MAJOR career crossroads
Discussion
Hi all,
Im in a bit of a predicament and need some advice. I am 100% not a worrier but this has been giving me sleepless nights for a couple of months now.
Basically I am at a major career crossroad.
I have spent the last 13 years in the NHS with the ultimate goal of becoming a consultant (my dream job). I have been offered such a job which, if I accept, will start in March 2017. With this job will come;
- More stress
- More hours
- More job satisfaction - This job will give me real motivation to get up on a morning. Leading (different from managing) approx 60 members of staff I will be able to create my own vision for the future of my department.
- Kudos (its always nice to be recongised that we have got to the pinnacle of our career)
- Less time with family
- Less flexibility.
Alternatively I stay with my current employer, as a senior member of staff (but not consultant). From January my contract is (voluntarily) reducing to 2 days a week, and I currently run my own business 2 days a week (my business is related to medicine). My business work is extremely boring but pays very well (6 figures) and affords me ultimate flexibility - I choose which days and times I work; at the minute I often start work at 5am and am home by 2pm (which almost feels like I've had the day off).
I am getting married in a few months and we will likely be trying for a baby next year. I dont want to spend all my time at work and really do want to be a 'hands on' dad.
So, which so I choose?
To summarise
Consultant job + 1 day a week running my business
- Working 5 days a week
- Loads of job satisfaction
- Loads of freedom to create my own vision for the future
- All the stress that comes with the above
- Most days will be exciting and interesting
- Good money (£80-90k)
- Less time with family and (future) kids
Current job 2 days a week + 2 days with my business
- Work 4 days a week (2 of those I am home by early afternoon)
- Much less job satisfaction
- Not really any scope to change my dept
- Almost no stress
- Most days will be boring or average at best
- Extremely good money (£140-160k)
- Brilliant flexibility to work the days and time I want
Basically, do I go for the dull-as-dishwater job, but ultimately work less hours, with less stress and more money, or vice versa? If I stay with my current job I will realistically pay my mortgage off in 5 years and could then work as little or as much as I like.
Many thanks.
Im in a bit of a predicament and need some advice. I am 100% not a worrier but this has been giving me sleepless nights for a couple of months now.
Basically I am at a major career crossroad.
I have spent the last 13 years in the NHS with the ultimate goal of becoming a consultant (my dream job). I have been offered such a job which, if I accept, will start in March 2017. With this job will come;
- More stress
- More hours
- More job satisfaction - This job will give me real motivation to get up on a morning. Leading (different from managing) approx 60 members of staff I will be able to create my own vision for the future of my department.
- Kudos (its always nice to be recongised that we have got to the pinnacle of our career)
- Less time with family
- Less flexibility.
Alternatively I stay with my current employer, as a senior member of staff (but not consultant). From January my contract is (voluntarily) reducing to 2 days a week, and I currently run my own business 2 days a week (my business is related to medicine). My business work is extremely boring but pays very well (6 figures) and affords me ultimate flexibility - I choose which days and times I work; at the minute I often start work at 5am and am home by 2pm (which almost feels like I've had the day off).
I am getting married in a few months and we will likely be trying for a baby next year. I dont want to spend all my time at work and really do want to be a 'hands on' dad.
So, which so I choose?
To summarise
Consultant job + 1 day a week running my business
- Working 5 days a week
- Loads of job satisfaction
- Loads of freedom to create my own vision for the future
- All the stress that comes with the above
- Most days will be exciting and interesting
- Good money (£80-90k)
- Less time with family and (future) kids
Current job 2 days a week + 2 days with my business
- Work 4 days a week (2 of those I am home by early afternoon)
- Much less job satisfaction
- Not really any scope to change my dept
- Almost no stress
- Most days will be boring or average at best
- Extremely good money (£140-160k)
- Brilliant flexibility to work the days and time I want
Basically, do I go for the dull-as-dishwater job, but ultimately work less hours, with less stress and more money, or vice versa? If I stay with my current job I will realistically pay my mortgage off in 5 years and could then work as little or as much as I like.
Many thanks.
JapanRed said:
Hi all,
Im in a bit of a predicament and need some advice. I am 100% not a worrier but this has been giving me sleepless nights for a couple of months now.
Basically I am at a major career crossroad.
I have spent the last 13 years in the NHS with the ultimate goal of becoming a consultant (my dream job). I have been offered such a job which, if I accept, will start in March 2017. With this job will come;
- More stress
- More hours
- More job satisfaction - This job will give me real motivation to get up on a morning. Leading (different from managing) approx 60 members of staff I will be able to create my own vision for the future of my department.
- Kudos (its always nice to be recongised that we have got to the pinnacle of our career)
- Less time with family
- Less flexibility.
