What would you do in this situation ?

[EuroAussie]

So here's the thing you dont know folks.

 

I've actually parted with the company I've been working for at the end of last November.

 

I've been with that job for almost nine years, and generally speaking it was a highly successful nine years.

 

But we decided to go our seperate ways as I needed a change and made a deal where they looked after me with a very generous 'golden handshake'. (lets just say I could take a year off without working).

 

My plan was to take about a 9 month sabbatical and use this period amongst other things to really focus on the guitar and practice every day. Its basically a once in a life time opportunity.

 

However, a dream job opportunity came up that ticks all the boxes in terms of culture, challenge, people, finances etc ... its very rare to have all these elements line up. If things would go well this is a gig which could set me up for the next 5 years as there is a clear development plan that is very, very appealing.

 

If I didnt take this job I would have a high chance of finding employment after the nine months, but highly unlikely it would tick the boxes like this one, as from my experience these opportunities come once every five years or so.

 

Also were planning to start a family this year with Mrs EA, and the right thing would be to ensure that I'm employed and doing the 'right thing' given the addition to the family.

 

It was also one of the reaons why i didnt buy the 46' SJ as i felt it would be massivelly irresponsible given Im basically out of a job.

 

So the thing is Im busting my brains what to do, whether to take the guitar sabbatical or take the dream job.

 

I know I've given you only some of the facts and details, but based on that what would you do ...... take the sabbatical and have a one in a liftime guitar journey or take the dream job and ensure everything is in place for our future plans ...

 

Interesting dilemma, isnt it ... somehow Im sure you lot will say take the sabbatical, but for the wise heads our there, what would you do ... ??

[Del Nilppeznaf]

I think you would get bored EA...when was the last time you had such a sabatical

 

playing guitar for a couple of hours a day is great... but beleive me..it doesnt take up the full day....

 

now if you were planning on going travelling with ya geetar on ya back..thats a differnt story

 

good luck

[Gio]

A dream job is one of the rarest things on Earth. If you feel good with that, you'll play better.

 

And you would start a family doing the right thing; I can imagine you'd also feel better.

[EuroAussie]

I think you would get bored EA...when was the last time you had such a sabatical

 

playing guitar for a couple of hours a day is great... but beleive me..it doesnt take up the full day....

 

now if you were planning on going travelling with ya geetar on ya back..thats a differnt story

 

good luck

 

Never had such a sabbatical Del. Ive been going pretty hard in this business for 16 years without a real break.

 

However when thinking about it the guitar part is only one thing I would do, there are three other areas that I would want to invest time in (non-work related) but more self development focused.

 

But you could be right Del, the lack of daily stimulation that you get in a work place setting could set it and boredom could be a real issue, especially if I dont stick to my plan.

[ParlourMan]

<tuppenceworth>

 

Take the job, EA... Wouldn't even have to think about it twice!

 

You're not 18-20 and the band isn't a full-time earner. Somewhere down the line the unticked boxes become a big issue in the work environment. Unless the guitar is what's putting food on the table and buying baby clothes, it's a second-tier issue, the guitar will still be there each night and each playing opportunity, a decent working role, not so much... take the job fella!

 

</tuppenceworth>

 

good luck with yer choice.

[blindboygrunt]

<tuppenceworth>

 

Take the job, EA... Wouldn't even have to think about it twice!

 

You're not 18-20 and the band isn't a full-time earner. Somewhere down the line the unticked boxes become a big issue in the work environment. Unless the guitar is what's putting food on the table and buying baby clothes, it's a second-tier issue, the guitar will still be there each night and each playing opportunity, a decent working role, not so much... take the job fella!

 

</tuppenceworth>

 

good luck with yer choice.

 

yeah +1

sorry

[BluesKing777]

When you say 'Sabbatical', you mean lying around the house strumming the guitar a bit, getting fat, smoking cones, drinking beer, taking it easy for a bit....not much good really.

 

If 'Sabbatical' meant travelling with the band around Europe, UK or such - doing something constructive - jump on it!

 

But hanging around home, well....soon enough the rotten Debt Collectors will be around!

 

 

Take the dream job!

 

I assume you have 9 months pay with no worries - well as soon as a drama appears - all your money gone! Dream Job could also mean 'more better Gibsons' plus, new digs, new car, whatever......with the sabbatical money, plus I assume a higher income from the new job......

