Work Dilemma

LegacyUser

Hi All.

Not a 3rd world problem and I suppose one a lot of people would like to have but still, I'd like some advice.

I'm currently in a job that pays well, 100k+ a year (gross) I've always been a hard worker and have never missed a deadline and have hit all targets required of me in the last decade. I've also started from the ground up within the organisation.

However, as I've progressed my career (sales related) I dislike the target driven approach, and essentially the continuous merry-go-round that goes with it year after year.

Target, Prospect, Close, rinse and repeat.

I'm currently doing an executive MBA which I'm enjoying. However I've been offered a job (5 mins from my current job) which really aligns to the skill-sets I most want to progress, its removed from the sales world and at a decent managerial level with significant opportunity to grow into more progressive roles.

There would however be a slight pay cut, perhaps as much as 15% and I'd lose health insurance.

I've never taken a job for money related purposes, I even took a pay cut to get into this organisation as I could see greater potential. This is what I see now if i were to move jobs. However, there are some reasons that have made me very hesitant.

I have a young family, wife and 3 kids, all who are under 6. This job affords me complete autonomy, I come, I go, I do what I like so long as my work is done. In that respect it's fantastic in terms of work life balance. However, whilst I'm good at the work its not something that sets me on fire. Again, I love the people in my job and I've never got up once and said, god it's work today. In fact if I was to remain here for 10 more years I'd probably be content......But I don't want to be JUST content.

Secondly, with the autonomy comes the freedom to pursue my education and MBA and when I have downtime I can put my efforts into projects etc which has resulted in me achieving high grades thus far.

Grrrrr

Kidchameleon

I think you would be mad to change jobs at the moment. Beleive me, those kids will be grown up before you know it. In a few years when your education is done and the kids are older (and you have had quality time with them) you can get a job that satisfies you. For now I think you are in a perfect position, put up with the grind for now as it is affording you priceless flexibility.

Akrasia

If you're in a well paying job that you enjoy and allows a good work life balance that allows you to be there for your family and kids you've hit the jackpot

Batgurl

I agree with the others OP. The job you are in seems like the better prospective given the current stage you are in in life.

The role you are looking to move into, have you ever done it before? Do you know that it would satisfy you? Do you know if you’d be any good at it? Even if the previous 2 questions are the affirmative, do you know if the company you would move to would suit you?

I have previously talked with colleagues and even reports about moving companies and the advice I always mention is that, when you move, you lose all respect and goodwill you earned in your existing company. You have to build all that up again based on proving yourself and trust. That takes time.

You also never fully know a company til you work there, so while you think moving away from your “toxic” company may seem like the solution to all your problems, you don’t know if the next one could be worse!

Lastly, sometimes it’s ok to just be “content” at certain points in our lives. Striving for greatness is a great ambition to have but it will always be there. Your kids childhood won’t.

farmchoice

Work_Dilemma wrote: »

Hi All.

Not a 3rd world problem and I suppose one a lot of people would like to have but still, I'd like some advice.

I'm currently in a job that pays well, 100k+ a year (gross) I've always been a hard worker and have never missed a deadline and have hit all targets required of me in the last decade. I've also started from the ground up within the organisation.

However, as I've progressed my career (sales related) I dislike the target driven approach, and essentially the continuous merry-go-round that goes with it year after year.

Target, Prospect, Close, rinse and repeat.

I'm currently doing an executive MBA which I'm enjoying. However I've been offered a job (5 mins from my current job) which really aligns to the skill-sets I most want to progress, its removed from the sales world and at a decent managerial level with significant opportunity to grow into more progressive roles.

There would however be a slight pay cut, perhaps as much as 15% and I'd lose health insurance.

I've never taken a job for money related purposes, I even took a pay cut to get into this organisation as I could see greater potential. This is what I see now if i were to move jobs. However, there are some reasons that have made me very hesitant.

I have a young family, wife and 3 kids, all who are under 6. This job affords me complete autonomy, I come, I go, I do what I like so long as my work is done. In that respect it's fantastic in terms of work life balance. However, whilst I'm good at the work its not something that sets me on fire. Again, I love the people in my job and I've never got up once and said, god it's work today. In fact if I was to remain here for 10 more years I'd probably be content......But I don't want to be JUST content.

Secondly, with the autonomy comes the freedom to pursue my education and MBA and when I have downtime I can put my efforts into projects etc which has resulted in me achieving high grades thus far.

