Missing opportunities in life....

[Welly]

I've been unhappy (ish) at work for some time (very long stick but no Carrot scenario) and I became aware of an exact same job at another (more financially stable) company recently and thought about moving, then dismissed it, then thought about it again but times are tough, didn't fancy being the last one in at a new co. So generally kept the idea as a reserve for a while. The job would be essentially the same (and I'd have simply walked in there with no interview etc) although I'd be a couple more steps away from any profits being made making their way into my hands.

Found out this week the position has already been filled

Got me thinking about a whole load of missed opportunities for which I could kick myself for over the years and thinking if things would be better or worse than they are now (taken a hefty pay cut recently and really feeling it now, work is scarce and really cut throat).

Anyone else think they've slipped up along the way somehow, sometimes?

Welly
Feeling Glum

[DiscoPol]

Careful Welly Old Chap,

that way lies madness im afraid.

But.....................

the missed chances are all my own making, I regret doing things, not regret not doing things, if you get my drift

I have never made a wrong decision at the time, at the time, it was, what seemed to be the right decision.

Sadly history has now shown me that this philosophy may be a little flawed but I cant change now, can I?

Now chin up Welly and remember
Illegitimi non carborundum

after a cheeky drink tonight i can feel a full blown wallow in self pity coming on for me, i really must hook up that breathalyser lock out on the keyboard.

DiscoPol/Polskipugless

[steve_earwig]

Indeed, decisions are made with what's known at the time, if it turns out to be a cock up then hey, you did your best, it's not your fault your crystal ball takes Betamax...

I knew I was taking a great leap when I came out here but I decided, with things the way they were, it made sense. Turns out HM government have made a complete shambles of the economy and prices have skyrocketed here too, so I'm having to survive on much less than I thought. But I did my best. I still wouldn't go back though.

Then there was that time I got chatting to the fit young lady in the smoking room at work, she was telling me all about how she had an open relationship and her boyfriend didn't mind what she got up to. That's cool I said, then went back to my office Or there was the time I was helping a friend of my then girlfriend fill in some online form. I was reading the questions out and when I got to "sex" she said "yes please!". I laughed and carried on down the form. God I can be so dense sometimes

[Doggy]

We've all done something similar, or maybe a lot more similars, come to think of it. I'm absolutely certain I've made wrong choices along the way, missed opportunities galore etc. etc.

I don't worry about it - I try to make the right choices now, what's done is done & all that.

Important thing is, I know I could have been more successful, but in the end I wouldn't have been me anymore. Some people wouldn't be bothered by that, or look at it with a sense on achievement, but I prefer who I am.

Philosophy over, I'll get back to moaning now.

[TooT]

I'm usually happy with the decisions i make, sure some have not paid off or i have chickened out of some that i would love to have done really but at the time couldn't push myself to go for it. Really i wish i had more balls/bravery to make the choice i really want.

I could list some of these opportunities ive had during my life but i don't like to think about it. At this moment in time life is ok, could be better but could be a lot worse.

[jasper5]

Far too many to list....but a couple of weeks ago I went to the funeral of a very good female friend of 28 years, I met her best friend from Oxford whom I was very close to moving in with 25 years ago, I decide to stay as I was, but seriously regret it now that we had a chat after the funeral.....

The best thing for you Welly is that you have age on your side, you will have many more opportunities, I'm sure.
One thing that having had two serious health scares does is to make you see that life is so short and you must make the best of everything....my friend I talked about earlier was in perfect health until january, she had a cancerous brain tumour and lasted just 8 months....from nothing....cruel
If you want to do something....just do it!

[Welly]

I feel better now having read the replies, I guess we're all the same in a way

[DaiRees]

Yup, been in and out of the same boat. I passed on the opportunity for promotion a couple of times over the years 'cos I didn't want the stress then ended up so stressed a few years ago that I had to leave a job 'cos it was making me really ill! Took a huge pay cut, things were OK for a bit but no spare money, the recession meant big changes in the company and I spent a period working for a bunch of psychos, things not OK and poor money, not at all happy! Buoyed by a new cavalier attitude I left that job right in the middle of the recession last summer to set up on my own with one big contract (enough to pay the bills for a year) and a couple of other dribbles of work, ended up having a good year last year and seem to be having another good one this year (so far, touch wood and that). Now a Director of a small business and I'm back in college adding strings to my bow ready for the next crash in Dai's head.

The decision to leave the first job was huge, 10 years service, company pension, pregnant wife, bills and mortgages, 30% pay cut... but I had to do it. The difficult period that followed when the recession hit really made me question the decision but there's no point in wondering what if! Now things are looking quite good, I'm conscious that I'm riding on a bubble and that it could burst tomorrow or last forever, I'll take it as it comes. I'm making sure I spend more time with the family and enjoying myself. We are survivors and life is for living, work to live, don't live to work!

[waue1978]

I sometimes think about things I wish I'd done & other things that I wish I hadn't, but then I just look at my little boy & realise that it had to be that way because if I'd done anything differently it would have changed everything & he wouldn't be here now.

[teamster1975]

Hear hear Dai!
I don't think it's wise to dwell on decisions made in the past as they all determine who we are now.
I think everyone on the planet will want to go back and do something differently but decisions have to be made, good or bad.
I turned down a bloody good job offer a few years ago with superb salary because I didn't want to fold the family business. I am nowhere near as well off and some months are a huge struggle but I made my choice and can say that I'm fairly content
Keep the faith Welly, I always believe that when you are ready the right opportunity arises. Sounds a bit hippie but it's reassuring

[Welly]

Cheers guys, Dai - what is it that you do? I know what Teamy does - he fiddles with pooters

[DaiRees]

I'm part owner of a training company. We deliver work based training in a wide range of subject areas, business types and locations, started with NVQs in Business Improvement Techniques and short courses in Health & Safety and Environmental Awareness but we've quickly branched out into loads of other areas; Customer Service, Leadership and Management, Business and Administration, Warehousing and Logistics, Recycing and Waste Management plus others... We now have 4 full time Trainer/Assessors and a load of associates who we subcontract to.

I've also got my own sole trader consultancy company through which I help clients to implement and maintain Quality, H&S and Environmental Management Systems that comply with a range of standards such as ISO9000, TS16949, ISO14001 etc, as well as customer specific stuff. This involves auditing, writing and implementing policies and procedures, training staff, monitoring performance and representing the client at 3rd party audits. I'm also sometimes contracted by awarding bodies to help create and develop work based qualifications.

I'm in college doing a PGCE.

Bet you're sorry you asked now Welters....

[Welly]

Frigging hell Dai and you say you've got more time with the kids

Clever little sausage aren't you!