November 6, 2007

What are your trade-offs?

I have an easy job. Stress-free, flexible schedule, good benefits. This works well with my kids. I don't think about work when I leave and I can work from home when I need to. Piece of cake! But, as with anything good in life, there are trade-offs. My company is the opposite of progessive. Senior management makes decisions based on what color underwear they have on that day. Stress-free translates to minimal challenges and zero creativity. My department gets no respect. My commute sucks - up to an hour. But, at an odd times of the day and in the summer when everyone is on vacation, it's a quick 35 minutes (not so bad). I'm pretty confident this job is doing nothing to advance my career. I've been here over a year, now I'm getting the itch to move on. My quandry is this: I might find a creatively challenging, fun environment to work in, but it'll be stressful and I'll have to work late. The money will be great and it will be closer, but the benefits will suck. Trade-offs!