Alternatively I stay with my current employer, as a senior member of staff (but not consultant). From January my contract is (voluntarily) reducing to 2 days a week, and I currently run my own business 2 days a week (my business is related to medicine). My business work is extremely boring but pays very well (6 figures) and affords me ultimate flexibility - I choose which days and times I work; at the minute I often start work at 5am and am home by 2pm (which almost feels like I've had the day off).
I am getting married in a few months and we will likely be trying for a baby next year. I dont want to spend all my time at work and really do want to be a 'hands on' dad.
So, which so I choose?
To summarise
Consultant job + 1 day a week running my business
- Working 5 days a week
- Loads of job satisfaction
- Loads of freedom to create my own vision for the future
- All the stress that comes with the above
- Most days will be exciting and interesting
- Good money (£80-90k)
- Less time with family and (future) kids
Current job 2 days a week + 2 days with my business
- Work 4 days a week (2 of those I am home by early afternoon)
- Much less job satisfaction
- Not really any scope to change my dept
- Almost no stress
- Most days will be boring or average at best
- Extremely good money (£140-160k)
- Brilliant flexibility to work the days and time I want
Basically, do I go for the dull-as-dishwater job, but ultimately work less hours, with less stress and more money, or vice versa? If I stay with my current job I will realistically pay my mortgage off in 5 years and could then work as little or as much as I like.
Many thanks.
Great position to be in... I personally would go for the second option as it is lower stressed and higher paid. Find your 'satisfaction' through other areas, hobbies, clubs, exercise whatever.Im in a bit of a predicament and need some advice. I am 100% not a worrier but this has been giving me sleepless nights for a couple of months now.
Basically I am at a major career crossroad.
I have spent the last 13 years in the NHS with the ultimate goal of becoming a consultant (my dream job). I have been offered such a job which, if I accept, will start in March 2017. With this job will come;
- More stress
- More hours
- More job satisfaction - This job will give me real motivation to get up on a morning. Leading (different from managing) approx 60 members of staff I will be able to create my own vision for the future of my department.
- Kudos (its always nice to be recongised that we have got to the pinnacle of our career)
- Less time with family
- Less flexibility.
Alternatively I stay with my current employer, as a senior member of staff (but not consultant). From January my contract is (voluntarily) reducing to 2 days a week, and I currently run my own business 2 days a week (my business is related to medicine). My business work is extremely boring but pays very well (6 figures) and affords me ultimate flexibility - I choose which days and times I work; at the minute I often start work at 5am and am home by 2pm (which almost feels like I've had the day off).
I am getting married in a few months and we will likely be trying for a baby next year. I dont want to spend all my time at work and really do want to be a 'hands on' dad.
So, which so I choose?
To summarise
Consultant job + 1 day a week running my business
- Working 5 days a week
- Loads of job satisfaction
- Loads of freedom to create my own vision for the future
- All the stress that comes with the above
- Most days will be exciting and interesting
- Good money (£80-90k)
- Less time with family and (future) kids
Current job 2 days a week + 2 days with my business
- Work 4 days a week (2 of those I am home by early afternoon)
- Much less job satisfaction
- Not really any scope to change my dept
- Almost no stress
- Most days will be boring or average at best
- Extremely good money (£140-160k)
- Brilliant flexibility to work the days and time I want
Basically, do I go for the dull-as-dishwater job, but ultimately work less hours, with less stress and more money, or vice versa? If I stay with my current job I will realistically pay my mortgage off in 5 years and could then work as little or as much as I like.
Many thanks.
More stress and less money will remove the job satisfaction over a very short period of time.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Do you work to live, or live to work? Therein lies your answer.
Personally - family is no 1. every time.
You will be shocked and amazed at how much a mini-me will change your life. They are only little once, and you will only have one chance to make/share those experiences.
Personally - family is no 1. every time.
You will be shocked and amazed at how much a mini-me will change your life. They are only little once, and you will only have one chance to make/share those experiences.
My wife currently works a shift pattern of four on-four off and workdays she doesn't see the kids. After only four days she is amazed at how much they have developed and changed
I think you'll regret the lost time with your kids and family in the long run and without wishing to sound cheesy, money cannot replace those experiences and moments.
Option 2 for definite. It will give you more time with your family in the shorter term and all the free time you want in the future, both of which are good things. That beats the extra job satisfaction and kudos of the consultancy position IMO.
Also earning £80-90k is fine but won't go all that far in the grand scheme of things, whereas an extra £60-70k will give you a decent standard of living. You say that you'd be able to pay off your mortgage in five years, but don't be surprised if you start thinking about buying a bigger house or a holiday home. That's how it often works...
