Is the mere fact of having reported to eleven bosses in eleven years at a single institution adequate grounds for leaving a very good job? For a long time, my husband didn’t think so. But, then, he didn’t have to weather all those transitions—nor deal with two of my bosses, whom I’ll generously call “difficult.”
My experiences at the college where I had all those bosses are the subject of my memoir-in-progress. But this post is about the factors that influenced my decision to leave that once good job and, at a fairly ripe age, start a new career.
As I tell my memoir writing students, “Don’t bore your readers with the normal run of events. Write about the aberrations, the blips, the challenges to your expectations.”
My expectation was that I could continue being a productive manager in a position I cherished in a reasonably stable organization.
But, in a period of two years, the college had three presidents, and each major change in executive personnel made my burdensome administrative tasks even more time consuming.
I considered stepping into a contributor’s role to lessen these responsibilities. But I would still be expected to run too many projects simultaneously. And new assignments, with impossible deadlines, would casually be inserted into my queue on a regular basis.
I would still be called on to create and make presentations at the drop of a hat to my department, other departments, a committee of the board—to anybody who would listen.
I would still sometimes have to spend half my work week in a room full of people who were silently fretting about the unfinished work on their desks. All for less money. It would have been a great deal for my employer, but not for me.
You can see what it was like at “From Part Time to Parting Time.”
Or, see why I’ve never regretted my decision at “After Burnout, a New Career Helping Writers.”
Please share your thoughts about leaving a regular job to devote yourself to writing.
Hello,
Just found your blog while looking for fellow websites. I’m a member of the Lost in Fiction team, we are a communication company based in the UK. Our webiste is packed with news and reviews about everything which is fiction. Why don’t you pop in and have a look? I’m sure we could collaborate together and very productively! Our email is: info at lost in fiction.co.uk
Tx for getting in touch. Good idea. I’ll check it out as soon as I get out from under a couple of deadlines. Probably Saturday.
You are living my dream life. I gave up the high-pressure job, but have yet to find the fulfilling replacement. Do you have to be a certified teacher to teach at the community adult programs?
No, Kathy. You don’t need certification to teach in adult ed programs.
It’s nice to read others took the gamble. I left a job I truly loved. It was awesome. I traveled a lot and earned good money. That stopped when I decided to “write”. It’s been an arduous journey for sure. In the meanwhile, I’m back at uni, getting my degree and almost done with my book. There have been times when I’ve questioned the choice. Since I’ve got my son to take care of as well. But we are doing ok and things are looking up.
Good luck to you for 2011.
Hi Veronika. Thanks for leaving a comment. It’s truly unnerving to leave a job, especially one you love, but it seems all life is risk, anyway!
Good luck on your writing. (I wish I were almost done with my 2 memoir books.) I’m going to take a look at your work on Twitter. (Love what I assume is the title—Nothing But Genius!)
Happy, prosperous, productive 2011!
nothing but genius is my homage to Oscar Wilde and has nothing to do with my books or rather the title of my books. , )
Still, it’s a wonderful blog title.
Toying with the idea of leaving to write myself. Love my job and my students, but at some point I will have to commit more intellectual and physical energy to writing. My children are aging up, I’m aging up, I’m loosing brain cells everyday…it’s a tough call. I have lots of part-time projects at the moment. They have taught me much, mainly that more substantial works will require more time than I presently have.
You comments have stirred my thoughts anew.
Kim: I know what you mean; it is very *tough* to leave a job you like. Hope you make the best decision for you—and your writing.
In return for your comment, I’m sending you Polish and Publish. Hope you find it useful.
My hat’s off to you for taking the plunge. I’m lucky; I have a husband with a good job, and my “job” is taking care of the kids, which allows me to work writing time in and contribute to the family income without the pressure…and allows me to ease my way into it–also without the pressure. Thank God! I say.
Thanks so much for your comment, Kathleen. It seems as if you’ve managed to attain the kind of balance (and sanity) most of us only dream of. I’m jealous.
You’re brave, Lynette. I would LOVE to give up my 9-5 to write full time. My 9-5 USED to be writing full time (I was a daily newspaper reporter), but now, it’s only partially writing. The only thing holding me back? Financial responsibilities. I hear all the time of people giving up their jobs to write. What I’d like to know is, how did they do it financially (without losing their house, giving up their pets, etc.)? That would be incredibly helpful for me.
Good for you, taking the leap of faith.
–Shari
Did it. Still coming through the identity crisis. Left my position as Assistant Director for county Health and Human Services. Was writing full time. Husband started feeling “what if?” financially insecure, although I think we’re fine. Now starting a practice as a therapist to bring in money that I’m hoping will still allow time to write.
I have written a book since leaving employer, but now starting the practice has distracted me from focusing on re-writing. But, I think I’ll finish it. The other job was completely consuming and required many, many hours to never be caught up and daily living with the since of the forgotten something that was going to bite at any moment.
I’ll be 47 in four days. I left my job June 18, 2010.
Wish I could delete that post. Did I really write “since” for sense and not space enough between paragraphs? Oh well. Trust me, I’m a riter.
I love reading about people who take the plunge from jobs to entrepreneurship. I am in the same process myself. Lynette you are doing a great job of building your platform here. I just went over your tweets and noticed how much time you are spending helping other writers by promoted THEIR work online. Thanks for all the RT’s and mentions. Write on!
You’re so welcome, Shirley. And I’ll be interested in learning how you’re making your way into the world of entrepreneurship. Maybe you’ll blog about it?