Achieving Pistonheads greatness. Shouldn't I be content?
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm throwing myself to the collective wisdom of the Pistonheads massive for help with my next career step
I've done everything that the great Pistonheads god's have asked of me - a powerfully built company director of a £500m turnover business at the age of 35. Two daily drivers for a combined 800bhp, and a weekend toy Exige V6 and of course the obligatory salary in excess of £100k
I'm proud of what I've achieved, but Christ I'm bored. So so bored. I struggle on a daily basis to answer my work mobile, or even open my office door, which builds into a bit of a guilt cycle in terms of getting paid a decent amount to put the minimum of effort in, whilst I know others struggle to earn a crust.
I've worked in the current company for 7 years and do need a change, but the thought of doing a similar job elsewhere fills me with equal lack of motivation - to the point where I ignore calls from recruitment consultants as I just don't have the desire to talk to them to do more of the same.
Everything else in my life is good with a happy home life. In fact my previous relationship was so bad I put everything into my work - now I'm happier outside it's actually called into question what I'm actually getting out of work.
I have a strong learning to do my own thing - to set up my own consultancy, and genuinely feel excited when I think about it.
The answer sounds obvious as I write this - do your own bloody thing - you've answered your own question, but I can't shake the notion that I should just shut the hell up and be grateful for what I have, rather than take a massive risk which could put in jeopardy everything I have previously worked for. Work pays for the toys and the life outside. It's easier to say 'grudge it out' in the day, than it is to actually do it.
I would struggle to get another job in the industry and location I am in, which adds another lens to the decision making.
Any thoughts welcome, or anyone that has been in a similar position would be great to get their views
Many thanks
I'm throwing myself to the collective wisdom of the Pistonheads massive for help with my next career step
I've done everything that the great Pistonheads god's have asked of me - a powerfully built company director of a £500m turnover business at the age of 35. Two daily drivers for a combined 800bhp, and a weekend toy Exige V6 and of course the obligatory salary in excess of £100k
I'm proud of what I've achieved, but Christ I'm bored. So so bored. I struggle on a daily basis to answer my work mobile, or even open my office door, which builds into a bit of a guilt cycle in terms of getting paid a decent amount to put the minimum of effort in, whilst I know others struggle to earn a crust.
I've worked in the current company for 7 years and do need a change, but the thought of doing a similar job elsewhere fills me with equal lack of motivation - to the point where I ignore calls from recruitment consultants as I just don't have the desire to talk to them to do more of the same.
Everything else in my life is good with a happy home life. In fact my previous relationship was so bad I put everything into my work - now I'm happier outside it's actually called into question what I'm actually getting out of work.
I have a strong learning to do my own thing - to set up my own consultancy, and genuinely feel excited when I think about it.
The answer sounds obvious as I write this - do your own bloody thing - you've answered your own question, but I can't shake the notion that I should just shut the hell up and be grateful for what I have, rather than take a massive risk which could put in jeopardy everything I have previously worked for. Work pays for the toys and the life outside. It's easier to say 'grudge it out' in the day, than it is to actually do it.
I would struggle to get another job in the industry and location I am in, which adds another lens to the decision making.
Any thoughts welcome, or anyone that has been in a similar position would be great to get their views
Many thanks
Many people say they cannot afford to leave their current employment because of their lock into things like pensions, severance pay, salary and other benefits and stay miserable counting down the days until they retire, effectively wishing their lives away.
A few say they cannot afford to stay because of the things you say in your post. These are the ones who will make a success of either going it alone or finding a better alternative role.
It is all a state of mind, be positive and things will always work out, they did for me and I was 10 years older than you.
A few say they cannot afford to stay because of the things you say in your post. These are the ones who will make a success of either going it alone or finding a better alternative role.
It is all a state of mind, be positive and things will always work out, they did for me and I was 10 years older than you.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 6th May 12:39
Monkeylegend said:
Many people say they cannot afford to leave their current employment because of their lock into things like pensions, severance pay, salary and other benefits and stay miserable counting down the days until they retire, effectively wishing their lives away.
A few say they cannot afford to stay because of the things you say in your post. These are the ones who will make a success of either going it alone or finding a better alternative role.
It is all a state of mind, be positive and things will always work out, they did for me and I was 10 years older than you.
Thanks for that reply. That really struck a chord with me.A few say they cannot afford to stay because of the things you say in your post. These are the ones who will make a success of either going it alone or finding a better alternative role.
