AboutJeroen R. van Olst Expertise “What do I want to do?” This, along with: “How am I going to do this?” and “Am I on the right track?” is the most frequently asked question I have received in my career as a vocational counselor to students and career advisor and coach to all-level professionals.
Experience With a vast professional and human experience in the international business community, now, for the past 15 years, I work as an independent counselor to those who want to find their talents and live a full and happy professional and personal life.
Education/Credentials BA Hotel Administration, BA Advertising. For the rest, I received my professional and personal education by working hard and with a lot of blood, sweat and tears.
Expert: Jeroen R. van Olst Date: 5/6/2008 Subject: Should I stay or should I go?
Question Jeroen
Here is my position.
I am 50,with only a high school education.
For the last 20 years I have worked for my City's Parks department where I have risen from labourer to an assistant Foreman.
The 'good points' of the job are:
1.Pay is very good,hours are Mon-Fri with every third Friday off.
2.Its pretty easy since I have been doing it for so long.
3.Good job security.
Bad points are:
1.Layoffs are starting to get very boring,although I try to fill my days exercising,doing houswork,and working a little part time. These layoffs were great while my kids were young but they are teenagers now and the days of taking them to school,coaching soccer etc are over.
2. I dont feel challenged anymore and some of my co-workers are 'getting on my nerves' ;-)
3. With retirement looming I havent been able to put much away.
Ok,here is my conundrum
I have several friends and ex co workers that have been hired in the last couple years by city transit (buses) which is expanding.
They seem to like it generally,though the hours are longer,no weekends off.I think I could handle the nights-I dont have any fovorite TV shows or activities in the evening.Also the wage is the same but there is opportunity for lots of overtime at doubletime.
Also five weeks vacation,other good union benefits more than what I have now.
I have made some inquiries and if I am willing to make the jump I can get in.I am not getting any younger so I need to make a decision.
I think I would like the work,but I just need a push from my nice soft chair. Also,if I do take the job,there is no going back to the old one-some kind of union thing-I would be bumped back to a labourer.
I am not much of a guy to confide in others. My wife says do what my heart tells me,but I know the extra income and retirement benefits appeal to her.
If I was younger I wouldnt have so much trepidation.It is a completely different job and lifestyle.
Sorry for such a long letter,hope you understand.
What do you think? Should I stay or should I go?
Answer Dear Barry,
First of all, I apologize for answering this late. I only received your question today because of some computer problems.
Long letters give a lot of info. The more info, the better. At least, in my line of work.
‘It’s pretty easy since I have been doing it for so long.’ And that’s exactly the reason why you are bored, with everything. It’s all become too routine, and so, too easy. The challenge of change appeals to you. Nervous about it? I know I would be. You know what you’ve got, but you don’t know what you’ll get. Then it is, indeed, time to listen to your heart (yourself) and do what it (you) tells you. The rest are arguments derived from fear of losing a comfortable feeling or thought. Still, you feel discomfort. Meaning that you strongly lean toward taking it and getting happy with your new life. It’s like starting over, but it isn’t, really. It’s the natural step forward you will take toward fulfillment of what you actually want.
Reading between the lines of what you write, I hear your decision to take the job and embark on this adventure called change. You’re thrilled by the opportunity. The only thing standing in your way is the fear of losing what you have now. While you actually don’t have it anymore, exactly because of this opportunity you have been presented. Life (you) is telling you that it’s time for a change. Always listen to yourself. Go for it.
You may want to think about this: What if this new job doesn’t work out? Well, at least, in the end, you will never have to say… ‘If I only had done it!’ Which is not a very good way to look back at things.
On the practical side, it seems that you will be conditionally better off than with the job you have now. So, indeed, take the plunge. I see no argument in not doing it. Time to step out of the comfort zone? I think so. At 52, I still see that as a challenge to enrich myself (professionally and personally) with life experience.
And remember:
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain
