Employment "problems"

[psyk0]

Hey people.

I have a thought that keeps going over and over in my head.
I've been sober for 4 and a half months now and things are going quite well. I have a job I really like but the thing is I don't make enough money there. I'm literally 14 eurocents above minimum wage, which kind of annoys me...
So I have an interview next week for a job in a different town which I'll probably get.

But now I'm really doubting. It's been a long time since I've had work that I like, and I'm afraid that if I take that other job I won't like it and won't go anymore (this is from my drinking days, if I didn't like the work I'd just quit going.. back then I had NO sense of responsibility whatsoever...)

So I have 2 options:

-Stay with this job I really like which is walking distance from my home...
-Take the risk and go for that new job in a different town and make 3 times as much money, with the risk I won't like it at all and (knowing me) probably won't go there anymore...

It feels as if I can't trust myself enough to make this decision by myself.
It's really bugging me.
Even though this is probably a bit of a "luxury problem" I'd still like to know your thoughts.

What would you advise me to do?

[KickStart]

Since this IS the AA forum, I would suggest; what has your sponsor said about all of this and have you begun praying about it. Also my program has taught me to work through the steps in a way that will help guild my thinking and remove ME from the situation so that I may listen to my sponsor.

I have a thought about employment and how I approach it. If you want to read about it continue, if not then stop reading now. lol

I can give anything 1 year of my time when talking about employment. Unless I am becoming financially bankrupt and my family is not being supported I will continue to give my employer 1 year of service, THEN I can make a decision to stay or go.

I would seriously run this by my sponsor. Life changes like employment should NOT be taken lightly during those first years of sobriety.

Hope this helps.

[tommyk]

"What would you advise me to do?"

Spend some time thanking God that you have this 'luxury problem'.

Three times your current salary? Kind of hard to pass up. Question: if things didn't work out at the new job would you be able to get another job similar to the one you have now? Maybe not the exact same job as now, but same pay scale?

[dgillz]

Option 3 - ask for a raise at your current job
Option 4 - do nothing

Option 4 is way under-rated IMHO. The point about no major changes in the first year is no where in the BB, but it is all over the rooms of AA, so there just may be something to it. Also the option of doing nothing in general is sometimes better than the option of doing "something". Sometimes it is OK to just wait. This is not Jeopardy with the music playing and time ticking down. You don't have to do anything.

[bballdad]

what do you really think you should do?

[Lily]

After the interview I would ask if there was any way you could "shadow" a person doing the job that you would be doing for maybe an afternoon or so? (perhaps after they have called you and want to hire you) Then not only would they know you were really interested in whether or not it was a fit, but then you wouldn't have to quit your other job and be stuck.

I did that at my last job and they were more than happy to allow me to do that. I went over there on my lunch break for a few days to "try it out" It was a fit! Plus, they told me they selected me based on my interest in the job. (I did ask I think before the interview)

Maybe you could try that??

blessings, Sheila

[laurie6781]

First talk to your Sponsor!!!

Then Pray about it.

Remember, no MAJOR CHANGES the first year, that includes Jobs (unless they are affecting our sobriety) Housing (unless the neighborhood is affecting our sobriety) Relationships (if we are in one, we stay, if we are not, we don't get into one, etc).

Only you know. You have had some excellent advice above, check it out further, to see if you would even 'like' the job.

Right now, your SOBRIETY, is the most IMPORTANT thing to be working on. Increasing your Financial future will come in time IF YOU STAY SOBER.

J M H O

Love and hugs,

[psyk0]

Thank you all so very much.

This really helped. I like what Kickstart said and I think I'm going to stay at my current employer for at least a year, and I really like the advice of not making any rash decisions within the first year of sobriety.
Lily's idea is good too, I think I'll ask whether it's ok for me to have a look at how the job is one afternoon or so. And then decide, although I think I'll stick with what I have for now.

The problem runs deeper though.

It's almost as if I want things to go faster, now that I'm sober and even ABLE to work I sometimes feel that I should get a better job to compensate for all those wasted years.
It doesn't work that way, I know.
Self-pity still gets a hold on me sometimes, and then I fell it's "unfair" that I should have to work so hard for so little money.
But then again, like tommyk said, I should be grateful to even be able to work now. 5 months ago this would have been unthinkable.
And I am grateful. Very.
Isn't it just great being sober!

Thank you all for posting. Love this forum and the interaction it brings.

[Tazman53]

It's almost as if I want things to go faster, now that I'm sober and even ABLE to work I sometimes feel that I should get a better job to compensate for all those wasted years.

Very normal feelings, I wanted 20 years of sobriety after 1 month sober. I like what Laurie says, the only thing I would change is to pray first, then talk to your sponsor and pray some more!!!! LOL Just stay focused on your sobriety no matter what......... Remind your self that "I would not have this "problem" if I was not sober!" More then likely you wouldn't have a job!

[RufusACanal]

What does your Sponsor think about this and what was God's answer? Rome was not built in a day.