Ever known anyone to just say F#$% it I am outa here

[XLexusTech]

Just walk in tell the boss to screw and figure it out from there?
Seriously I am at the point professionally and at 45 have no idea what I would do if I made that move...

This get up grind it out at the office, eat dinner go back online and work .. go to bed repeat crap is crushing my soul.

Its all but sucked all the energy out of everything including my car...

Lets say you had 500K in the bank... what would you do?

Options
:flag2:

[Steve68]

Welcome to the new United States work style over 12 hrs a day, 6 day a week, no vacation, no time off, and if you ask for a day, they act like the earth will stop spinning and we will all fall off,

I hear some employers don't offer vacation time anymore,

[glassman]

On one hand, i've never met anyone who was dying or on their "death" bed who said " I wish I woulda spent more time at the office...""

On the other hand, do you/we grind it out for a few more years with a very righteous exit strategy in place.....

[Sieg]

Oct 25th last year I did....one day shy of my 36 year anniversary. Family business, inherited my Mother and Brother as primary partners after my Father died unexpectedly on Sept 10, 2001 and they eventually became my dependents and biggest critics. As partners they only lacked work ethic, knowledge, and vision.

Our kids are 12 & 15 and thankfully my wife has a decent job and the only loan we have is our home which we owe less than 50% of accessed value. Medical expenses, insurance, and utilities are the biggest future concern, if we can get the house paid off we'd be pretty comfortable for our "modest" lifestyle.

$500K isn't much as one medical event could take that and more. At 55 years old finding a decent job ($50K+) in our area isn't easy. Our son has multiple medical issues and is ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) so that pretty much requires an at home parent right now. I will say I had more time to myself when I was working full time (50-60 hour Mon-Sat week) vs. being a full time househusband. :D

If you're single and have little debt and no young kids it's a different game than mine. Medical is your wild card right now IMO.

The overall stress reduction has been priceless though. :thumbsup:

[Track Junky]

Don't know what property values are in your area but if I were you and had 500K to play with I would pick up income properties.

[66fury]

Ive done it with alot less in the bank more than once. Just left a 6 yr business relationship that was mentally killing me. If something you do 12 hrs a day isnt helping you then its hurting you. Chances not taken are opportunities lost.

[dug]

I feel your pain. I'm much younger at 28 and was at my previous "career" for 4-1/2 years right out of college. I knew on the first day of the job I wasn't going to enjoy it, thought I'd give it 2 years to see how it really was. 2 turned into 3 and 3 into 4….. I'm happier now than I can remember and I know whatever happens I'm NEVER going to regret my choice to quit that god awful, soul sucking hell hole. If you have anywhere near $500,000 I'd pull the plug tomorrow.

If you want a letter of resignation I can send you a template :unibrow:

[Bryan O]

Just walk in tell the boss to screw and figure it out from there?
Seriously I am at the point professionally and at 45 have no idea what I would do if I made that move...

This get up grind it out at the office, eat dinner go back online and work .. go to bed repeat crap is crushing my soul.

Its all but sucked all the energy out of everything including my car...

Lets say you had 500K in the bank... what would you do?

Options
:flag2:

Because you asked. I did kinda. And I'm 53. But, I had a plan B. Submitted my "two week notice" last Dec and started my own business Nov 13th.

$500K is a lot money. What are your talents? What are you passionate about?

I don't want to come across as flippant. My business might fail but at least I've got that bucket list item checked off. Life's too short to be doing anything that "crushes" the soul.

[XLexusTech]

Talents... I am really good and pride myself on my leadership skills. I love, literally.. teaching mentoring and making others happy. Its the only thing that makes me feel accomplished. My technical skills, problem solving abilities have gotten me to a place where I solve the most challenging technical issues for the largest financial institutions in the world. (my job today involves the software they use to move money) I can weld, Fix cars, and if its mechanical... I can figure it out..

My "plan" was to retire at 52 join the peace Corp.. and eventually work my way to a place where the Money I had in investments provided me the ability to do whatever .. wherever..... I wanted... I have no children.. no baggage...

I realized long ago money nether motivates me or makes me happy... Security.. it very important.. (i have an irrational fear of being destitute).

Jesus .. i need a couch somewere :grouphug: :EmoteClueless: :buttkick:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I retired my self from the automotive service industry and opened my own business in wholesale manufacturing and proto typing. I'm also working on and restoring older vehicles. I'm now entering the retail side of the industry. I did it all with one of the retirement funds that I started in high school and an investment IRA with the help of Apple and AIG . You can do what ever you want but you have to be smart about it. I still have my other IRA's and union pension to keep growing for retirement.

