"getting a new job is easy. getting a new life is hard."

**Free Range Lobster** · 01-31-2007, 11:11 PM

Someone said this to me.
After I turned down a promotion today.

I would have lost a bunch of rides on race boats and lost a usual sailing day if I took the promotion for more money. Don't get me wrong, I like my 'other' job working on computers. It gives me play money on top of racing. But sailing is what I do. If I had to give up either money or sailing, it'd be money in a heartbeat.

I've been thinking about it all day and the title is right.

Why work so hard if you have to lose what you love?
Where does it get you? With deeper pockets? But if you can't do what you love then why bother? Whats the point?

"Success" isn't success if you can't enjoy it how YOU want to.

**MrZach** · 01-31-2007, 11:15 PM

Is this a statement of your confidence in the decision you made, an invitation to discuss the subjective qualities of success, or both?

**ICEHOCEY77** · 02-01-2007, 12:28 AM

I remember someone very wise saying something along the lines of this.

Basically those than choose something for the money usually end up regretting and hating the decision.

I really wish I had something more concrete, but I can find any reference for what I was talking about.

Maybe I made the whole thing up?

But in my opinion, I think you made the right decision.

**Blashyrkh** · 02-01-2007, 03:41 AM

I think you've chosen wisely. Sailing is where it's at and money has no value if you can't do what you really want to—it's hard to have regrets when you're out on the water.

I know my choice would be the same as yours. I'm sure that goes for many others on this board as well. If I had more money I'd probably spend it on sailing (or skis), but if I didn't have the time to sail (or ski)... what's the point?

People spend their whole lives working so they can sail when they retire.

You're living the life now. Why give it up for money?

"That does not make sense."

**BigDaddy** · 02-01-2007, 04:15 AM

I thought there was a lot of money in sailing?!...

or is it, "goes into sailing"?

**Free Range Lobster** · 02-01-2007, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

I thought there was a lot of money in sailing?!...

or is it, "goes into sailing"?

The people who own the boats have the money.
Blue blood, rIdiculously rich etc.

I guess free clothing and free beer is enough reward in itself along with the free trips to sail on the boats?

**peterslovo** · 02-01-2007, 08:58 AM

Kudos! Great decision!!!

**smmokan** · 02-01-2007, 09:06 AM

Yep, I don't think you'll get many naysayers on this board... everyone here would do the same thing, knowing the sacrifices I've seen by these guys to go skiing all the time.

As Will Ferrell once said... "Keep on keepin' on."

**snowsprite** · 02-01-2007, 09:11 AM

Work is way over-rated!

Sprite

**BeanDip4All** · 02-01-2007, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Free Range Lobster

and free beer is enough reward in itself

sweet, dude, you think they'll pay you in siiiIIIxxers??!

I think the more vexing question, which you have sofar failed to address, is "Which decision allows you to spend more quality time with your dog?"

**Free Range Lobster** · 02-01-2007, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by TacomaLuv

sweet, dude, you think they'll pay you in siiiIIIxxers??!

I think the more vexing question, which you have sofar failed to address, is "Which decision allows you to spend more quality time with your dog?"

Oh no, we don't deal in sixers. We deal in CASES.

And of course my decision allows me more monster time, would I have it any way else?!

**mnflyfish** · 02-01-2007, 09:44 AM

The older I get the more I agree with you. Yeah, money is great but not at the sacrifice of my family or passions. A very good friend of mine makes more money in a year than I'm likely tomake in a lifetime. But this requires him to travel to various Asian countries for 3 out of every four weeks. I see his daughter more than he does when she's skiing with my daughter. Heck, I'll be waxing her skis along with my daughter's for their race on Sat, he's in Singapore(sp/?). His "fun" money budget each month is my total budget, but I can't see how it's worth it if you miss your kids growing up. So YES you made the right choice.

Jay

**Free Range Lobster** · 02-01-2007, 09:49 AM

But the big question is, when does he actually get to spend his "fun" budget?

Like the title says, new job = easy, new life = hard.

**Tippster** · 02-01-2007, 10:52 AM

Pffft... Sellout.

**Aldo** · 02-01-2007, 10:54 AM

speaking of your job, has chat changed?

**Free Range Lobster** · 02-01-2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Aldo

speaking of your job, has chat changed?

http://www.ifeelhappy.com/chat is where we're at usually now.
The other chat is terrible.

BLOOD SWEAT STEEL · 02-01-2007, 11:34 AM

Money comes and goes. Life experiences are forever.

If I could get back all the money I've ever spent, I'd still "just" spend it. But - I wouldn't trade even one life experience I've ever had for all the tea in China.

You made the right choice. Hell - you didn't even have to think about it for very long, did you?

**lemon boy** · 02-01-2007, 01:00 PM

I went skiing this morning and....now I'm in my cube.

**Tippster** · 02-01-2007, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by BLOOD SWEAT STEEL

If I could get back all the money I've ever spent, I'd still "just" spend it. But - I wouldn't trade even one life experience I've ever had for all the tea in China.

Dude - some Chinese Green Tea goes for $25/lb..... I'd trade the "First IRS Audit" experience for that....

**P_McPoser** · 02-02-2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Free Range Lobster

Someone said this to me.
After I turned down a promotion today.

I would have lost a bunch of rides on race boats and lost a usual sailing day if I took the promotion for more money. Don't get me wrong, I like my 'other' job working on computers. It gives me play money on top of racing. But sailing is what I do. If I had to give up either money or sailing, it'd be money in a heartbeat.

I've been thinking about it all day and the title is right.

Why work so hard if you have to lose what you love?
Where does it get you? With deeper pockets? But if you can't do what you love then why bother? Whats the point?

"Success" isn't success if you can't enjoy it how YOU want to.

Good call. My move to colorado becomes pretty much a wash in take home pay (due to state taxes, which don't exist in NV), and looks like I might get close to paying 1.5 times as much for a much much smaller house. It was definately all about quality of life.

**Donkey Punch** · 02-02-2007, 11:52 AM

I got in a huge argument with my former boss just before I started my own company. He just went off on me for working 4 10's so that I could take three day weekends all the time to go the mountains and ride dirtbikes, hike, fish, whatever. He just didn't understand. The last thing I said to him was "George I work to live, I don't live to work." I don't know if I had read that somewhere else or if it just came to me but now everything I start to get stressed I just remember why I am working, and it gets my priorities all straightened out.

**Natedogg** · 02-05-2007, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

or is it, "goes into sailing"?

Having grown up in a sailing family, I will NEVER buy a big boat. NEVER.

**SKISC** · 02-05-2007, 09:12 AM

Money is a good thing, but not if it takes away the things you love in life. Family, hobbies, and sometimes even who you are.

You made the right decision.

**Spark** · 02-05-2007, 03:09 PM

I guess I lucked out with my work situation...knock on wood. I use to work so much more living in Toronto but I lucked out when I moved to Vancouver. I got a 40% pay increase, get ski wellness days, have learnt to be much more balanced, fully enjoy life and am so happy. That said, if I was to get a promotion, in a few years I'd rather move to a 4 day work week and ski, bike and travel more.

The one thing I wish I could do is clone my family and friends and bring them all to Vancouver. But I'm making some amazing friends slowly but surely!