After years of working for the same company I am becoming more and more disillusioned and disappointed by my current position. I have considered leaving on more occasions than I can count, but after careful analysis I always decide to stay.
For the last couple of years I have been plagued by health issues that require a flexible work schedule. On a weekly basis I visit with at least two health practitioners, sometimes more. Chronic pain also makes it difficult to stick to a weekly work schedule. Some days I am able to fight the pain and go into the office, on other days my only option is to work from home.
Despite its faults my current job provides the flexibility I need. Finding a new, more challenging job would certainly be more enjoyable and rewarding, but I doubt I could find a position with as much flexibility, so for the time being I am staying put. I have no idea how long I will stay, but as of today I have no plans to leave. Of course, if my health improves I will certainly reconsider my options.
Many people work at jobs they dislike for similar reasons. A co-worker of mine dislikes her job, but admits that she can leave it at the office at the end of the day. With a small child at home she doesn’t want a job that requires her to work long, stress filled hours. Although her job isn’t particularly rewarding, it provides the greatest benefit to her, uninterrupted time with her family after hours.
I don’t hate my job. I just don’t particularly enjoy it. But most importantly, at the end of the day, I am clear about why I have not found a new job. I know that under different circumstances I would move on to a new position. I also know that given my current circumstances I am lucky and grateful to have a job that provides the thing I need most. At this time flexibility trumps all of my other desires.
I know what you mean about priorities. My current job has some interesting challenges, but mostly it’s just annoying challenges (politics, etc.). I’ve stuck with them for over 6 years, though, because I get (seriously) 5 weeks vacation. That’s not including holidays, though it does include my “sick days”. Still, no one can match that. Plus, I work from home full-time, which is wonderful.
All that being said, I’m hoping to stay home with my kids when baby #3 is born in July. I’ll probably work part-time for a while to help transition. (I have a job with a steep learning curve.) Then I’ll be able to focus on my family.
You could always try to look at your job from a different perspective. See if you can do the job in a different way or make it more interesting if you can.
@kansas mom — hmm… a full-time work from home position with 5 weeks of vacation. I can see why you’re sticking with your job for the time being. It’s good that you’re thinking through your priorities and making a plan for your transition after the birth of your next child.
@rachel — I’ve certainly tried to make the job more interesting. So far, I haven’t had much luck on that one.
It sounds like you are really looking for a big life transition. How about picking a few careers (similar or different than the one you have now) and shadow people in those fields…see if you like it?
I do think it sounds very fulfilling to be a stay-at-home mom. There really isn't any job as fulfilling as that.