This is it. I finally have to make some kind of decision. About work. And this means that my life is dominated by thinking about work. I hate that. And I got a jury summons the other day. Not any old summons--one for grand jury. Is there a screening process or are you just on? It's really all I need. But my stupid problems...I know I need to take them seriously. But they just signal my privilege. And I read about these people who retire early by simply not spending their money. That could be me...yet I've recently been on a spending tear like nobody's business--some bike stuff, clothing, shoes--and why? I have the urge to purge some of my old things but the idea is exhausting. Doing anything other than knitting and watching movies is exhausting. Well, that's not quite true. I have been going on long bike rides, reading, working. It's interacting with new people that seems exhausting. Not to mention the brand new car I bought a year ago and haven't even driven 4,000 miles yet. Wow. I wanted it. I bought it. I'm the only one who seems to think it was a mistake.
I have a job offer but I haven't accepted it yet. They want me to start in June. I took this to my old friend, TR, who is currently in a leadership position in our organization and has more power than usual due to people above him leaving. I tried to leverage the offer into a solution to my problem because, fundamentally, I want to stay. After a few weeks, I went back to him to find out what they could do for me. What he offered was a 6-month detail as his direct report (lord I hate that term). That's a short term solution--he called it a "cooling off" period (that's how he would sell it)--to a permanent problem. However, while on the detail, he would continue to work on a longer term solution. The question is, should I take it or should I go? Going has a lot in its favor--I could greatly benefit from working somewhere else. But, staying does too--no one leaves this job when they have a portofolio of projects like mine. It's the best this job can ever be and it seems CRAZY to leave it. Except that it's killing me. I have made the chart and this is what it looks like:
| Pros | Cons |
New Job |
- 9% raise
- Learning opportunity
- Chance at supervisory experience (probably)
- Long commute could be used for biking or reading
- Decent benefits
- Flexible tour
- Relatively little supervision
|
- Direct supervisor is odd
- Not sure I'll like the substance or what it will be
- Long commute
- Fewer sick days
- Less generous benefits
|
Current Job |
- Interesting, important work
- Good (even outstanding!) at the job
- Some challenges
- Care about the work
- Good benefits
- Relatively low stress
- Friends
- Temporary supervisor fix
|
- Uncertain long term fix for supervisor problem
- Lots of boring tasks
- Horrible institutional processes
- No room for promotion
- Rut
|
I still have no idea what to do. ARGH!
Grateful for: a good problem (I guess).
PS Making tables for the blog is still a pain--but I found a site that automatically generates the code: http://tablegen.nfshost.com/ Thank you anonymous code generators!
I tend to stick way too long with the devil I know--maybe you do too? But I hear you, it's hard.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new book out on decision-making drawing on the latest psychological/behavioral economics thinking: http://heathbrothers.com/books/decisive/ I haven't read it but I liked another book of theirs, and I heard the authors talking to Dan Pink on this show: http://www.danpink.com/office-hours (you can download and listen to the episode). It summarized some of their key advice. One thing I remember they said is that you should imagine what you would tell a friend to do, which tends to be more focused on the long-term bottom line than what you tell yourself.
Well, I certainly don't stick long with romantic-type relationships. I'm quite loyal in friendships, though. As to work--hard to say. My current job is basically the only professional position I've ever had (though I've had many jobs).
DeleteI looked at the free chapter of the book and I'm listening to the podcast! I may be in too deep for much to help, but I really appreciate the references!