"What I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career" (Career advice)

First topic message reminder :

OK, so I have a little bit of a quandary career-wise.

One one hand, I have a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. I'm good at what I do, my job is pretty secure and it affords me more freedom and flexibility than I ever could have imagined having in my career -- freedom to set my own responsibilities, focus on what I want to focus on and create pretty much every protocol for meeting my department's responsibilities.

On the other hand, it doesn't pay very well and it's a newspaper job, so there's realistically no advancement beyond where I am now.

I'd like to get people's thoughts here. Should I stay where I'm at and just count myself lucky to be a full-time employed journalist with an amount of freedom and security virtually unheard of in my industry?

Or, should I try to acquire new skills and start a completely different career at the age of 40?

Or should I go for some middle path that allows me to pick up more money on the side while keeping my job?

Or something else?

Okay lady, I love you, bye-bye.

I just can't stand it any longer. I really can't.

I'll just have to skip all his posts again. I've never known anyone get everything so wrong - every single time.

Raggamuffin wrote:Didge, forget it. You did this with eddie as well - read something false into a post she made.

I can't go on explaining every little thing to you.

Ho easily did I prove my point?
I was not nasty to you.
Yet you choose to become defensive.
I asked a simple question, how you react is down to you Rags

Raggamuffin wrote:I just can't stand it any longer. I really can't.

I'll just have to skip all his posts again. I've never known anyone get everything so wrong - every single time.

he clearly strives for consistency rather then accuracy....

I mean, I've sat here and said I turned down a job which meant more money because I loved the one I had. I've said that I'm trying to declutter because I acquired stuff I didn't need. I've posted a funny sketch from George Carlin. Still Didge misunderstands and gets it all wrong.

WTF is wrong with the guy?

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:I just can't stand it any longer. I really can't.

I'll just have to skip all his posts again. I've never known anyone get everything so wrong - every single time.

he clearly strives for consistency rather then accuracy....

Seriously, what is wrong with him? Why does he completely misunderstand every little thing?

Raggamuffin wrote:

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

he clearly strives for consistency rather then accuracy....

Seriously, what is wrong with him? Why does he completely misunderstand every little thing?

it's his specialty I think, if he misunderstands he can turn it in to something he wants it to be...

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

Seriously, what is wrong with him? Why does he completely misunderstand every little thing?

it's his specialty I think, if he misunderstands he can turn it in to something he wants it to be...

It's like he reads your post and sees something completely different to what you actually said.

Raggamuffin wrote:I mean, I've sat here and said I turned down a job which meant more money because I loved the one I had. I've said that I'm trying to declutter because I acquired stuff I didn't need. I've posted a funny sketch from George Carlin. Still Didge misunderstands and gets it all wrong.

WTF is wrong with the guy?

Still envy.
Why do you need to think about anyone else with more money?

Talk to the hand Didge.

You're doing my head in - I would like to request that you do not address me.

I didn't mention anyone else having more fucking money.

Raggamuffin wrote:Talk to the hand Didge.

You're doing my head in - I would like to request that you do not address me. 

The most important point. If this is not a big issue and you do not feel envy, why are you the one making a big song and dance about this?
I will address you as copout if you like?

Original Quill wrote:I was told: It’s not about the thing; it’s about the ride.  

Are you not happy doing this?  Then go where it feels better.

Or, are you picking apart your life because the big explosion hasn't happened yet?

Or are you just restless, like me, and you keep saying: yes, that looks like fun!?

You are in a business that can make a lot of money and still be exciting, so don't change if money or challenge is the problem.  The only reason you would change is if you are totally bored and have no interest anymore.

Try some alternative ways to do the same thing.  Other outlets.  Use your imagination.

That's pretty much what I meant too. You can keep the same job, but if you have freedom in that job you can be creative, or you can use your experience to branch out a bit without leaving.

One thing I will say. If you work with people you like and connect with, any job can be fun.

Raggamuffin wrote:I didn't mention anyone else having more fucking money.

