v2drinkers

OK everyone.
I have just been told today that I am being made redundant - don't worry I'm not after sympathy - I have a very nice settlement.

What I'm after is a change in career - I'm nearly 40 Married with 2 girls (both are at the age they should be leaving home!) - I have a licence for every type of vehicle you can legally drive on the roads over here - but for the last 10 years have had a nice managerial role in a Parcel Delivery Firm here.

So I could

1) Go Bus driving
2) Go Articulated vehicle driving
3) Look for another managerial job - (I aint your typical manager - I worked my way up from the ground floor and have never been a company man - just a general worker who uses commonsense to get things happening.

I don't really want to do option 1 - Its a bloody horrible job (Over here at least)

Option 2 is a huge possibility but obviously a step backwards

Option 3 Is something that I have never realy felt suited me as I like to speak my mind as much as possible - Something I have had to learn to curtail

So really what I'm looking for is Option 4 - Only problem is I haven't a clue at the moment what that is.

So please throw some ideas at me - I wont laugh at any suggestions - however ludicrious.

Thanks for looking

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rob1303

v2drinkers

If you are not happy with any of your choices see if you can find a copy of this book (I know it is in the UK) What Colour is Your Parachute (and I suppose to begin with - do a search on Google )

It is a book that works through your skills abd then your preferences in a number of areas such as: your goals/ your values/ company types/ social types etc etc.

It then gives you tools to be able to put those into a structured framework. You will find that in lots of areas it only reinforces what you already, but each time I go through it I gain an additional insight.

It takes about TWO full days to work through it (properly - with you actually thinking about the answers rather than just skipping things).

At the end of those two days you really will have a much better idea of what you want to do AND how to achieve it. :approve:

Good luck.

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v2drinkers

Thanks Rob

I've just ordered that from amazon here - some good reviews on their site but your words good enough for me - I guess I'm in a very lucky position at the moment as I can now afford to think about this for the next few months - This is a decision I'm not going to rush into.

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Chrissss

Probably the most important decision is what do YOU WANT to do?

Look at your interests and hobbies. If you can find a position working with a firm that coincides with hobbies, you'll never work another day in your life...it'll be fun instead of work.

As an example, my father 'retired' early many years ago as a Store General Manager for a major Canadian retailer. After several years he decided to go back to work. I had gotten him interested in computers and he had created an extensive network of 'computer buddies'. One of them owned a computer store, so my father went to work for him.

He learned more about his hobby, got lots of free/cheap parts and software to help support his hobby, and had fun at it.

He finally retired at 65 a couple years ago.

Chris...

rob1303

Originally Posted by v2drinkers

Thanks Rob I've just ordered that from amazon here - some good reviews on their site but your words good enough for me - I guess I'm in a very lucky position at the moment as I can now afford to think about this for the next few months - This is a decision I'm not going to rush into.

I for one think you are are in a GREAT position.

I also agree with Chrisssss.. (after which 's' does the apostrophe go? ) reply.

The book works on the basis that the things you enjoy and feel comfortable doing are those that you will excel in. If I was going to give one bit of advice about following this book it is this:

"Go through the exercises with a free and open mind"


I don't think I really did that until my THIRD time of 'doing' it - don't worry it is not new age or anything .

What I mean by that is that although you have a wife and children it works best when you forget that when completing the exercises included (they will automatically come out by the type of answers you give anyway).

What you come out with at the end if you do this is YOU and by altering the answers throughout the excercises to what is 'expected of you' it won't be.

Don't forget that you can then work WITH the findings AFTERWARDS to make it fit in with the commitments you, undoubtably, have.

Let us (or at least me :) ) know how you get on :approve: As I said GOOD LUCK :)

(BTW - I am someone who started in electrical engineering, became a chartered accountant and is NOW working out that I should have been a teacher )
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v2drinkers

Yes I tend to agree with you that I am in a great position - I've felt out of phase with higher management for the last 2 years with the company going through many major changes and seemingly having no focus on reaching the target of customer quality and profit - (So far they have made more see saw decisions than I dare to remember)
Thats why when the opertunity of voluntary redundancy came up I jumped - I'm not at all worried about the future and am financialy secure enough to be able to take a nice break whilst I decide what I wish to do with my life
At the moment I'm leaning towards a job without too much pressure - I've had enough in the last few years to last me a lifetime - Money is not a major influence on this decision as weve paid off the mortgage and like I said the girls will be moving out soon (Hopefully!!! LOL)
But I'm not planning to make any life changing decisions at least until after Xmas due to having to work up until then - And even then I plan to have at least 2 months off and try to get back in touch with the important things in life.

Will keep you informed when I make a decision Rob

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M82A1A

To quote from Office Space: "What would you do if you had $1 million?" Whatever that answer is, give that a try!

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- Phil
Proud Axim owner since May 2003

v2drinkers

Originally Posted by M82A1A

To quote from Office Space: "What would you do if you had $1 million?" Whatever that answer is, give that a try!

Well - If I had $1 Million - I'd move to the states ( leaving the missus at home - LOL ) and do whatever is necessary there!! - But Ahhhhh Pipe dreams

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HardOnReset

Watch American Beauty

HardOnReset :approve:

DavidLennartz

There is always a need for teachers who can bring practicality and experience into the classroom to balance out the more strictly academic content usually (and of necessity) presented to students

Perhaps something in the area of teaching or counseling??? (Just an idea...don't shoot the messenger???)

wmrawls

If you have the ability to go to school you should give that a thought. Since your in England I don't know about opportunities and availability but I would think about trying to get educated into some thing that you might like better and be happy with as a long time change of life. One thing that can never be taken form you is education.
Best wishes and good luck

Littlesigh

Give up your desires and expectations refuse to think about right and wrong they are just conceptualizations of the mind. Kiss the girls goodbye and leave for Tibet. Go into retreat for 3 years not speaking to anyone except the one inside. Give up your attachments, including the one to life and accept the death that WILL come, then you can truley live.

But if you don't feel like doing that then the only answer I have is the one that I made...START DRINKING HEAVELY :approve: .....after 10 or 15 years you will come to the realization that you should have done what is above....one way or another the suffering must stop its your choice.

But truley...If going to America is what you would do if money were not a problem...then you should go..go go go go go go go and never look back.

v2drinkers

Originally Posted by HardOnReset

Watch American Beauty HardOnReset :approve:

LOL

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v2drinkers

Originally Posted by Littlesigh

But truley...If going to America is what you would do if money were not a problem...then you should go..go go go go go go go and never look back.

I would move to the states - BUT - and it is a big but - Rach - My wife - is not prepared to contemplate this. I know as I have looked into this - + from what I have found out about this subject to be allowed to stay We'd have to invest over $100K into a company - the problem is I'd want to know a lot more about any company before I did that to be sure it was a viable company.

The main problem is Rach though - she wont leave her family.

I have been considering the going back to school option though - Am considering the possibility of something like computer engineering - or even digital design - (I had a contract for 6 months when I left college doing digital mapping)

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Littlesigh

Hey you know I made a bad mistake when I read your orignal post ...which I just went back and read....

I thought you were dumped by your wife....lol sorry bout that....of course you may now understand my answer better from the standpoint of being asked for a divorce (me).

In that case I agree with some of the other posts... TEACH!

I am 47...remarried...Meteorologist...getting a new degree in Psychology ...(because I like it) and hope to start teaching at some point.

So look into teaching and give back some of the knowledge you have gained....might sound corny but like the movie..."Pay it Forward" ...give back what you have... :approve:

Sorry bout the mixup