To take up a job or no?

[cacheborn]

Hey guys,

I have a rather delightful dilemma here.

I quit my job in France last year and returned to India. I am in the middle of writing a sci-fi novel, planning to finish it by the end of the year. Yesterday, a friend sent an email to say that there is a scientist position in one of the labs in US and asked if I was interested. Financially speaking, I do not really need the job. My needs are few.


Taking the job : pros

• Security
• Better opportunity to get novel published from US (Not sure abt this)

Taking job : cons

• Doing work that I do not really enjoy
• Not sure if I will get some time for creative writing. No idea about the working hours.

What I want to know is it this a new door of opportunity or is it a false distraction? My gut instinct tells me to let go of the false sense of security and give 100% to my writing. From my past experience, I have come to realize that such moments decide the direction of one's path and therefore are crucial.

Any thoughts?

[scorpio1980]

You just answered your question. You said you will not enjoy the work, and that you don't need the money. From what you are saying here it also sounds like you enjoy writing, perhaps it may be a passion. I would stay put, finish your novel, and if you feel it can be more easily published in the USA, then move to the USA when done. For now I would stay put, and write that awesome novel, if you are passionate about the writing i'm sure it will be a success. Good luck!

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by scorpio1980

You just answered your question. You said you will not enjoy the work, and that you don't need the money. From what you are saying here it also sounds like you enjoy writing, perhaps it may be a passion. I would stay put, finish your novel, and if you feel it can be more easily published in the USA, then move to the USA when done. For now I would stay put, and write that awesome novel, if you are passionate about the writing i'm sure it will be a success. Good luck!

Thanks. The thing is IF it is true that it's easier to get published in US, then I cannot move to US just like that. I could not even go for CGW3 because they did not give me visa.
But if I get the position, then I can move to the US. so kind of catch-22, based on the assumption that it will be easier to get published from the US.

[DanielMWood]

Before I could make a decision I would need to know all the new job entails.
Perhaps you can write whilst working? Maybe you will feel more motivated in the US to write? More creative?

I know by experience that changing scene helps unleash creativity.

But once you got all the facts you should follow your heart. You seem set on the writing now, so go for it, but I would ask to know everything before making the plunge.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by DanielMWood

Before I could make a decision I would need to know all the new job entails.
Perhaps you can write whilst working? Maybe you will feel more motivated in the US to write? More creative?

I know by experience that changing scene helps unleash creativity.

But once you got all the facts you should follow your heart. You seem set on the writing now, so go for it, but I would ask to know everything before making the plunge.

Yup, good point. i thought about that.
The working hours will be at least 9 to 5. At this moment I am not sure how much time I will get free. You are very right about changing the scene. I have experienced it myself.

[cacheborn]

Last night, I intended for some clarity. and this morning I saw these two quotes on FB.

Nine to five is how to survive, I ain’t trying to survive. I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Jay-Z

‎"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." -Robert F. Kennedy

My gut instinct seems to agree with these.
My left brain is saying what if this is an opportunity in disguise?

[Medea33]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

What I want to know is it this a new door of opportunity or is it a false distraction? My gut instinct tells me to let go of the false sense of security and give 100% to my writing. From my past experience, I have come to realize that such moments decide the direction of one's path and therefore are crucial.

You don't actually have to live in the US to find a US literary agent or publisher, so I don't think you have to count that on the plus side.

How well does listening to your gut work for you? Is it reliable or is it a pit of fear that tells you to live small? If it's the latter, it may not be your best guide right now. That said, I've often noticed that the Universe drops large hints on our heads until we choose our best path and then sometimes tests our willingness to continue on it by offering meretricious choices. The Universe also often drops opportunities on our heads that change what we thought was our best path.

Sometimes wondering which is which makes me feel like a crazed hamster. But when I calm down, it's almost always clear that one branch of a path is the right one for me.

It doesn't sound like you're particularly excited by the job, but you are about writing.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by Medea33

You don't actually have to live in the US to find a US literary agent or publisher, so I don't think you have to count that on the plus side.

How well does listening to your gut work for you? Is it reliable or is it a pit of fear that tells you to live small? If it's the latter, it may not be your best guide right now. That said, I've often noticed that the Universe drops large hints on our heads until we choose our best path and then sometimes tests our willingness to continue on it by offering meretricious choices. The Universe also often drops opportunities on our heads that change what we thought was our best path.

It doesn't sound like you're particularly excited by the job, but you are about writing.

Great response, Medea. Thanks a lot.

