Curse of the comfortable job

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I'm wrestling with my thoughts.

For context I'm 35 and work in a technical support role for a large multinational company. It's a well paying job by normal standards think 120-150 only average at best for PH though! I've been in much the same role for 7 years now and can do it standing on my head, it requires on average a couple of hours work a day and there's no real path for promotion.

Now I feel incredibly lucky but it's dawned on me, do I want to carry on like this for 30 years? When I come to retirement will I look back and think what did I achieve? F all would be the answer. In the support role I can't have any real meaningful impact on anything. Would I feel like I wasted my life doing something that doesn't really matter?

Maybe I'm having a mid life crisis. Can anyone relate?

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It's a serious post. I'm sure other people who have been in the same situation will understand.

It's true I could leave and find a new role for the same salary but I expect it will involve a few more hours.

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Thanks for the responses. Even the ones who think I'm crazy.

bigpriest said:

Set yourself something challenging outside of your job - that way you can feel a sense of achievement and keep bringing in the dirty cash.

That's a great idea. I'll get thinking.

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I met up with friends a couple of weeks ago and we discussed our jobs which made me think.

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Doofus said:

They don't think you're crazy. They think you're lying.

Most likely because they havent been in the same situation. However if they think I'm trolling I am going to assume that is because they think it is a great position to be in and that I should stick it out. Which is helpful.

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Redundancy is a possibility. I did see an internal memo 18 months ago about outsourcing my role but the outcome was it would cost more in fees than my salary. At the moment there is no one else in the team which has the skillset required to do it, also the workload is all or nothing but mostly nothing for weeks on end.

I suppose at least with redundancy I'd get a good send off.

And yes I have a very large mortgage. I wouldn't be able to repay in 4 years.

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Thanks everyone your posts help. I need to find out what would make me fulfilled especially outside work although creating a business could achieve that. I think deep down I like to be challenged and to work hard. Doing nothing seems like a waste.

I have no idea if it changes anything but I don't have children yet. Would things change if/when I do, I don't know.

ChevronB19 said:

Oh FFS. Definite troll, sign up today etc.

Why would a large mortgage make me a troll? I don't understand a lot of people get mortgages for the maximum they can borrow.

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StevieBee said:

What would you classify as an achievement?

I guess something you could say "I did that" and something I could be proud of.

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alscar said:

I imagine there are a fair amount of jobs without necessarily offering tangible proof of “ what I did or could be proud of “ and if material things are anything to be proud of you’ve also got your house - mortgaged or otherwise.
But on that note if you really earning that much is all your money going on the mortgage with no savings / investments or Pension as if so simply finding another job that pays the same may not be quite as easy.

Well my mortgage will be over £4,000 a month when it comes to renewal but I'm topping up my pension contributions to £40,000 a year. After that there isn't an awful lot left.

I'm not proud of my house if I'd have built it with my own two hands I would be. Perhaps thats something I can look into.

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z4RRSchris said:

custard, pls post p60

Is it really that hard to believe? There are other posters on this thread who earn more and have had similar situations.

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CheesecakeRunner said:

Just because people get paid a lot for doing bugger all doesn’t mean they have lots of time or money spare.

I earn similar sums, and had several periods over the years where I’ve felt the same as the OP. You start to doubt yourself.

But you still have to be present 8 hours a day, and your mortgage and other bills still swallow nearly all the money.

In my line, it does eventually balance out, as for every project I can do in my sleep for a year, there’s one that burns me out. I’ve just learnt to relax when I can, in the same way a squaddie takes every opportunity to sleep.

Thank you CheesecakeRunner

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Thanks again.

The point about contracting is a great one and it’s something I’ll definitely look into along with getting fulfilment outside of work.

I agree coasting isn’t ideal but not sure there’s scope to stretch my legs here. I do keep a look out for other roles and I think I could jump into something else somewhere else fairly easily.

I must say it hasn’t always been like this. I’ve been here for many years and when I joined it was a full time role but after hard work, and changes within the company the role has reduced and I think will reduce a little more over the next 3 year.

I think my boss has been fighting my corner. I had a few one to ones with him this year and he really wanted me to stay. He got me a 16% pay increase to try and keep me. Pretty decent I thought considering no change in role.

I‘ve often made my boss look great and after all it’s not his money so I guess that’s why he wouldn’t want me to leave. It’s agro for him and I make his life easier. That said he also shields me from the politics and office BS above so it’s not one way.

The salary is about right for the role but it’s a full time salary when the role is part time. I don’t think they will find many people wanting to do it part time. Also I’m pretty good at it, it would take someone else longer.

I wouldn’t call myself a senior employee but there’s an expectation that if critical they can contact me. Even if I have to say it myself they get great service when they need it.