Well the day came and went - there was no fanfare, there was no celebration, there was nothing at all.
I hit thirty years at my job.
I look back and think about the things I have been through in that time. When I started, I made $780 a month - you are reading that correctly - $780 a MONTH!! Doesn't even sound possible - that is less than $200 a week - that is less than $5 an hour. It was an ok rate of pay for that time. Now I make about five times that amount and do I live a whole lot better? Not really - I still have times that I struggle, I still want to over spend at times. I don't have little babies to support - so, I don't have to worry about them.
It's this crazy milestone you look forward to for years and years - as soon as you get even somewhat close. After you hit the fifteen year mile mark, you start to realize that you may be working there forever. You know you can't go anywhere and earn the kind of money you are earning where you are, you have accumulated enough seniority that you can't really just walk away from it, you are earning five weeks of vacation a year along with holidays and personal leave. You are under the age of 55, so you are going to get a real huge hit on your taxes if you leave. The economy sucks, so you can't even think of just walking away and getting another job - even though you know your dream job is out there waiting for you.
So what's the plan?? I stay where I am at. I force myself to take five weeks vacation for the next few years. I help a transition to a brand new building and a brand new office. I plan and work toward a smooth and easy transition to a combined office and make myself proud for the hard work I have already put in and the hard work it's going to take in the future. I continue to fight and argue and work to do it the RIGHT way and not the FAST way. I mentor some of the most awesome people I know and hope they know they are the future of something that is really great.
I hope I can be proud of what I accomplish in the next five or so years and I know I can be proud of those I work with, those that will be there when someone says, "you remember that one lady, I think he name was like Colleen or something like that.....".
I hit thirty years at my job.
I look back and think about the things I have been through in that time. When I started, I made $780 a month - you are reading that correctly - $780 a MONTH!! Doesn't even sound possible - that is less than $200 a week - that is less than $5 an hour. It was an ok rate of pay for that time. Now I make about five times that amount and do I live a whole lot better? Not really - I still have times that I struggle, I still want to over spend at times. I don't have little babies to support - so, I don't have to worry about them.It's this crazy milestone you look forward to for years and years - as soon as you get even somewhat close. After you hit the fifteen year mile mark, you start to realize that you may be working there forever. You know you can't go anywhere and earn the kind of money you are earning where you are, you have accumulated enough seniority that you can't really just walk away from it, you are earning five weeks of vacation a year along with holidays and personal leave. You are under the age of 55, so you are going to get a real huge hit on your taxes if you leave. The economy sucks, so you can't even think of just walking away and getting another job - even though you know your dream job is out there waiting for you.
So what's the plan?? I stay where I am at. I force myself to take five weeks vacation for the next few years. I help a transition to a brand new building and a brand new office. I plan and work toward a smooth and easy transition to a combined office and make myself proud for the hard work I have already put in and the hard work it's going to take in the future. I continue to fight and argue and work to do it the RIGHT way and not the FAST way. I mentor some of the most awesome people I know and hope they know they are the future of something that is really great.
I hope I can be proud of what I accomplish in the next five or so years and I know I can be proud of those I work with, those that will be there when someone says, "you remember that one lady, I think he name was like Colleen or something like that.....".
Why does this make me all sad?? I can't even picture a day when someone says I think her name was Colleen...I don't ever want that day to come!! I have 19 more years and I think you should have no problem sticking around for that long!
ReplyDeleteWeepy - I am weepy!!! But, think of this - there are quite a few people who have no idea who Patti is.
DeleteI remember Patti but I bet she doesn't remember me
DeleteI don't want to think of that!! It's so wrong!
ReplyDeleteOmg...i made 680 a month gross! I cant beleive we made it. I couldn't imagine a better person to spend my career with...and you aren't leaving before me!
ReplyDeleteThat was the sweetest thing to say in the land!! Thank you!!! I love working with you, too!!!! I say, let's go together!!!
DeleteCan I go too?? 30 years..WOW. Congrats to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nat
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