I would suggest you hire an investment adviser and make a plan. I'm not too sure how far you are from retirement age but it's never too late. Plan it right and you can do what you want and live your life.

Rental properties are nice but I doubt you have enough to over come the insurance and taxes.

I gotta tell you going out on my own was the best thing I did. Living outside of corporate control gives you a freedom everyone should have. Even my worst days as a business owner doesn't give me the stress of working under someone.

[strtcar]

You have no kids, no baggage, 500k in the bank, I'd say your probably ahead 90% of everyone else who is burned out and wants a change. I'd say do it.

[WSSix]

Damn this thread isn't helping me, lol. I'm in the same boat I think. Just search my thread start history and you'll find my thread from, I think, a year ago asking this same thing. I'm still in the same place as I was last year though. Not gonna lie, I'm terrified that if I quit now that I'll never get back to a job making good money even with my engineering degree. Good money to me is 60s or 70s yearly. If some one wants to convince me I'm nuts and can live my already modest lifestyle on less, I'm all ears because yeah, I have no life other than work.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I don't know trey, you gotta plan for it. Either money saved or a solid 5 year plan. Sit down and see what it is costing your to live. See what you can cut or reduce and go from there.

[DETON8R]

My Father-in-law did that, sort of. His life-long outlet was racing motorcycles and hunting.

After raising 5 kids, and on his third wife, and after working like a dog for a defense contractor from the time he was out of high school (age 18) until the age of 55ish, he wanted something different. He left the work-a-day world and opened an archery store. I think he was under the impression that he could have fun doing what he wanted, get paid for it, write off hunting trips, and have a retirement "fun Job" making good money to supplement his retirement/pension. With a full retirement for somewhat steady income, and some cash (nowhere near $500,000) and his home's equity, he opened an archery store.

It could have worked, he was doing well for the first few years, however when that "fun Job" become a "Job" a few years later the store downsized, and moved, then closed a year later as it slipped into bankruptcy. Don't know how much he lost, but when the bankruptcy filing was finalized the debt was just under $100,000, and the majority of the houses' equity was gone.

I think it could have worked, as I think the failure was more about a few bad risk decisions that didn't pay off from the inception, and not working the business as hard as he should have by himself, without hiring others in his place. The first two or three years there were losses, and the accountant didn't think there were exorbitant. The timing of an economic downturn, employing family members and friends, then the wearing off of the "fun factor" by he and his wife resulted in its demise.

I think he really needed a good business plan, some sound 3rd party advice, and the ability to tell himself, friends and family "no" even when it wasn't the fun answer. I respect him for doing it, and there were a few things he could have done better, mostly he needed to rely on his own industry and not the industry of others, and when he didn't know what the right answer was, he needed someone to go to make sure he wasn't making the wrong decision from a business perspective.

Others have done it, these pages are full of entrepreneurs that have done it. It really helps to have business associates that are in a similar line of business (but not the competition) to talk about your decisions, direction, and possible next steps to expand, insure stability and not burn out of it.

[camsdad]

You can do anything if you apply yourself.
The first hurdle is taking that first step.

I worked for a company for 24 yrs with lots of false promises and no retirement even though I requested over the years that they sponsor a 401k plan for the employees.
I was positioned and fully capable of taking over and pursuing newer technologies but the Gen manager/Vice Pres left disgruntled and wanted to see the company fail.
Boss retired, family member came in, 3yrs of back stabbing so I put in my 2 weeks notice.
Scared as hell the first 2 weeks out and wondering all the time if i made the right decision. Then my personal phone started ringing off the hook and I was soon recruited and worked for a competitor for 5 yrs.
On a job site towards the end of that time I made a comment to the customer that I would never pass up an opportunity any more if it benefited myself and family.
A month later I received a call and was asked about my comments. That led to a new job with good pay and benefits in the IT field in local govt. In addition I was encouraged and started a business to cater to my customers of my previous communications industry.
Bottom line is I enjoy what I do so I look forward each day to either go to work or do my business. I may not be wealthy but I guess I'm successful.
The funniest thing is the company I worked for of 24 yrs is hanging on to residual customers and they have tried to get me to come back and run their business in which I have declined stating that "That ship has come and gone" I now sub contract for them from time to time on my terms and at my business rates.
Sad thing for them is when I get out their the customer ends up contacting me directly for any future business needs.
Got to love free enterprise.

