Tough Decisions Ahead

I work for myself and want to work 0 hours, unfortunately I do not have any employees. So, that is not a sustainable business model. My moto is work less, but for more money.

 

I highly doubt once I close the door with them ill ever go back (although ive been told life can be funny about such a thing). But this is my thought, I need to cut a trail in life to get somewhere other than where I am now

 

This is the almost word for speech I needed for if I do move on. (Which if the money is right its about a 90% chance ill move on)

 

If you can accomplish that then perfect!! But given your desire to work 0 hours, I bet you dont actually. Especially not at the expense of your bottom line. My boss told me to work yourself out of a job, and then move on... I aim for 40 hours myself. Non management is looking good.

 

You say this is like a second family.
Take this for a scenario for instance...
You take the other career and a year down the line #1 or #2 in the previous employer (God forbid) has a family problem and can't deal with the work load to keep said company alive. Now they come to you and ask if you can come back holding the top or 2nd position.
Stranger things have happened.

 

Unless you could come back somewhere closer to the top, most likely not worth it. Also, make sure to evaluate the risk of your new job. Is it for one job or is it steady work?

 

I work closer to 65 - 80. Owning your own business, you really never have time off as a one man show.

 

Define work yourself out of a job?

#1 has the license so without him its no business... And this new career is probably going to be about 10-15k more than #2 makes now...

 

That's what I was thinking. My family owns a small business and while it's not 80 hours, it definitely pours into home life and even though you're the boss, you belong to the business.

 

#1 doesn't have to leave just work less and if you are number 2. You can take the jobs and get the extra work you crave.

 

I cant list the company here, but they are one of the largest at what they do in this state, and they have offices in several states. They have lots of work

yeah, I feel like my work/life balance desires are different than my bosses

 

Sorry, I knew that was unclear. It means find ways to do your job more efficiently and then take on more responsibilities, presumably in other roles. It won't apply to everything lol

 

I am sure they are. I understand their dilemma with balancing work and home life. Being there for my kid is more important to me than one more account.
Life goals change once kids are in the mix.

 

This is exactly how you climb the ladder isn't it? Ive always been whats called a yes man. I dont turn down the work I just get it done.

 

I agree with what you say 100%. I have the same feelings at a similar point in my career. I have a hard time deciding what to attribute those feelings to though.

True once you attain a certain level of salary, have all the things that you thought you needed and a family that depends on you, you can’t easily go back and start over.

Same boat for me, but had I not stuck with it and changed careers I may not have obtained the same level of success. I’m not a hugely successful person, so I don’t mean to sound that way, but when I was younger I dreamed to be in the position that I am now. Now that I’m here I find myself doing the “what if” thing a lot. Could’ve stayed in the Marine Corps and would have been able to retire next year, or could’ve been a hippy and lived life in bliss absent material things, or could’ve been a world traveler or many other things. But who’s to say I wouldn’t be in those positions wishing I’d stuck with being an auditor?

I think these are the questions that midlife crisis’ are made of. And my friend we may be in them hahaha. Instead of buying a convertible I bought a Tacoma, just to cover the appearance of a midlife crisis.

 

Your boss isn't going to be there for you when it comes time to retire.....you have to look out for yourself and your family. If they can't understand that then there isn't anything you can say or do to.

 

I've been thinking to myself that I don't want to do the the what ifs anymore and I'm just starting out! Tell me that goes away in life lol!

 

This is a true point. I had the talk about health insurance with him but its too expensive for such a small company is what i was told. My main concern is I need health insurance benefits because I'm scared to have a heart attack or a stroke one day (my grandad who ive been told I'm very much like as far as my career drive died at 56 from a massive heart attack) because I have a family history of it.

 

I’m just going to go out on a limb here and say that you’re indecisive. I am too and I’m also neurotic.

If you are both as well then no, sadly, it does not go away. I think it is normal though and thoroughly analyzing your decisions is helpful overall. I don’t like surprises and I get very few of them being diligent.

I did not always question my career and all of that. This is a recent thing. Up until 2 years ago I was focused on money and moving up and did not think about anything else. I think my current feelings come from a position of privilege, having attained most of what I set out to do on the career front. Now that I have I don’t think about that as much and now think about what I could or should have done instead. Basically it’s a midlife crisis and we will likely all have one.

 

I've been at my job for just over 20yrs and have been very loyal to them but I still look out for me and my own because in the end that's all you have. If you don't make/save enough to retire over your working career there will be nobody there to help you (I get that your kids and family MIGHT) and then where will you be? And lets take that hypothetical heart attack you mentioned.....That would definitely wipe you out if you didn't have any health insurance. Hell, even with health insurance you can still get the short end of the stick. By them not paying you what your worth they are telling you they don't value you as much as you do them! That's also their way of looking out for themselves and not you! See how that works? It's business for them....