My New Adventure, Part Deux

I made a choice about my job situation. I chose to try something new that I think is for the best (stress levels, conscience, etc.) and in so doing, I turned down an investment firm's very decent offer. While the job I chose is certainly not a bad paying gig, it pays less than the investment firm and is a longer commute from home.

However, I'm trying to stick to my belief that money isn't everything and while I certainly enjoy shopping :-) I want to enjoy my workdays and feel as if what I'm doing really will make a difference. Yeah, yeah, I know I may sound like an extreme idealist but I've had my share of working for the man who doesn't give a damn about the lil man.

Although I'm happy at work and think the environment is much better than several of my last jobs, I can't seem to shake a nagging feeling which surfaces every three days or so that says I may have just turned my back on the rewards that were starting to roll in, such as the job offers and compensation. After all, didn't I pay my dues in the financial services industry so that I could get to this position and higher??

I'm trying to figure out why I have these thoughts even though I'm happy with my job. Is it that I've been programmed to think that success is defined by how much you make and the reputation of the company that you work for, which in turn determines your worth as a person? I don't think that success is defined by $$ or status, but is there something brewing in my subconscious?

Most of my friends have been supportive of my decision while two have said that they thought I was making a mistake by a) taking less money and b) by choosing to work in DC and have to take the train to work. But hey, I'm going to do what I claimed was on my list of things to pay attention to this year, and that is to trust my instincts. Therefore, I will say that based on instincts, I made the best choice and if someone's really a friend, they'll just be happy for me.

I've added another year!

I've successfully added another year to my life! Woo hoo! Ok, so technically I didn't really add the year. However, I think it's a good sign that I've made it to another year without inflicting bodily harm to several of my ex-coworkers and ex-bosses. That is definitely something I should celebrate.

Another aspect of my life that I'm celebrating this day is that this is the first birthday in quite some years that I'm not partying the weekend away or ending up hung over or drunk by the end of the night. Well, at least I don't plan to end up drunk tonight but since I didn't plan to feel relaxed (very!) last night, who knows! Seriously though, I think this is another good start.

So, I've been hearing about these life lists that people are making and since I'm not a list kinda gal, I think I'll just stick to my usual and at least think about what I want to focus on this year and I'll list the kosher ones here as reminders.

And who knows, maybe I'll get adventurous and post the "not-so-kosher" juicier ones later! ;-)

1. Continue last year's goal of making the effort to always be a better daughter, spouse and friend.
2. Continue learning (about anything that interests me...)
3. Be a more patient person
4. Be more considerate of other people's feelings
5. Trust my instincts more
   

My New Life

Ok, so it's not really a new life but it sure feels like it.

My life as an unemployed person sure is interesting. Let's see. I was going to make a daily journal of everything I did and then I realized that - well - I didn't do much of anything. Oh, yeah I went on some interviews that were quite interesting and spoke with a million and what seems like never-ending recruiters.

Yeah, yeah, my life is sooo hard these days, right? Wrong! Ha! My life is great. I have no job which is equal to no stress!! But, I did get reacquainted with the cleaning supplies at my house (or lack thereof...) and the dog was "freed" to roam around slowly in the morning instead of the usual 2-minute hustle I force on him. Oh, the most exciting parts of my days consist of studying in the morning for a couple of hours and then being able to work out for like two hours around midday!! Why aren't I independantly wealthy? Then I can have this lifestyle all the time. AND, I promise not to bitch about how tough life is when you have money and how money grubbing people want to rob you blind.

Ok, so I snuck a rant in there...but other than that, I'm looking forward to the days of doing, ummm, well nothing. Until I choose where to go to work, that is...

Choices include staying in the private sector and going to work at an investment firm (yeah snore, I know) or get into a new industry altogether (gov't). I'm leaning towards the gov't as I'm tired of all the snooty "I'm-better-than-everybody-attitudes" that are close friends of the "I'm-an-ivy-leaguer-so-I-know-more-than-you-do". Not to mention the fakers and ass kissing haters.

Yeah, I know there will never be a perfect job but if I scout around for a decent environment, I think I will be content. So, there is the question. Which job offer has teh best environment?
(jeopardy theme playing in my head now...)

Well, that remains to be seen...but until I make that decision, I think I'll take a nap. :-)