Glad....professional question

TCsbride

So, I'm not exactly sure what you do, but I saw a couple weeks ago, pictures of your office, and considering its pretty big, I figured you have a decently high up position.

I work in probably a totally unrelated field (finance for the Air Force) but I just graduated from my 4 yr "trainee" program. I've still got 26 years before I can retire but I'm kind of stuck on where to go. One side of me thinks I make enough money, have enough work to keep me satisfied, so just keep it like it is and enjoy my time with my kids while they are young. BUT, the other side of me thinks, you would make a great manager and a great leader, spend a little extra time getting extra certifications (I already have my masters) and look for the opportunitues. If you have to travel a little more or work a little longer hours, you have a great support system in place and all will be well, and heck, the money will just be gravy.

So I was curious how you tackled this in your own life...

GladToBeMrs.SRS

I had a wonderful father (he passed away last February), who had a great outlook about life, wealth and happiness.  His focus was more about contentment and balance in life, as opposed to great riches.  He always told me that if I'm happy doing what I do, and I make enough to live a lifestyle that I'm comfortable with, to just enjoy life.  He wasn't implying that working hard and striving to achieve wasn't important (oops...double negative there, sorry!), just that it wasn't the MOST important thing in life. 

Remember that with managment, comes LOTS of stress.  Stress that most people never see, and cannot fathom.  Most people only see the "greatness" of being the "Boss Man/Woman."  Most people also assume the worst about people in positions of leadership.  It can be very, VERY frustrating.  I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to help someone, only to have them assume that I "have it in for them." 

I just heard this LAST WEEK, with a person who I've been trying to rehabilitate for months and months.  I've made concession after consession after consession for this person, offered compassion, a shoulder to cry on, and every possible help I could, only to hear that they are telling people to, "watch themselves," because I apparently have some evil scheme to eliminate them from the team.  ::sigh::  

If I'm remembering correctly, you are planning on having more children, right?  If so, I think I would be inclined to put more education and responsibility on hold until the kiddos are a little older.  You already have a LOT on your plate.  If something comes along that appeals to you, and you have the time and energy to put toward it, then go for it.  I don't know that I'd push it, though.  There will always, always be work.  There won't always be little hands to hold and little people to snuggle.  

I hope this helps.  I think that balance is always a struggle, and I hope you're able to find a comfortable spot in your life.  

 

TCsbride

It defintly wouldn't be about making more money. I know the gov't world is totally different, but there is really only one more "higher" level I could acheive. The rest will require us to move around which I'm just not willing to do. And for the next "higher" level, the pay currently is only about $500 more a year AND you have to supervise, HAHA, YEAH RIGHT! But once they get that back to how it was, it would be around a $15K a year raise, not enough IMO. I make pretty darn good money for the amount of leave we get and the non stressful job I have. Some offices are more stressful than others (60 hour mandated work weeks) but thankfully I'm not in those. Ours is pretty laid back, not too busy place. Everyone pulls their own weight and does what they are supposed to which helps a lot.

But to me I just feel like it's not really worth all the extra effort (going away for 6 wks to professional military training....boring). Right now I feel like I have it made....I can just do my job, have time to nest/bump or run personal errands on base, and I get paid really well already. Then when I'm home, I never worry about work and I have time to enjoy my kids and volunteer and find time to do my hobbies. But sometimes I just feel like I'm wasting my talent and that I should push myself, but really I have no desire. I'm happy where I am and really I think you helped me realize that that is okay. I've always been an overacheiver, but I think I can be happy just striving to be the best mom and wife possible and still having a good job and that is enough for me. Thanks!

GladToBeMrs.SRS

It sounds as though you're just in a really great place right now.  If I were you, I'd also be inclined to sit back and enjoy life for a while.  You can always take classes later on, if you so desire.  How wonderful for you and your family that you've found this spot in life.