 

 

Any chance of the 'dream job' being worked from home? I have a boring job with databases, but I get to work from home and have found it to be a great compromise between being bust and guitars going to the pawn shop.....and doing pretty well with everything and not spending hours and hours travelling around to work - these free hours I usually spend on guitar practice and guitar/music related stuff. You could do some structured lessons.....etc. Less Stress!

 

I sound like an ole fogey, but you asked, so you are probably worried about the exact things I said...

 

 

Good luck - things have a way of working out if you 'keep moving'!

 

 

 

BluesKIng777.

[ChrisA83]

Take the job and by the SJ now you have two incomes!

[EuroAussie]

When you say 'Sabbatical', you mean lying around the house strumming the guitar a bit, getting fat, smoking cones, drinking beer, taking it easy for a bit....not much good really.

 

If 'Sabbatical' meant travelling with the band around Europe, UK or such - doing something constructive - jump on it!

 

But hanging around home, well....soon enough the rotten Debt Collectors will be around!

 

 

Take the dream job!

 

I assume you have 9 months pay with no worries - well as soon as a drama appears - all your money gone! Dream Job could also mean 'more better Gibsons' plus, new digs, new car, whatever......with the sabbatical money, plus I assume a higher income from the new job......

 

 

Any chance of the 'dream job' being worked from home? I have a boring job with databases, but I get to work from home and have found it to be a great compromise between being bust and guitars going to the pawn shop.....and doing pretty well with everything and not spending hours and hours travelling around to work - these free hours I usually spend on guitar practice and guitar/music related stuff. You could do some structured lessons.....etc. Less Stress!

 

I sound like an ole fogey, but you asked, so you are probably worried about the exact things I said...

 

 

Good luck - things have a way of working out if you 'keep moving'!

 

 

 

BluesKIng777.

 

Sabbatical, but specifially not sitting around on the sofa, smoking cones etc ... I know that is a sure fire way towards a downward spiral.

 

Sabbatical with a clear plan of activities, but not travel related. More like playing guitar, getting fit, learning Czech, possibly doing an online MBA or a course specifically to my business that will fill any knowledge gaps. In other words an active mind type sabbatical.

 

Finances wise Im OK for the next 12 months at least.

[Versatile]

Old fogeys are always right...

 

V

 

[blindboygrunt]

while i said take the job , there is a side also thinking bollox take a year .

i read a while ago that some nurse in the far east , china or japan cant remember , who worked in the part of a hospital that people dont leave , had written a study of people's final thoughts of life and the biggest regret that almost all of them , and i think all the men, said was that they spent too much of their lives working .

tough decision , 1st reaction was take the job , but maybe thats just the part of me that society has warped into thinking that it matters

 

as long as youre able to get off yer arse when the time is right to get up again.

 

good luck with whatever you choose

[Gruffchris]

Hey,

 

From your original post most of the emphasis was on the job rather than the break, so maybe you have already made up your mind deep down?

 

I've just had a year off myself and I've been kicking myself that I didn't have a better structure to my time. If you do decide to take the break, then write yourself a timetable like at school :).

[Gruffchris]

while i said take the job , there is a side also thinking bollox take a year .

i read a while ago that some nurse in the far east , china or japan cant remember , who worked in the part of a hospital that people dont leave , had written a study of people's final thoughts of life and the biggest regret that almost all of them , and i think all the men, said was that they spent too much of their lives working .

tough decision , 1st reaction was take the job , but maybe thats just the part of me that society has warped into thinking that it matters

 

I did a summer abroad when I was a kid, came back and started work. One of the old timers pulled me to one side and basicly said what that nurse said. Always stuck with me.

[EuroAussie]

Hey,

 

From your original post most of the emphasis was on the job rather than the break, so maybe you have already made up your mind deep down?

 

I've just had a year off myself and I've been kicking myself that I didn't have a better structure to my time. If you do decide to take the break, then write yourself a timetable like at school :).

 

Ill tell you what my current thinking / approach is Chris but Ill leave that for a little later ...

 

Just so you know the job is not a done deal at this stage. I still have to go through a couple tough interviews and it might not come to fruition. I will be entering a new (but complementary) industry so there is a chance that it might be a failure due to lack of direct industry experience, but I like a good challenge.