[youthpastor]

check out Dan Miller at 48days.net. Not that I have arrived by any means. I work solid hours, but I enjoy it. Dan Miller helped me come up with a transition plan and the tools to make it happen. If you knew what I started my business with you would laugh. We are debt free and in the black. Life is good but is still comes with different challenges.

Dan will help you figure out what it is you are passionate about and THEN you can move towards that goal. Life is short and last time I checked we only get one go around- make the most of it! - Chris

[Fluid Power]

Talents... I am really good and pride myself on my leadership skills. I love, literally.. teaching mentoring and making others happy. Its the only thing that makes me feel accomplished. My technical skills, problem solving abilities have gotten me to a place where I solve the most challenging technical issues for the largest financial institutions in the world. (my job today involves the software they use to move money) I can weld, Fix cars, and if its mechanical... I can figure it out..

My "plan" was to retire at 52 join the peace Corp.. and eventually work my way to a place where the Money I had in investments provided me the ability to do whatever .. wherever..... I wanted... I have no children.. no baggage...

I realized long ago money nether motivates me or makes me happy... Security.. it very important.. (i have an irrational fear of being destitute).

Jesus .. i need a couch somewere :grouphug: :EmoteClueless: :buttkick:

Sounds like my wife's job. The past 2 weeks have been murder. 40 hours in 2.5 days last week. Worked all weekend this past weekend. She works for a company that handles financial transactions for banks. (the largest in the world as well) At this moment, the house phone, her cell phone, and blackberry all have calls on them. (it is 8:00 at night) Perhaps you guys work for the same company? PM me for more details if you wish.... Anyway, she asked me the same question Sunday night. She wanted to know if I would sell my business, move to someplace warmer and get a laid back job with no stress and just live life. We have money in the bank, no debt (house is paid for) but we have 2 kids, 13 and 10. College money is saved. I told her it was damn tempting. The drama is, I love work, I love my business and I love not having to worry about spending money on stupid stuff. But as I was freezing my ass off driving home tonight, it is very tempting to just say f*^K it and bail.....
Darren

[Vince@Meanstreets]

check out Dan Miller at 48days.net. Not that I have arrived by any means. I work solid hours, but I enjoy it. Dan Miller helped me come up with a transition plan and the tools to make it happen. If you knew what I started my business with you would laugh. We are debt free and in the black. Life is good but is still comes with different challenges.

Dan will help you figure out what it is you are passionate about and THEN you can move towards that goal. Life is short and last time I checked we only get one go around- make the most of it! - Chris
Ok, where do I sign up for that Chris?

[strtcar]

Ok, where do I sign up for that Chris?

http://48days.net/

[out2kayak]

Talents... I am really good and pride myself on my leadership skills. I love, literally.. teaching mentoring and making others happy. Its the only thing that makes me feel accomplished. My technical skills, problem solving abilities have gotten me to a place where I solve the most challenging technical issues for the largest financial institutions in the world. (my job today involves the software they use to move money) I can weld, Fix cars, and if its mechanical... I can figure it out..

My "plan" was to retire at 52 join the peace Corp.. and eventually work my way to a place where the Money I had in investments provided me the ability to do whatever .. wherever..... I wanted... I have no children.. no baggage...

I realized long ago money nether motivates me or makes me happy... Security.. it very important.. (i have an irrational fear of being destitute).


Not sure if you write software or are a user, but have you considered cranking out a few mobile apps and putting them out on ITunes / Windows MarketPlace / Google's app store / etc.?

Don't expect much but you can build up a decent cash flow.

Also, if you want mindless work, check out utest.com. Basically they outsource testing to folks. Again, not a ton of money but will keep the cash flow up.

What about pulling together your own apps and sell them on Amazon or other site? Amazon has an amazing logistics support package. Either that or web work, hosting on Azure, Amazon AWS or other cloud host.

If it's a don't like where I'm working now kind of thing, there are many tech jobs out there. Plan your exit strategy and execute. I can't think of a time where I did not have several plans if things went pear shaped, just in case backup plan 1 failed, I could fail over to plan 2 or 3 or 4 or some variation between.

Use what you are good at to benefit yourself. Dream big and go for it!

If you do go for your own business, check out score.org. Are you a veteran?
They offer courses on setting up your own business and offer them free to vets. Highly recommend them.

