Family & Relationships Changing Jobs

[The Sultan]

in lieu of the "whats all this work crap all about" thread, just wondering if anyone as made career changes and the results.

I worked at one of the Big4 banks in foreign exchange for ten years, so it was full-on regular 9-10 hours days, add to that an hours commute each way, no public holidays off (the FX market is always open somewhere), and eventually i was burned out. So after a long discussion with my wife one weekend, I finally had enough and quit

I had my long service so I knew I had bit of time up my sleeve to work out what i wanted to do, i had a few interview and banks and financial institutions a bit closer to home, to no avail. I thought it was the travel that was killing me so I thought if i was closer to home it would be better. anyway whilst I was applying for jobs etc I was working in a warehouse on a causal basis, I found that I really enjoyed it. So when a full time position came up for a fork lift driver, I got my license and applied, they were a bit surprised considering my experience and back ground but i told them why i was doing it and bingo got the job.

now six months later I have lost weight, feel and sleep a shit load better, also I work fro 6am to 2pm, so i am home by 2.30ish which give me enough time to give the missus a quick one before i jump in the shower and go pick the kids ups from school. the money is considerably less but in the end i dont really care, im happier the missus is much much happier , and most of all the kids are happier that im home alot more.

we are planning a trip (leave in May) around Australia in a caravan with the kids for 8 months, so will have to quit my job soon, not sure what i'll do when i get back, i'll work it out when that comes, but I dont think i will ever go back to working in the city again to much stress and drama, and too many w***ers.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Haven't done the changing jobs thing, but did the drive around Australia with the kids two years ago (only had three months), was the greatest thing we've ever done.

 

[Dan Moody]

Lol, to the OP, my situation is almost exactly opposite.
I'm with a big4 as a bank manager, huge days but also huge pays. I keep myself active in my spare time so that work doesn't occupy my whole life.
Good luck to you, glad you've found what makes you happy

 

[SugarShane]

I've changed full time jobs twice, once by choice. The first time was when the independant phone store i was working in had to close down, thanks to the pressure that the big boys like Telstra and Allphones were putting on. In our town it was too much too handle.
Then i started an office job (which i thought would be ace), but where my manager turned out to be an absolute crazy bitch. She was absolutely in love with my superior (also a woman) who could never do anything wrong. I got roasted over the coals when i screwed up, and when she screwed up, well somehow it became my fault.
The environment was sapping me mentally, so i decided to pack it in. Big move on my part considering i had nothing else lined up. Luckily i fell ass backwards into my current job which is the best i've had.

 

[nicky]

What a feelgood OP, thanks for posting.

It's warming to read someone is mindful of their happiness and place a higher importance on that over money. I think that's rare so good for you