Job Opportunity vs Audio Hobby

[droht]

Let me run something by you. Tell me if I am crazier than usual.

I work in sales, but have a history in manufacturing. I have a chance to run a manufacturing plant. It would be a little more money, but a really significant bullet point on the resume if I want to climb way up the corporate ladder some day. I'm 41, so I have a little time, but not lots.

The downside is lifestyle impact. The job is 8 - 5 on-site minimum, + travel time, with various needs to go in at night at times and on weekends. Basically on call 24/7. I've done that, when younger with no family. No big desire to go back to it. My sales role is VERY flexible. I see my 4 yr old all the time. We take play breaks during the day, and I can watch her if my wife has an appointment or needs to get something done around the house. I am super-appreciative of having this job for my child's entire life so far. I can't imagine basically being away from her the vast majority of the time she is awake during the week.

She starts kindergarten in Aug 2010, so things will change a bit, then more when she's in first grade. At that point my work flexibility will not be that significant. So if I add it all together I am very close to a coin toss on whether to keep current role or go for the bigger opportunity. The clincher for me is this audio hobby thing. I get a good hour of music in most week days; sometimes more. Not so much at night or on weekends, except with headphones. If I take the new job I can effectively pack up my two channel home office rig. I really don't want to do that.

I figure if anyone will back up my decision to stick with current role it's the crew around here. So, what do you think? I can easily justify it as "family first", and there is a lot of truth to that, but I know what the real clincher is.

[Mark Seaton]

If the "little bit more money" isn't a significant bump to financial security or lifestyle, and if you feel your current sales position is rewarding enough to want to get up and do it each day, I'd say this would be an unwise move given what you have told us. Your current flexibility affords you the opportunity to occasionally pick your daughter up from school, get involved with her school, and be around for any after school activities. I'd say that plus your personal flexibility is worth a lot more than "a little bit more money."

My 2c.

[droht]

The money thing would not be significant today. It could be very significant in the future. Could be. But it would mean relocating away from family and friends, and living someplace where I would not otherwise choose to live.

I tend to be an "in the moment" person, because the moment is all that is really guaranteed. When faced with decisions like this one I tend to question my instincts a bit, I think because I don't want to feel unambitious or complacent.

[dguarnaccia]

Seems like an easy choice to me, your kids won't be kids forever, and that kind of time spent with them is priceless. I work at home as well, and while I could make more in an office job in another city, I wouldn't trade it for the world. And the listening time is just icing on the cake.

IMHO at least

[django1]

I think because I don't want to feel unambitious or complacent.

It depend on how you define ambitious. My main ambition is to be a happy. To me being a success is being independent, having free time to screw around, not having stomach ulcers and doing things to prove my worth to others. When I get to working too much I always see the epitaph on my tombstone:" Here lies Stephen, he was a good worker for the company"

Anyway my two cents. Bottom line don't do it because you feel you should, do it because you want to.

[chessman]

Take it from a "success" who lost out on way too much time with his kids, stick with the present deal. When I got hit by a truck 12 years ago, I did not lay in that hospital bed thinking about work or money, just my kids.

[carpediem]

While it is always a positive, to elicit ideas and thoughts from others, in the end, you will be the one taking the steps in your own shoes, and must feel comfortable as well as happy with the decision you make.

Nothing wrong with a little remorse along the path we travel. What is important, is that once you make the decision, you set your eyes ahead of you, and make the most of the decision(s) you have made. No need to second guess yourself, as that just tends to be a negative emotion.

With respect to the opportunities at hand. I have had friends and family members make both decisions, and many of them have been happy with their decisions. Both the ones who have taken the "career/employment path" as well as those who have taken the "life is about living" path. For some, the two paths are the same. For others, they are separate paths.

I do not know your significant other status. Have you had a chance to ask the same questions to them?

Oftentimes, when one asks others about career and life changes, they are looking to be backed up by their thoughts, or to re-enforce that "blind step" they may be taking. The most important person to ask those questions, is the person looking you in the mirror.(no, not the dude standing behind you at the men's room sink................)

[droht]

Just what I expected and hoped you guys would say...which is good. Almost all of my work friends have the "go for it" attitude. I needed some balance. I really don't have any doubts about which path is better.

My wife actually agrees 100% on the career thing. She sacrificed her career a while back to be in a position to be a stay at home mom. That is a move we don't regret at all, despite some significant dollars left on the table.

Thanks!

[dvenardos]

Good choice man, you can't take the money with you. :yes:

[django1]

Good choice man, you can't take the money with you. :yes:

Uh, they tell me you can't take anything with you...

[woofersus]

Uh, they tell me you can't take anything with you...

I'm pretty sure the speakers can go. Not money, just audio.

[dvenardos]

Uh, they tell me you can't take anything with you...

Which is exactly why you should spend your time doing what you love, or at least minimize your time doing what you have to so you can spend more time doing what is important, because you can't ever get that time back. YMMV. :D

[arthurs]

You don't live to work....you work to live.....

It's actually a very complicated question....

You have to look at your whole life and what goals you have set and how you want your life to be over the next few years, and you have to do this with your entire family giving input.....then decide what you collectively think is best to meet those goals and what does or does not fit into the life you're aspiring to...

I can tell you personally we (my family and I) just passed up what most of my friends and colleagues deemed to be the opportunity of a lifetime....in the end it wasn't enough money and everything else to risk what we have and love about our lives today....professionally I may always have a small question mark about this decision, but as a husband, father and human being, maybe the single boldest but best decision I've ever made....no regrets there at all...