As we go on and start getting older, of all the changes and priority shifts that accompany aging, there's one thing that's getting more and more important and undeniable to me:
T I M E.
As in, for all the things ranging from great to terrible in our long term jobs, time is the one resource we can never truly replace. Let all this sink in for a minute; think about how this reality is affecting you personally. Me? I'm at the place in my game where I am seriously looking at other things to do than retail.........But I'd like to get some of your thoughts on this.
I have the same issue. Been with the company 8 years. Make 16 an hour and have full medical. Full time as well. Tried of it. I do worry about loosing what I got. I tell myself the reality is , that I will not see significant raise, will continue to pay more for health care. All the BS we deal with, its not fun anymore. If I don't make a move, it will be too late in a few years. Nothing is for sure in life.
I'd say go for it if you can find something viable to replace the current job with.
I've learned the hard way that retail is pretty difficult to escape. Best of luck to you.
It is, unfortunately, especially since it's the one of the few only fields of work where any old (or young) soul can get a job easily, regardless of education.
Inversely, when any old soul can get in, when you actually do get in, you feel like you have to stay there lest you'll be perpetually unemployed while looking for something outside of retail.
For a select few people, retail offers an unmatchable career filled with rewarding work and numerous opportunities. These are the people that end up becoming store directors, district managers, or some sort of project manager. If you want to feel a higher level of equity in a company, I'd suggest shooting for a high position in a small business or, if you have the resources, start your own. In the first few years you'll likely be making less money, but you have a real chance of surpassing your income if you can find something you really do enjoy and are good at. The last thing you should ever do is work in a job that is mundane to you, yet pays fairly well. You'll wake up one day when you're retired and ask yourself, "Why didn't I take a temporary paycut to [insert passion here]?" Our job is only a PART of our life. It should not trump your family or your beliefs. But the truth is, we spend most of our time awake driving to work, working, driving from work, and thinking about work. So take the scary new chance if you feel it will make your career more satisfying. It may sound cliché, but as Robert Plant sang in Stairway to Heaven, "There are two paths you can take, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on."
