Choosing More Than Just a Job

So as my monstrously long last post explained, I have lots and lots of work I am doing in order to make wise, informed decisions in this next job search and in life. This transition period seems very important because of this work and the time it allows me to digest and sift through it all. There is, however, another big factor weighing in during this career quest that is keeping me cautious and keyed into how I’m going about making decisions: LOCATION.

I’ve always been open to moving to new locations for work – I’ve done small town USA, suburbia, big city, bigger city and sailing vessels. I’ve lived very close to or in most of the major cities in the Northeast – DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and NYC. All have been great adventures and I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve ever lived. However, after many moves and travels around the world I realize that I’m not 23 anymore and I don’t really want my life to be in a temporary or flux state indefinitely. While I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve ever lived, similar to the jobs I’ve held, there has always been some big chunk that has led me to say, “Well, this place is good – for now.”

While I was in NYC it hit me that I was approaching my 35th birthday and I’m still saying, “This is fine….for now” every time I move. How will I ever be happy anywhere longer term if my attitude is that this is just ok for now? When will I stop saying this is only good for now but never more than a couple years? When am I going start pursuing some of the things I want to do and have in my life outside of my career? I realize that the answer to these questions is simple – I just have to choose to do them and make them a priority in my life – equal priority to finding the right job. That’s the tough part – career decisions are easy to make a priority – so much of our identity, financial well being, pride, and time are linked with the jobs we hold. The other parts of life are easier to minimize, delay, sacrifice, put off, or de-prioritize. Well no more! All of those things – both big and little, external and visible as well as internal and personal are going to be major parts of the equation this time around.

If I want to have an outdoor space – I need to not settle for a place that doesn’t have that. If I want a pet – I have to only look at places that allow pets and I need to make sure I have a job that doesn’t have me working 50+ hours a week. Priorities. In the past I have sacrificed many of the things I want in my life because, “this will just be a steppingstone”, “this apartment is too good to pass up”, “this is the practical thing to do at this time”. I could go on and on with the rationales I come up with to sacrifice or delay the small things in life that I want.

So this career quest is more than just about selecting my next job or possibly switching career focuses. This career quest is including all parts of my life – both personal and professional. I want to make well informed, intentional, freely chosen decisions about my location as well as my career. So on that front my goal is to move somewhere and say “This place is good – period”.