I have not had too much experience with gut feeling, as I have been left brained most of my life. It's only recently, that I started to use my intuitive feelings. At the moment, my gut feeling is not of fear but of excitement. It would be crazy but exciting to give myself 100% to my writing. (You are absolutely right, I am crazy about writing. )

Sometimes wondering which is which makes me feel like a crazed hamster. But when I calm down, it's almost always clear that one branch of a path is the right one for me.

Yup you have hit the nail on the head.
Come to think of it, I don't really care about the pros and cons. The only thing that makes me think about it twice is what if this is an opportunity sent to me by the Universe that will carry my further along my desired path? I have also experienced that things do not always manifest the way you want them to be, but in ways you never thought possible.
I know now that decisions like this can open doors as well as close them

This offer was so out of the blue that it took me by surprise. Whole of last year, I was actively looking for a job and I got zilch. And when I stop worrying about it, and do what I really enjoy, I get something like this.

I intend for more clarity and a clear sign as to the path that I should take.
I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.

[cacheborn]

I meditated this afternoon and tried to clear my mind. Almost instinctively, I knew that I was not going to take up the job. What was amazing was I was feeling absolutely delighted. I looked at this problem merely as a interesting development. Like when you are on a path and see a diversion with something interesting. You look at it for a moment and then continue on your path. Normally, when faced with such a dilemma, I would be anxious but this time I am really glad to see the change.

I am feeling confident without having any logical basis to do so.

Thank you all for the replies. And thanks also to those who sent me positive energy.
Yes, I felt it.

[richardxthripp]

If people are offering you jobs, then you are obviously in demand which is a good thing. You can always take up a similar offer later if you have money problems, but don't do it now.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by richardxthripp

If people are offering you jobs, then you are obviously in demand which is a good thing. You can always take up a similar offer later if you have money problems, but don't do it now.

Thanks. In fact I am beginning to get away from the whole idea of working 9 to 5 for someone for secondary gains. I will try to avoid it in future.

It may appear as if I took the decision very quickly without waiting for further opinions, and I agree. What was amazing was the conviction that I had that this was the right decision. It was as if someone was telling me that it is so. I have zero experience with spirit guides personally, but this did seem like one of those things. It was cool.

[CoolBee]

Only just seen this thread, but had a similar dilemma here about 2 years ago - out of the blue job offer matching or exceeding the corporate role I quit in order to change my life 3.5 years ago!

I considered it seriously for about 20 minutes and then I decided no - my life has moved on into a different arena.

[Bricona]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

Hey guys,

I have a rather delightful dilemma here.

I quit my job in France last year and returned to India. I am in the middle of writing a sci-fi novel, planning to finish it by the end of the year. Yesterday, a friend sent an email to say that there is a scientist position in one of the labs in US and asked if I was interested. Financially speaking, I do not really need the job. My needs are few.


Taking the job : pros

• Security
• Better opportunity to get novel published from US (Not sure abt this)

Taking job : cons

• Doing work that I do not really enjoy
• Not sure if I will get some time for creative writing. No idea about the working hours.

What I want to know is it this a new door of opportunity or is it a false distraction? My gut instinct tells me to let go of the false sense of security and give 100% to my writing. From my past experience, I have come to realize that such moments decide the direction of one's path and therefore are crucial.

Any thoughts?

I started a thread on this a few weeks ago on this same forum page. The thread is named, "From a nice salary to working a minimum wage job at a pizza place" It basically talks about this guy who quits his incredibly well paying job to work for a pizza place for minimum wage because his dream is to own his own pizza place and he wanted to get some experience. Here's the full article.

He did it because he was following what he wanted to do and money wasn't an issue. He hated his job, his job ruled his life. For me personally, I would pass on the job especially if you like your atmosphere now. I would pass on the job and find a job near where I already am to supplement my income. Something small. I find that I can write all day all night, but it's a lot better to work somewhere where I can have time to reconnect myself with the real world daily and be inspired by life as it is.

[Bricona]

Originally Posted by CoolBee

Only just seen this thread, but had a similar dilemma here about 2 years ago - out of the blue job offer matching or exceeding the corporate role I quit in order to change my life 3.5 years ago!

I considered it seriously for about 20 minutes and then I decided no - my life has moved on into a different arena.

Awesome Cool Bee!

[cacheborn]

@Coolbee : Good to know about your decision. As Paul Graham says, "In an artificial world, only the extremists live naturally." I am beginning to think of taking a job as artficial and incongruent with who I am. nice to see these thoughts reflected.

@Bricona : Thanks for the link. I will have a look. I am really fortunate that at the moment I do not need a job to pay my bills. I realized that this a greatest opportunity I could have to live my life exactly as I want to be. I also moved to a house where I have 100% freedom to live as I wish. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.