The swearing is an admission of a complex issue.
I get you hate people abusing money, but you still envy money.
Why?
Money is really man made.

Two thoughts/sayings on this that might be helpful for you Ben...


If you find a job that you enjoy doing then you aren't really having to work at all.


The grass is always greener on The other side.

Tommy Monk wrote:Two thoughts/sayings on this that might be helpful for you Ben...


If you find a job that you enjoy doing then you aren't really having to work at all.


The grass is always greener on The other side.

True.

I've left jobs a couple of times and gone back because the grass on the other side wasn't any greener.

I've also had jobs which I couldn't leave fast enough.

Tommy Monk wrote:Two thoughts/sayings on this that might be helpful for you Ben...


If you find a job that you enjoy doing then you aren't really having to work at all.


The grass is always greener on The other side.

That only makes sense if you have goal.
You can be very happy without a goal.
All that shows is you place a higher standard for yourself that you can never hope to achieve.
Commendable, but very daft, as you have no understanding of human limitations.
Face facts, you will never be an Alexander the Great Buudy

Ben_Reilly wrote:OK, so I have a little bit of a quandary career-wise.

One one hand, I have a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. I'm good at what I do, my job is pretty secure and it affords me more freedom and flexibility than I ever could have imagined having in my career -- freedom to set my own responsibilities, focus on what I want to focus on and create pretty much every protocol for meeting my department's responsibilities.

On the other hand, it doesn't pay very well and it's a newspaper job, so there's realistically no advancement beyond where I am now.

I'd like to get people's thoughts here. Should I stay where I'm at and just count myself lucky to be a full-time employed journalist with an amount of freedom and security virtually unheard of in my industry?

Or, should I try to acquire new skills and start a completely different career at the age of 40?

Or should I go for some middle path that allows me to pick up more money on the side while keeping my job?

Or something else?

Okay lady, I love you, bye-bye.

Ben, it's one of those things that no-one can advise you on, because they can't see inside your head. Is there something you have a burning desire to do in life that is different to what you do now? Or is there something you want to accomplish, and if there is, can you do it outside of the job as a hobby, or would you have to leave to do it? Do you want a different life or are you just questioning yourself because of the big 4 0? Can you envisage getting to the end of your working life and still be doing the same thing? I have changed jobs many times, sometimes it has worked out great, sometimes it hasn't, and the one I earned the most in I left and reported them for dangerous working practices and that was the best thing I ever did, even though it made my life very difficult.

You are the only one that knows what you really want. But you only have one life and you don't want to get to the end wishing you had done something different.

Same here rags, that's the whole point of what I meant...


The grass will always seem greener, or at least the chance of it being greener is the perception and lure... but then only to find out it isn't at all!!!


And how could it be, if you were already in a job that you enjoyed doing!?


If you have to work, what could be better than getting paid for doing a job that you enjoyed!?



And dodge... I don't understand your post at all... in fact it makes me think that you didn't properly understand what I said...!?


Either that or you have been on The sauce again...!?

Tommy Monk wrote:Same here rags, that's the whole point of what I meant...


The grass will always seem greener, or at least the chance of it being greener is the perception and lure... but then only to find out it isn't at all!!!


And how could it be, if you were already in a job that you enjoyed doing!?


If you have to work, what could be better than getting paid for doing a job that you enjoyed!?



And dodge... I don't understand your post at all... in fact it makes me think that you didn't properly understand what I said...!?


Either that or you have been on The sauce again...!?

The first time I went back to a job, I actually went back to the same company but a slightly different job. I was headhunted.

Has Didge misunderstood one of your posts as well?

I'm glad it's not just me he does it to.

@ben

do you like what you do?
if so keep doing it

Although it cant hurt to try and find some extra employment or pick up some new skills.

veya_victaous wrote:@ben

do you like what you do?
if so keep doing it

Although it cant hurt to try and find some extra employment or pick up some new skills.

options are always a good thing, it never hurts to see what else is on offer..