[Gruffchris]

Cool, then that must surely settle it, lol, Go for the job and if you get it bonus, if you don't bonus :).

[EuroAussie]

Cool, then that must surely settle it, lol, Go for the job and if you get it bonus, if you don't bonus :).

 

Yeah, thats basically the idea.

 

Out of curiosity, how was you one year off Chris ? You mentioned you didnt structure your time well. Did you have a plan initially and just didnt follow it or you just went with the flow.

 

Im quite interested in your experience.

[Gruffchris]

TBH, I've just gone with the flow, I think I needed a break more than anything. I have enough saved to have a while longer off, so now I'm at a cross roads myself, should I take some more time and try to do more or go back to the real world? Before i go back I'm going to go travelling for a month or so, maybe US(do a man vs food tour, lol).

[flatbaroque]

I'd take the job for sure

...I was going to take 6 months off between jobs to paint once (canvas's not houses)...but I ended up looking for work again after 2 months cause I got bored......I agree with GruffChris....really have to structure your time well if you have a long time off and aren't traveling or involved in some big personal project.

Not a bad position to be in though...most don't have that choice...use it wisely grasshopper.

[geeterpicker]

Easy decision. Dream job. I take it you're relatively young. If you took a year off work, it wouldn't be long before you'd realize there was nothing to do, because everyone was at work. And after a week or so of just playing guitar, you'd get tired of hearing yourself. It's cool for a while not having to be anywhere, but it gets old fast.

[j45nick]

Dream jobs don't come along very often. Just because you take the job doesn't mean you have to quit playing guitar.

 

I took a partial five-year break at the peak of my career. I say "partial", because I was still working, but only very part time. I did forego a lot of earnings, and it took me years to get back to where I would have been financially if I had not taken the time off. At the same time, new doors opened to me that I never even would have known existed had I stayed in the office with my nose to the grindstone, instead of taking off to sail around the world.

 

These are not easy decisions. But if that really is a dream job, I'd say follow that dream. You don't get many chances to realize dreams in this life.

[tvguit]

1. Take the job

2. Buy the SJ

3. Have kids

4. Lock that SJ far far away from said kids!!!

[EuroAussie]

1. Take the job

2. Buy the SJ

3. Have kids

4. Lock that SJ far far away from said kids!!!

 

Now there's a simple but good plan !

[stein]

Take the job. MANY reasons for it.

 

For one, while sabbaticals are nice, they could come up on thier own without having to 'take' one. You really never know. One should never wait until the last minute. Being able to wait for the best job you can get is a luxery, and if you find it, take it.

 

My boss gave me some great insight and wisdom not too many years ago: when you are young, those are the "earning" years. You get better at some things with age, but some things you loose are stamina and the abilty to change directions easily. It's far easier to earn now, sabbatical later than the other way around.

 

5 years? that isn't a long time. That isn't a bad thing, but basically, if you are taking a "dream job" that is really for the next 5 years, that's nothing as far as putting off your 'sabbatical' until then.

 

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has the "sabbatical" gene. In that, everyone can come up with what to do and handle recreation. It's far easier to get into that groove than it is to get OUT of that groove and back into the work force. A man has to know his limitations. I don't know what your's are, but test them working. That is, if you can't do the things you want while working, that will tell you what you would find out you can't do while on sabbatical. Talking about growing soft.

 

Lastly, life is a journey and a mystery. You never know what the future will bring. This job, and the next and the next you don't know if it's 5 years, 6 months, when work will "dry up", or if you will have abundance. Even what you will be doing, or what you CAN do based on what's in front of you. Or, what you will learn. Better to get hit with whatever the future brings on your feet than on your ***.

[duluthdan]

It would be foolish not to put all you've got into trying to attain the new job opportunity. Stein's right, these are probably your best earnings years - best to stay astride that horse, especially if you are contemplating starting a family. I've always been a security freak. You never know when life is going to throw a curve your way.

[AnneS]

I would be listening hard to Mrs. EA's preference, too- as I suspect you are. If she, too, has a career and you are looking to start a family, there is something to be said for the option of daddy staying home for the first year or two. He could concievably (oops-unintentional pun) keep his guitar/gigging fires alive AND have a break from his career, without having one single free moment in which to be bored.

 

And, the dream job (whether this or the next) will, if it's truly a dream job, work itself around such a plan, should it be what both you and the Mrs. intend.