Saturday, November 12, 2005

A Change Can Do You Good

Yesterday, was a very busy day for me. I dropped off copies of the letter that I mentioned. It went well and we'll see how many calls I receive from the neighbors. I talked with the neighbor that was attacked and she is doing better.

Before heading home to do that, I made a big decision. I've worked nearly 12 years at my job at the same position. I have also always worked early shifts (7am-3pm and 8am-4pm.) But, it was in July of last year that I took some classes that would lead me to a new career. There are problems with the move:

  1. I wouldn't be paid at first and slowly paid more as I learn
  2. It also requires banker's hours (usually 9am-5pm)
  3. No benefits or insurance provided

Now, of course, those logically create issues. I took a step to helping with this a few months ago by applying for a HELOC (home equity line of credit) which I intend to have to help me through the tough early months. The hours would require a bit of a miracle as changing shifts is nearly impossible and the HELOC could actually put an big chunk of debt on my shoulders (as would buying insurance.) It was by luck that someone that quit had their shift up for bid. As people took shifts, one was left that was adjusted to a 5pm to 1am with Friday and Saturday off. I bit the bullet and took the shift. How this is going to mess up my sleeping habits, relationships with friends and girlfriend or work with the other job is pretty much unknown. I know that I'll be able to work both jobs for awhile if I really have to (which helps on the insurance and money issues.) Here's to hoping that I made a good decision.

8 comments:

Fred said...

OK, if I have it right, you'll be working from 9 am - 5pm in the new job, then 5 pm -1am in your current job?

Wow - best of luck. I hope it works out for you; it sounds like a very difficult schedule.

Martin said...

Well, actually, the newest job is very flexible in hours. I'd be working from home with some supervision early on but less and less as it goes. I'm expecting it to be more 8am to 4pm-ish but if I need to make adjustments, I have wiggle room. I'm sure sleep will happen sometime.

Bar L. said...

Sweetie, the mother in me is worried about you but the friend in me knows you are able to make good decisions on your own. I will pray that you don't get burned out. I hope your girlfriend can adjust.

LoraLoo said...

That sure sounds like it's going to be rough for awhile. I think it's great you want change badly enough to endure the risk for the ultimate success. I've always taken the safer road - so you definitely have my respect! Just remember to get some sleep so you don't run your health down, and take time to 'smell the roses'. The girlfriend will definitely appreciate that part. :)

Teri said...

I am glad you made this change in your life. I know things will be rough for a while, with the sleep and not seeing Kerry as much, but it will be worth it in the end. Lloyd and I worked opposite shifts most of our married life because of not wanting to put Josh in daycare when he was little. It was hard sometimes, but it was worth it in the end. This is also coming from someone who has worked full time, went to school almost full time and worked part time as a substitute teacher there for a while. Family and friends understood, and it was only temporary. I am so glad I did it though, because if not I would still be working in that casino.

Katie said...

Christ, you sure have a lot of motivation. I contemplate every day even going to my classes, which start at 2 pm. I hope that crazy ass schedule works out for you and you don't get burnt out too quick. But if you'd be doing something you love,then maybe it's worth it. Cheers to your decsion making.

Just to let you know, and maybe make you feel bad, realizing you started your job at 22 makes me realize I'll be 22 soon enough and have to get a real job when I graduate. Thank you for freaking me out.

BeckEye said...

Anything worth doing usually starts out difficult. Or so I'm telling myself. I just accepted a job in NYC with a PR firm. The money isn't great by NYC standards, but it's my foot in the door of an industry I have wanting to be involved with for years now. I'm adopting this new attitude of "walk with your eyes closed towards the edge of that cliff and see what happens". Because, as in cartoons, if you don't actually see that you're just standing on air, you won't fall.

Hmm, that was a pretty good analogy. I may have to reuse that for my blog!

Martin said...

I want to thank all of you for your support. It's going to be very interesting and the more that I think about it, the more I think I'm making the right move. B)