It is all a state of mind, be positive and things will always work out, they did for me and I was 10 years older than you.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 6th May 12:39
The fact that I've felt much better in myself, and even in my current role since I've refined what I would do with my consultancy should speak volumes.
35 is a really interesting age for a career orientated man. You are not alone in feeling like you do - there's a reason why age brackets go 25-34, 35-44 (I turned 44 yesterday, so I'm in the old man one next!)
If you are successful by 35 then it's safe to say that you are expert at doing your job. You can always learn and become more experienced, but the actual doing your job bit is now second nature and no longer the challenge it once was.
I'm assuming when you say PBCD you're at Director level within an organisation, perhaps some NED positions elsewhere as well, but not a Company Director/owner of the £500m business?
If so, then you'll know that the next steps are CEO etc and you'll also know that to do that role takes a different level of time and personal commitment. The £ rewards for which (unless you're ftse) are going to be what? Another £1k or £2k net per month if you're already on 'six figs yo' already?
Achieving PH greatness is ultimately meaningless and pointless. Better to realise that at 35 than at 55 or worse still never at all. Life is not for 'grudging it out'
So options could be:
Continue with the career and commit your life and soul to it because the power and ambition is what motivates you potentially at the expense of other things? Are you or do you want to be that guy?
Take time out and re-evaluate as suggested above.
Look at higher education - I started a Professional Doctorate at around your age which is based on a portfolio of your work and your thinking - a bit like a vocational PhD. Would teaching what you've learned be something that could excite you?
Give back to society? You've been all out focused on your career and self (saying that to make a point not an accusation
), would giving time/professional time to 'your community' fill some gaps/motivate you?
Change jobs
Start something on your own
Enjoy being married and starting a family. Everything will change for you after that in any case.
Buying a faster car will help, but not ultimately solve anything.
If you are successful by 35 then it's safe to say that you are expert at doing your job. You can always learn and become more experienced, but the actual doing your job bit is now second nature and no longer the challenge it once was.
I'm assuming when you say PBCD you're at Director level within an organisation, perhaps some NED positions elsewhere as well, but not a Company Director/owner of the £500m business?
If so, then you'll know that the next steps are CEO etc and you'll also know that to do that role takes a different level of time and personal commitment. The £ rewards for which (unless you're ftse) are going to be what? Another £1k or £2k net per month if you're already on 'six figs yo' already?
Achieving PH greatness is ultimately meaningless and pointless. Better to realise that at 35 than at 55 or worse still never at all. Life is not for 'grudging it out'
So options could be:
Continue with the career and commit your life and soul to it because the power and ambition is what motivates you potentially at the expense of other things? Are you or do you want to be that guy?
Take time out and re-evaluate as suggested above.
Look at higher education - I started a Professional Doctorate at around your age which is based on a portfolio of your work and your thinking - a bit like a vocational PhD. Would teaching what you've learned be something that could excite you?
Give back to society? You've been all out focused on your career and self (saying that to make a point not an accusation
), would giving time/professional time to 'your community' fill some gaps/motivate you?Change jobs
Start something on your own
Enjoy being married and starting a family. Everything will change for you after that in any case.
Buying a faster car will help, but not ultimately solve anything.
t jobs, so count yourself lucky. You should be maxing out your wage and saving as much as poss to get out in say 5 years time. You said “I have a strong learning to do my own thing - to set up my own consultancy, and genuinely feel excited when I think about it.”
It’s that excitement that really motivates us, not necessarily the remuneration (it helps if it’s good too of course).
If you genuinely cannot reignite the excitement in your current role, then some would say you should do what excites you. By doing what excites you usually leads to success too.
Is there anything to stop you making that move?
It’s that excitement that really motivates us, not necessarily the remuneration (it helps if it’s good too of course).
If you genuinely cannot reignite the excitement in your current role, then some would say you should do what excites you. By doing what excites you usually leads to success too.
Is there anything to stop you making that move?
I have a feeling if your in a salaried company director and get bored you would not make it self employed ;-)
Most people I know who have it “sorted” go with the ebb and flow of commitment when its needed but never get bored. The ones who work flat out for someone else are busy fools and those who free wheel are just dreamers who don’t have what it takes to build their own business. So which are you, really ?
Most people I know who have it “sorted” go with the ebb and flow of commitment when its needed but never get bored. The ones who work flat out for someone else are busy fools and those who free wheel are just dreamers who don’t have what it takes to build their own business. So which are you, really ?
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