Grrrrr

#
what you have here is worth its weight in gold, in a few years they will all be in school and you might be able to have things a bit more regimented, but for now i'd stay where you are.

ginandtonicsky

Yeah I was all about “go chase your dream!” until I read that bit about your family and young kids. I think your family responsibilities outweigh your need for self actualisation at this time.

I get it OP, I work in Sales. The high targets and monotonous outbound and closing out the quarter and rinse and repeat gets old. In my case it’s the stress and the constant focus on figures above everything else that gets to me. But there’s money to be made, you’re clearly good at it and I don’t get the sense that stress and anxiety are concerns for you seeing as you e got a decent work life balance and can manage an MBA on the side, even with the young kids at home.

Honestly, I’d love to be in your position! I think most of us don’t have it as lucky. My advice would be to keep the head down, finish the MBA and stick it out at least until the kids are a bit older and changing careers is a less risky move.

The_Honeybadger

Op I was in a somewhat similar position about a year ago, similar size family etc. While I wasn’t earning as much as you are I had a very good salary and a job where I was performing very well and had amazing flexibility, was able to work from home when needed, get off early for appointments etc., boss was easygoing as long as targets were met. Tbh I probably took advantage of this environment at times but I never once missed a deadline. I also had a great relationship with the rest of the team. I was happy there but an opportunity came up elsewhere that I felt I had to go for.

I left my previous job for a role that most people would consider to be a lot more prestigious, as well as having much better promotional opportunities. It’s a more rigid clock in / clock out setup in a much bigger organisation. The work is interesting and rewarding but my new manager is a chronic workaholic who likes to micro manage (nothing personal he does it with everyone). He often criticises staff who don’t put in overtime behind their back. He is also very picky about annual leave and won’t approve leave if another member of the team is off at the same time despite the fact we do project work rather than public facing work and it would actually benefit us to synchronise leave.

The lack of flexibility is a killer. My wife works odd hours and it’s really putting a strain on things at home. We have had to pull the kids out of a number of activities they previously enjoyed as I am regularly required to work late to meet makey uppy deadlines, I.e. boss wants things completed before they are actually due. Tbh I wouldn’t mind any of the above if the kids weren’t so young. The boss is generally sound and I am learning a lot, it’s the right job at the wrong time I guess.

I suppose the overall point I am trying to make is that you can’t put a price on work life balance and flexibility. Be very very careful about leaving a job that pays well and let’s you have a good and balanced home life. Very few people are in the position you are in now.

jimd2

Work_Dilemma wrote: »

Hi All.

Not a 3rd world problem and I suppose one a lot of people would like to have but still, I'd like some advice.

I'm currently in a job that pays well, 100k+ a year (gross) I've always been a hard worker and have never missed a deadline and have hit all targets required of me in the last decade. I've also started from the ground up within the organisation.

However, as I've progressed my career (sales related) I dislike the target driven approach, and essentially the continuous merry-go-round that goes with it year after year.

Target, Prospect, Close, rinse and repeat.

I'm currently doing an executive MBA which I'm enjoying. However I've been offered a job (5 mins from my current job) which really aligns to the skill-sets I most want to progress, its removed from the sales world and at a decent managerial level with significant opportunity to grow into more progressive roles.

There would however be a slight pay cut, perhaps as much as 15% and I'd lose health insurance.

I've never taken a job for money related purposes, I even took a pay cut to get into this organisation as I could see greater potential. This is what I see now if i were to move jobs. However, there are some reasons that have made me very hesitant.

I have a young family, wife and 3 kids, all who are under 6. This job affords me complete autonomy, I come, I go, I do what I like so long as my work is done. In that respect it's fantastic in terms of work life balance. However, whilst I'm good at the work its not something that sets me on fire. Again, I love the people in my job and I've never got up once and said, god it's work today. In fact if I was to remain here for 10 more years I'd probably be content......But I don't want to be JUST content.

Secondly, with the autonomy comes the freedom to pursue my education and MBA and when I have downtime I can put my efforts into projects etc which has resulted in me achieving high grades thus far.

Grrrrr

To be honest I think that you are showing a degree of naivety even asking the question. VERY few people in my experience in both private and public sector are earning €100k+ and have that sort of flexibility in their work.

SOME self employed people do but hat is following an inheritance of a business or a well executed development of a business.

At the same time if you do move you may well be happier in the long run but will probably have the same family issues like the rest of us.

LegacyUser

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback. I appreciate you all taking the time to reply and the advice is mirroring what i feel in my heart.

At the moment i think it’s a step too far for me and my family. I’m going to remain where i am for the next 3 years until my youngest is at least 5. (unless i get the sack before hand )

Again thank you all,