As a backup plan, have a freezer and fill it. Go hunting, if you like it. A moose is 700 - 1400 lbs on the hoof and a deer is 150 lbs (largest field-dressed deer weighed 402 pounds in MN).

As for healthcare, I think we are pretty much screwed in the short term (3 - 5 years) at a minimum. Will be interesting to see where Obamacare goes. Shop around for a policy and pay off a years worth. Have you been banking money in a HSA? A decent way to tax free put aside money for healthcare. Be careful, a FSA won't roll over year to year.

As with any software project I've been on, put together a risk register where you can calculate a weighted risk value and put the risk mitigation plan. Put aside the weighted risk amount in a fairly liquid and relatively low risk place. As new risks arise, put them on the register. As you burn down the risk, the money can transfer to cover other risks or simply move to a more useful purpose.

Bottom line is that you mention leadership skills, this is no more or less than creating and executing another plan, the plan to make your life better.

Thoughts?

:cheers:

[toy71camaro]

Why not do something your passionate about?

This is something my coaching group is working on. Check it out. Maybe it will give you some help in heading down a path to an exit strategy. And give you a light at the end of that tunnel: http://www.intelligentlifedesign.com/

It's being created by a great team at www.MorningCoach.com. I invite you to check it out (and anyone else, for that matter).

[Blake Foster]

YEP I did it 12 years ago, My BOSS was out at the Tom Lykis show on a Friday afternoon with a couple of other guys from the office. some customer called in with an emergency, I had already left for the day. he called me on my cell and lost it, told me to fix it.

Monday morning I walked in gave him 6 months notice, he said thanks we don't need 6 months, and I got to leave after 2 weeks with 6 month pay.

FU. oh and Thank you too.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

http://48days.net/

All I get is a blog? Not very puter savy.

[toy71camaro]

All I get is a blog? Not very puter savy.

Check out his (Dan Miller's) book. 48 Days to the work you love. That site is a spinoff community of like minded people who've read the book. I'm on there, but dont participate really.

[tones2SS]

You have no kids, no baggage, 500k in the bank, I'd say your probably ahead 90% of everyone else who is burned out and wants a change. I'd say do it.

^^I agree with this. 500k is a lot of money for a single dude, but it can go quickly too. You can never tell what the future may bring, obviously.
I would make sure I had a SOLID backing to fall on in case things start to unravel.
Good luck!

[syborg tt]

Been there did exactly that.

In 1994 I went into a meeting with my boss and I was telling him I needed a day off and he said sure you can have the day off but you have to come in for a 7am - 10am meeting. I explained to him that I had worked 500 days in a row averaging 75 hours a week and I was exhausted. Then he made a mistake started pointing his finger in my face. Well, that was a mistake kinda for both of us. I grabbed his finger and bent it till it broke. I then walked out and said I will see you on Friday and of course when I came in the General Manager and my boss meet me at the door and asked me if I had a moment. Needless to say they asked me to accept a small severance agreement and I of course said I would.

Looking back at that day now I am not sure I would have done anything different. Within one week I started my own business and later another and the rest is history. I couldn't be happier and I love what I do now.

The most important thing is to have a great exit plan for any and every job you have. If you don't especially in today's world you will be in shock when you lose your job. Always' plan to the worst just so your not in shock if it happens.

As for insurance dear God make sure you have it. May 21, 2012 I went in for a Colonoscopy and of course they found a tumor and 14" of my colon was filled with Cancer. Between the surgery and Chemo my medical bill exceeded $500,000.00 in 6 months time. So no matter how much it cost make sure you have insurance.

And guys if you have kids or a wife make sure you get a 1 million dollar life insurance policy when your in your 20's for forty years. That way your family is covered if you happen to accidentally kill yourself. Trust me there are 5 phone numbers in my phone right now of people that have accidentally killed themselves in car accidents in there hot rods.

[XLexusTech]

I am jumping ship after 15 years and moving over to a startup company .. Its a huge change for me and it took alot of soul searching to decide..

If all goes to plan I will be handing my letter of resignation over to the CEO Monday...

Very excited and scared senceless all in the same breath..

BTW for anyone considering a life change.. I recomend Tim Ferriss books...

[Sieg]

Congratulations and best of luck........it's gut wrenching but the peace of mind is priceless. :thumbsup:

[Flash68]

Good luck Jerry! Go for it man. :thumbsup:

[WSSix]

Good luck! I hope it works out for you.

