What would you guys say if I told you.....

[Trevor]

.... that I felt I'd achieved everything I wanted to in my present job and wanted to up sticks and move on to somewhere else?  23 years is a long time: I started here on December 1, 1989 and have achieved a lot in that time period ~ I have also achieved both a reputation and some notoriety in that time as well 

But..... I feel tired. I feel used, I feel used up, I feel burned out, I feel old. 

I may feel those ways, but I'm actually none of these four things, but I do need to see if there is still something out there for me to attain. After all, I've spent the last four decades proving my detractors wrong every single day, so the fire still burns in me, somewhere.

You are all my family: I would appreciate any advice, thoughts, anything at all. 

[Newt]

.... that I felt I'd achieved everything I wanted to in my present job

If this is truly the case, then I'd say moving on is well worth considering.

and wanted to up sticks and move on to somewhere else?  23 years is a long time: I started here on December 1, 1989 and have achieved a lot in that time period ~ I have also achieved both a reputation and some notoriety in that time as well 

This puts you in an ideal position to find employment elsewhere.

But..... I feel tired. I feel used, I feel used up, I feel burned out, I feel old. 

Feeling those things is no good.  I know.  Wouldn't hurt to examine where those feelings are coming from, though.

I may feel those ways, but I'm actually none of these four things, but I do need to see if there is still something out there for me to attain. After all, I've spent the last four decades proving my detractors wrong every single day, so the fire still burns in me, somewhere.

Good!  Also a factor that indicates you are in an ideal state to make a move to something more challenging and satisfying.

Trevor, my take on it is that once all practical considerations are taken into account the determing factors are personal.  What will make you happy?  For myself, looking back, I can say the opportunities missed and things not done/achieved are the hardest to live with later on when the time is past.  None of us would ever want to see you take risks that compromise your security, but sometimes you just have to go for it in order to know what you can do.  Whatever you decide, you have to be happy with how things pan out.

(I hope it does not sound like I just said a whole mouthful of nothing.  It's one of those subjects!    )

Good luck my friend.  Half the thrill of living is making the leaps!   

[Trevor]

Trevor, my take on it is that once all practical considerations are taken into account the determing factors are personal.  What will make you happy?  For myself, looking back, I can say the opportunities missed and things not done/achieved are the hardest to live with later on when the time is past.  None of us would ever want to see you take risks that compromise your security, but sometimes you just have to go for it in order to know what you can do.  Whatever you decide, you have to be happy with how things pan out.

(I hope it does not sound like I just said a whole mouthful of nothing.  It's one of those subjects!    )

Good luck my friend.  Half the thrill of living is making the leaps!   

Thanks, Newt *HUG* 

These feelings started to surface in July this year when I was screening films at the VryFees in Bloemfontein and had a day free to walk around www.mimosamall.co.za which is connected to the hotel I stayed at and the one that I got so sick at in 2008.     This mall was where I experienced two of my personal triumphs in 2007 and 2008 with the honouring of SA film pioneers and where the name of the archives was brought way into the limelight ~ the ceremonies were held in its' huge atrium at night, under a huge glass dome. Quite something.

Walking around the mall in 2011 and looking at the place where we held the ceremonies, I was jolted by the fact that time had passed since the last ceremony at which Dad was with me in spirit in 2008 and that it was time to move on and find something else to do. That hit me hard.

We're closing for the Christmas season soon so I will make my decision during that break: I have applied for other jobs, so I will see what happens. One thing is for sure, I will never retire from this site. 

[Newt]

We know you'll never leave us!

It's an emotional time of year, Trevor.  Wishing you clear thinking and all future happiness.

[Trevor]

We know you'll never leave us!

*Trevor slyly attempts to disconnect internet cable from PC: bangs head on desk* 

That will teach me. 

It's an emotional time of year, Trevor.  Wishing you clear thinking and all future happiness.

*HUG*

[AndyC]

Well, if you think you can do better, go for it. As long as you have some idea what you'd rather be doing and how to get there, it sounds like a good idea.

[trekgeezer]

What ever you do, make sure it makes you happy and remember that money alone isn't what makes a job satisfying. 

Especially remember that what ever you do you'll always have lots of support here. 

[The Burgomaster]

.... that I felt I'd achieved everything I wanted to in my present job and wanted to up sticks and move on to somewhere else?  23 years is a long time: I started here on December 1, 1989 and have achieved a lot in that time period ~ I have also achieved both a reputation and some notoriety in that time as well 

But..... I feel tired. I feel used, I feel used up, I feel burned out, I feel old. 

I may feel those ways, but I'm actually none of these four things, but I do need to see if there is still something out there for me to attain. After all, I've spent the last four decades proving my detractors wrong every single day, so the fire still burns in me, somewhere.

You are all my family: I would appreciate any advice, thoughts, anything at all. 

Go with what your heart tells you.  But I do think you have a really cool job!  I can't imagine 23 years in the same job.  My dad worked for the same company for something like 35 years.  I am quite different.  I have switched jobs 8 times over the past 20 years (although, I have been with the same company for 8 1/2 years, except for a short stint when I left for a few months, then came back).  I suspect I'll stay here for awhile.  Anyway, good luck and I'm sure you will be successful no matter what you pursue in life.

[Raffine]

Good luck, Trevor! I know you will make the decision best for you.

I left a comfortable job a couple of years ago I had for 17 years for many of the same reasons. It was very scary at first, but in retrospect I know it was definitely the right decision for me.

Any hints for us as to the new job?

[Flick James]

Well, if there's going to be big change in your life, it's best to make the change happen than let it happen TO you. Changes that happen to people tend to be bad. Changes that one initiates for oneself usually results in some kind of growth. Not necessarily financial, but personal for sure.

p.s. sooner or later Indy is going to post and tell you to take up arrowhead hunting. I just know it.

[The Burgomaster]

I can envision Trevor living on a yacht, surrounded by friends, calling himself "The Most Interesting Man in the World."  Sorry, Flick James . . .

[Raffine]

Well, if there's going to be big change in your life, it's best to make the change happen than let it happen TO you.

An excellent point, Flick.

When I left my old job things were dandy, but less than six months later the agency lost most of its funding. The staff was slashed from 70 to less than 20, everybody went to 'part time' status (which also meant losing most of their benefits, including health care), and salaries drastically cut. I had no idea this was coming and was greatly saddened by it, but I admit breathing a big mental sign of relied that I had left when I did.

It's a fact it is much easier to find new employment while still employed with a successful company than while unemployed or seemingly deserting a sinking ship.

[Flick James]

I can envision Trevor living on a yacht, surrounded by friends, calling himself "The Most Interesting Man in the World."  Sorry, Flick James . . .

As much as that hurts, Burgo, I can envision it too.

[Psycho Circus]

Damn, you all beat me to the good advice. Swines! 

Trevor, I'd move on to something new if you've become jaded with your current job and want a fresh challenge. The good thing is, that you are already employed and have barrel loads of experience so you can be choosy until the right position becomes available and you can weigh up all the options.

Love & luck buddy. 

[indianasmith]

When I was getting ready to leave a comfortable part time position I had held for 14 years, my boss at work gave me a great piece of advice:

When you spend more time looking back at what you have accomplished than looking forward to what you can accomplish, it's time to move on.