After ten years of a fast-paced, stressful, but fulfilling and challenging position which was different day to day, I quit and went to work for an oil company as an admin. asst. I have been there for nine months and find it boring and unfulfilling. However, everyone is extremely nice, the company treats their employees like family, with hugh x-mas bonuses, no stress, can come and go as please.

I have recently been offered a position which will pay the same, has a faster-pace, more stress and hours, more corporate structure, but more challenging and interesting.

I am torn between being bored and unchallenged yet having a cushy job for good money, or taking the position which seems more interesting and challenging to me but may not treat their employees as well and requires a lot more hours.

How do I know which position to take? Am I looking a gift-horse in the mouth? I am extremely confused, I hope someone has some words of wisdom for me.

-- Debbie Roberts (droberts@gunnoil.com), April 04, 2001

Answers

I would consider what is more important to you, easy money or a challenge. With the dynamics of a changing economy, are you prepared if things didn't work out with your future employer? We always wonder if the grass is greener, but we will never know if we don't go there.

If your bored with your work, you need to change your surroundings. I think you should try out the new job. There has to be a reason why you went searching for it. That reason has to be a good reason to push you towards thinking about a new job. I think change is good.

-- Jennifer Ellis (jennifer_ellis@yahoo.com), April 07, 2001.

Hi Debbie,

You have at least three choices. You can stay, or go to that other job, OR go to another one you haven't discovered--yet.

The first thing you should do however, is slow down! Take a breath. Look inside. By that I mean get a good career development book or get a career coach or counselor to help you create a real vision for what you want for yourself. Such a vision is often a simple statement starting with the words, "I come alive when..." It includes words describing the talents and skills you really enjoy doing--which may be different from what you've been paid for. Your vision statement can also address the kinds of people you like having around you and the physical environment you prefer. It does not include any job titles--which can change from company to company anyway.

Start there--with what makes you come alive and then get someone to support you as you explore your options in the world. The following quote by Harold Thurman Whitman sums it up quite well: Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Good luck.

-- Dan Kennedy (coachdan@ResultsThatMatter.com), April 07, 2001.

Hi Debbie,

What do you want? What matters to you? What is your purpose? If you can honestly answer these questions, then you have a road map to arrive at a decision.

Good luck! Jennifer

-- Jen Bongar Graham (jabgraham@i-manila.com), May 25, 2001.