Today I passed on the opportunity to be promoted to district manager at work. To be accurate, I passed on the invitation to go through the interview process. I didn't even apply for this position because I thought someone else was going to get it due to some shifting and realigning. But I learned I was their primary person of interest, and I know I would have gotten the job because I'm qualified and ready and can prove how I would be successful in it.
And you're probably wondering why on earth I would pass on this. Drum corps. Yep, it's true. Taking the position would require me to move several states away, and I wouldn't be able to march drum corps because I'd be too busy learning my new role and learning a new city/state.
So I gave up a career opportunity to be able to pursue another passion. I let it pass by so that I can create a better work/life balance here and now. This is very unlike me. I am always the one to grab every opportunity at work. I knew this position was open, and I honestly kind of thought I'd be asked to go for it. And as I was thinking about this last night, I almost cried alone to myself because I didn't want to give up my drum corps just yet to take that position...not when I've just found my music and marching passion again.
I feel ok about my decision, but am wondering if I'll regret it later. On the flip side, I know I'd have VERY bittersweet feelings if I had said yes.
What would you have done? What are your thoughts? Was this a smart decision or no?
11 comments:
Always work to live , never live to work ,your social life should always be a major factor in decisions or you end up with nothing but work
I don't think you'll really regret it because in your post, you sound so happy to have something you love that has nothing to do with work. You're awesome at work, and as long as you stay awesome, there'll be another promotion in the future that you may or may not take. alex is right, you need something just for you, or there's no point in doing anything else.
jilly
You have a good job, you make a decent living, you challenge yourself regularly- you didn't need a new position to do any of those things.
I think it is truly wonderful that you put a different part of yourself first, and embraced something you feel passionate about. You are already having new experiences and meeting new people, you don't need a new job for that either.
There is nothing to regret.
Our daughter changed her career path when she was displaced from her finance job. She's now a pet nurse (think vet. tech) and loves it-she's a fool for puppies and cats and sounds much happier with her work than I've heard in a long time. I've told her she's the best educated pet nurse in the state of Alabama and she just laughs like a loon.
I say do what makes you happiest-the job promotions will come.
Fun is the best thing about life. Which means if more pay and no Drum Corps sounded like fun, then you made the wrong choice.
If you come to find out later that the better, higher paying job in a new city/state would have meant a better Drum Corps opportunity, with not only bras only rehearsals, but actual bras only presentations, then maybe you will have a basis for regret.
But it sounds like when you're on your death bed and the Drum Corps are surrounding you, encouraging you to give them one more toot, I doubt that you'll be all bitter that you didn't spend more time at the office.
I would advise you to follow your heart on this one, and it sounds like you are. Rock on, drum corps girl. You know I'd do the same thing.
If it's going to make you happier in the long run to stay where you are and keep on drummin', then I'd say you did the right thing. You can always go for the promotion later, but right now you like where you are in your life and what you are doing :)
Only you know whether it was the right choice.
For me, it would depend on where they were making me move. Might be that there'd be a breaking in period but life would be better in the long run cuz you'd have more time and money (or same amount of time and more money) and overall better quality of life.
Might be that you'd hate it and want to go back and that opportunity would be lost cuz someone else replaced you.
Speaking of big decisions, I decided to tell the following limerick to someone in public today whom I do not know (but said something about liking Gin).
Did I do right?
There once was a man named Sweeny
Who spilt some Gin on his weenie
Just to be couth, he added vermouth
And offered up his martini.
I'm a haiku fanatic, not a limerick judge, so it looks ok by me.
You did the right thing!
The one regret I sometimes have about my own DM position is that I can't take part in certain social activities or take classes on specific nights.
Post a Comment