]

Sounds like you're worried about having to make a decision so suddenly.
If you are truly worried about the level of stress that comes with learning the ropes of a new job, adequately completing your studies, and handling the youth thing, try to get the raise that was hinted at and stick with your current job.

From the sound of it, your current job isn’t your cup of tea, so why not go for something new? Theres always going to be that transition period where you have to adjust to a new way of doing things, but that’s short term. Oh yeah.... you said that you find yourself watching the clock out of boredom. If new position offers the possibility of not being (as) bored, take it! In the end, let happiness be the deciding factor. The market value of happiness will never depreciate.

[CheeZee]

..go for new , go for new , go for new .. either way your gonna go for your youth work at some point and leave all current work jive behind, and i reckon having a lil' scare in the shape of a new job will unleash some confidence that your gonna need when its time to bail and follow your chosen path !!

but im hearing you on the " i could just coast-it in the current job and bail when its time .. but i'd personally go for the new job i reckon ..i've coasted for as long as i can remember and damnnnnnn it gets boring huh ?!!

Either way darhlin, your out of there in a while so i guess the decision isnt gonna change your future because your future is youth working! .. so if you really cant decide .. do the old pro's and cons list , then look at the list and if the one that comes out on top makes you wish it was the other one that had (stay with me here!) ... then go with that feeling works for me

[Hang11]

Feel for you. It's never easy, you just have to make the decision, and then not look back.

I'm in the same boat today - and have to make a decision by the end of the day.

- new job, good career move, better money, hard work for 3 years, nice payout at the end of it, but very stressful.

- current job - cruisey, good money, plenty of time to surf/snowboard/family time

I'm wrestling with feeling guilty about not having ambition and wanting to chill out a bit.

[CheeZee]

I'm wrestling with feeling guilty about not having ambition and wanting to chill out a bit.

...wrestle no more Hang' ..ive got that guilt in a choke hold and it aint gonna bother you no more lol

Man..i used to beat myself up about the same thing but then had this lil' hippy moment of ...

" ambition to most is related to their material worth or status... mine is not " ... there aint nothing wrong with chilling bro ..nothing at all ..its when you find that coasting has turned into time wasting that you need to up your game a lil'

[Luke]

I'm wrestling with feeling guilty about not having ambition and wanting to chill out a bit.

...wrestle no more Hang' ..ive got that guilt in a choke hold and it aint gonna bother you no more lol

Man..i used to beat myself up about the same thing but then had this lil' hippy moment of ...

" ambition to most is related to their material worth or status... mine is not " ... there aint nothing wrong with chilling bro ..nothing at all ..its when you find that coasting has turned into time wasting that you need to up your game a lil'

Well said....i've always believed in doing a job that you actually like doing, than just working for money.

...by the way, i look forward to the publication of Mr Cheeze's collected works of philosophy.

[Hang11]

I'm wrestling with feeling guilty about not having ambition and wanting to chill out a bit.

...wrestle no more Hang' ..ive got that guilt in a choke hold and it aint gonna bother you no more lol

Man..i used to beat myself up about the same thing but then had this lil' hippy moment of ...

" ambition to most is related to their material worth or status... mine is not " ... there aint nothing wrong with chilling bro ..nothing at all ..its when you find that coasting has turned into time wasting that you need to up your game a lil'

Nice advice. And you're right.

I'm gonna stick with the old job. I think the clincher was I looked at the weather forecast this afternoon, and we've got half a metre of snow coming on Tuesday, so I'll be taking a few days off to play in the mountains next week. It's been a rubbish winter for snow, and stuff like that happening is a sign that life's too short, and you've got to make the most of the fun stuff when you can. Screw the money. I would have only blown the extra cash on a boat or a new 4wd or something like that I don't need.

So thanks Cheezee for making me think

[libby]

Go for the new job, definatley. Life is all about taking oppurtunities, if you dont enjoy it then at least you tried, and turning down oppurtunities to lead an easier life is a slippery slope to a boring life

[rich r]

Shoulda taken the new job.

A little extra work now means later on you can f-off and enjoy some fruits of your labors. Right now, I'm a senior exec yet have no one watching me day to day.

Swell hits, I'm working from the beach on a blackberry.

[Sar]

Shoulda taken the new job.

shoulda woulda coulda!
once you make a decision stick with it and dont ever think of what coulda been cos you shoulda have done somethingorotherelse. Sounds like you have a pretty tasty set up there and have got everything balanced already. Hope everything works out for ya Hang11

The boss came up with another option/offer so have told my prospective employer that I need more time, he was fine with it.....its not like its the original job I went for anyways. The prospective job is working in the same company just for another dept where they want to 'use my stengths' its rather similar to what Im doing just kinda newer. The new guy seems a thoroughly nice chap and great to work for so dont want to muck him about.....but Im erring on the side of staying in the same dept and moving to a new team to see what I can make of it.
They're used to my unapproachable nature before 3 cups of tea on a monday, my potty mouth, my 'business atire' or lack thereof, they're in full knowledge of the requirements of my youth work and are in full knowledge that Im starting my degree. Basicly, because they know Im good at what I do they let me get away with stuff....provided I dont take the mickey. I do feel like I need some kind of change but I think that the starting of my degree and the new school year will help with that...just need to shift my focus and stop trying to make life more 'challenging' for myself.....like has been said, think about my long term focus.

Thank you for your input all, I know its a personal decision but it does help to just put my thoughts out there with random strangers who dont have to deal with the consequences (like friends and family would do) if it all goes tits up.

[thaya]

sounds like you're gonna be really busy with a job, a degree and your youth work

was just interested to know if you'd made a decision about it yet? I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation... a new job would give you lots of new expeirences and challenges and might make work a bit more interesting, but it might be eaiser to stay where you are so that you can really focus on your degree and youth work without worrying about new responsibilities at work etc. Sounds like a tough call...

[Sar]

yeah going to be mega busy, have been trying to sort stuff out over the summer to make things a bit simpler for myself from here on in, no procrasinating now!! I just keep thinking about where it will land me eventually, its what I really, really want so I just have to get on and do it.....like I said to you and what was said earlier in this post - keep the long term dream in focus and then work like hell to get there....not too much though - might get hit by a bus tomorrow.

I have spoken to the OU and worked out how I am going to mix up the modules so I can complete it in 3-4 years, I'll be starting off slow but in feb the work I will be doing is comparable to 3/4 of a f/t degree as well as everything else...trying not to stress about it before the time arrives - no point worrying about it. I will be qualified to work in any centre in England or Wales and would gain points If I ever decided to move abroad- opens up my options a bit

For that reason I have decided to stay in my dept and just move teams. I have been working with the new team this week and I like it so far, just the change of people is great....back to the old team for a week next week tho
.......and the rest of the stuff is being sorted

[Luke]

You'll be sorted Sar. You've totally got the right way of looking at things.