Also earning £80-90k is fine but won't go all that far in the grand scheme of things, whereas an extra £60-70k will give you a decent standard of living. You say that you'd be able to pay off your mortgage in five years, but don't be surprised if you start thinking about buying a bigger house or a holiday home. That's how it often works...
Consultant in which speciality? I'm a bit curious about which specialities allow entrepreneurial trainees to pursue lucrative business opportunities which haven't already been spotted and delivered by more experienced and technically capable senior doctors.
You might be underestimating how overwhelming and stressful a consultant post can be compared to the role of senior trainee. The technical demands might be similar but the difference in responsibility is huge. Have you taken into account the on call commitments and other demands which are expected of a senior leadership role?
Your idea of what a consultants job will be like sounds a bit rose tinted. You are much more likely to shape and lead what you do within your own business than you could ever do in the NHS
Consultant appointments in the NHS are controlled by statute and by competitive interview - you seem very certain of the outcome.
You might be underestimating how overwhelming and stressful a consultant post can be compared to the role of senior trainee. The technical demands might be similar but the difference in responsibility is huge. Have you taken into account the on call commitments and other demands which are expected of a senior leadership role?
Your idea of what a consultants job will be like sounds a bit rose tinted. You are much more likely to shape and lead what you do within your own business than you could ever do in the NHS
Consultant appointments in the NHS are controlled by statute and by competitive interview - you seem very certain of the outcome.
Edited by oddman on Tuesday 4th October 19:18
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Do you work to live, or live to work? Therein lies your answer.
Personally - family is no 1. every time.
You will be shocked and amazed at how much a mini-me will change your life. They are only little once, and you will only have one chance to make/share those experiences.
Well put and quite right, at least in my experience.Personally - family is no 1. every time.
You will be shocked and amazed at how much a mini-me will change your life. They are only little once, and you will only have one chance to make/share those experiences.
Option 2, total no brainer. Build up your business so that someone else can run it or else give yourself a target to improve your methods so that it only takes 1 day a week of your time. This gives you 4 days a week to enjoy your life and family and enough cash and free time to start up something which is more enjoyable long term
Thanks for all your replies, it really is much appreciated..
Literally everyone Ive spoken to has said the same as all you are saying.
Oddman - I dont really want to go into this too much (sorry I know it seems like I'm dangling a fish). My business venture had already been undertaken by more senior (consultant) colleagues but I am now in a funny old predicament where my business is now the second largest in its speciality the UK. I wouldnt do any oncall in this consultant role and Ive already had the interview and been offered the consultant job.
Literally everyone Ive spoken to has said the same as all you are saying.
Oddman - I dont really want to go into this too much (sorry I know it seems like I'm dangling a fish). My business venture had already been undertaken by more senior (consultant) colleagues but I am now in a funny old predicament where my business is now the second largest in its speciality the UK. I wouldnt do any oncall in this consultant role and Ive already had the interview and been offered the consultant job.
Countdown said:
More money, less stress, and more time with the family vs. more job satisfaction ? 
Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
I understand it - it stems from the previous ambition.Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
Life changes, just takes a while to reset our internal goals.
A while ago I was tempted to move companies. Bit more money, all the right noises, but a specific job grade that I had always wanted. My ego got in the way of that conversation, and I had to give myself a stiff talking to... which was right in hindsight as they canned the division 3 months later...
Countdown said:
More money, less stress, and more time with the family vs. more job satisfaction ?
Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
Because its something Ive worked towards for 13 years. Ive put in more extra hours and worked harder than anyone else I know with 1 goal in mind - consultancy.Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
Two years ago I wouldve snapped your hand of for a consultant job, but since then my business has literally exploded with jobs coming in from outside the UK and Europe. All of a sudden Im about to turn the one thing down that Ive worked towards.
JapanRed said:
Countdown said:
More money, less stress, and more time with the family vs. more job satisfaction ?
Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
Because its something Ive worked towards for 13 years. Ive put in more extra hours and worked harder than anyone else I know with 1 goal in mind - consultancy.Not really sure why you're asking to be honest ....
Two years ago I wouldve snapped your hand of for a consultant job, but since then my business has literally exploded with jobs coming in from outside the UK and Europe. All of a sudden Im about to turn the one thing down that Ive worked towards.
Is this a one way street?
Vaud said:
Is it "turn it down" or "grab another opportunity now and return to this one in the future - if it's right"
Is this a one way street?
Its a one way street I think - Last year 2 or maybe 3 consultant jobs came up in my speciality in the whole of the UK, so for one to come up thats 20 miles from my house is pretty much unheard of.Is this a one way street?
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