[raustinss]

First...to all you guys with medical issues...move to canada...that crap is FREE...then live your life as you please. We can teach you to skate and play hockey, drink beer...with more then a drop of alcohol, ride a moose, chug maple syrup, say please and thank you. For no reason at all....we actually are a really cool nation. Southern ontario has better winters then Chicago, New York, Buffalo, Boston etc. Which leaves 4-5 months to work on the car for the upcoming spring
LOL Cheers boys
To quote Walt Whitman.....what will your verse be..?
No job or woman is worth your sanity
Ryan Austin

[Ron in SoCal]

Big step and congrats, Jerry. Good luck to you!

[Richio1]

Good for you.

Living in the Bay Area I have seen a lot of companies come and go. In the .com days I must have deleted 100+ voicemails from recruiters while working for ADP (fortune 100 company, blah, blah). I had friends go to start ups that made them millionaires on paper only to have the crash wipe them out. They all found new better jobs over the years. It hurt a little but they all bounced back.

I have other friends who were in the first 100 employees of Salesforce.com, early on at eBay, google, and so on. Some cashed out others are still there because they love what they do.

Me, I stayed put because it was safe. 11 years later I got sick of the BS and bailed. Looking back I regreat staying as long as I did and not taking the chance or those phone calls.

3 years ago, after 14 years in the same industry, I made a total career change. Have been drinking from the fire house ever sense but love it. Should have done it earlier... But I always knew that if it didn't work out I could go back to what I knew in a heart beat.

Embrase the change... It will all work out - best of luck.

[GregWeld]

Glad you followed your brain... when it's time to go - it's time to go. If you don't go and you stay unhappy ---- what kind of life is that.

If you're a doer... get ta doin!

[Track Junky]

Good luck and best wishes!! :thumbsup:

[cluxford]

I talk about change a lot in my line of work (yes I am a management consultant)

I refer to change like this:

If you drive the change it's always good change that leads to good outcomes
If you wait for change to force it's way onto you, it never ends well

Change in inevitable, those who prosper don't wait for change to dictate the terms.

By the way, in what we do we see less than 10% of companies and people embrace and proactively drive change.

90% wait till it's too late.

Congrats on being in the 10%, it will work out fine

[WSSix]

I talk about change a lot in my line of work (yes I am a management consultant)

I refer to change like this:

If you drive the change it's also good change that leads to good outcomes
If you wait for change to force it's way not you, it never ends well

Change in inevitable, those who prosper don't wait for change to dictate the terms.

By the way, n what we do we see less than 10% of companies and people embrace and proactively drive change.

90% wait till it's too late.

Congrats on being in the 10%, it will work out fine

I'm glad to hear this because I'm close to doing the same thing. Tired of sitting around watching life go by because I'm too busy working to live.

[Flash68]

I talk about change a lot in my line of work (yes I am a management consultant)

I refer to change like this:

If you drive the change it's also good change that leads to good outcomes
If you wait for change to force it's way not you, it never ends well

Change in inevitable, those who prosper don't wait for change to dictate the terms.

By the way, n what we do we see less than 10% of companies and people embrace and proactively drive change.

90% wait till it's too late.

Congrats on being in the 10%, it will work out fine

You get it. :thumbsup:

[youthpastor]

I am jumping ship after 15 years and moving over to a startup company .. Its a huge change for me and it took alot of soul searching to decide..

If all goes to plan I will be handing my letter of resignation over to the CEO Monday...

Very excited and scared senceless all in the same breath..

BTW for anyone considering a life change.. Tim Ferriss books...

I just started reading his book today! Congrats! It was 3 years ago this week that I made the move and never looked back . It is scary at first but one of the best decisions I ever made

[GregWeld]

I just started reading his book today! Congrats! It was 3 years ago this week that I made the move and never looked back . It is scary at first but one of the best decisions I ever made



TOLD YA!!!

[XLexusTech]

I joined that startup.. worked there until it was purchased by a Major tech player.. they paid me in Equity. I made a ton.. now have moved to another startup who pay's me in salary 34% of which goes to uncle Sam :confused18:. I wanted to ask if anyone here has setup an S-corp or business to use as a tax shelter. One thats racing, protouring or car building specific would be great to use as an example.

My goal is to bootstrap and small business use it to offset high tax percentages then do it full time within 5 years as a fun thing to do in semi retirement.

Reference http://www.reesnet.com/tax/planning/lvl02700.htm