Also, your Aimee Mann suggestion many many posts ago is what turned me on to the album. It’s fantastic. Any other music suggestions? I too am a loyal subscriber to emusic.

For myself I can honestly say most of my huge life shakeups have come as a result of something I could not control (being laid off for instance). I would guess thats the way it is for most people, for better or worse.

The number one reason is security. From my perspective, the odds of success are 1-in-4 for people making the jump.

3 coworkers who’ve attempted to make a jump in the past 10 years have ended up returning, with a subsequent loss of seniority and pay. And that lower entry return was better financially for these individuals than the new career they jumped to.

Most recently, 1 coworker, with his wife, bought a health club franchise and they’re raking in the dough (rumour is $100k/yr and increasing steadily) now with something he truly loves. He continues to hold the day job, however, because of the health insurance benefits and the extra salary ($70-80k/yr).

Dismal odds of success mean that I am extra cautious in any attempt to buck the status quo.

Two other tales of coworkers:

A manager jumped ship to start her own cosmetics/clothing business when a management shakeup meant she would probably lose her support network at the office. She failed with that venture, but found another management job about a year later with an outside firm. Family was dual income, so not much at risk.

Junior coworker had an amicable divorce in the past few months, so he was looking for a fresh start. He searched for and found a position in another city that would enable him to continue caring for his daughter half time.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that I’m a physician with my own practice. There is a perception in our society that being a doctor is the epitome of success. Being a doctor with your own practice is seen as even more so. So, when I talk about being unhappy and that I want to do something else, and that practicing medicine is not a good fit for me, lots of people just do not understand and they’re not very supportive. They look at how much time and money and sacrifice it takes to get to my position and they think I’m crazy for wanting to “throw it all away”. I look at all the time, money and sacrifice that went into it and think that I don’t want to waste anymore of my precious time and money or sacrifice anything else for something that I really don’t want to do and that doesn’t feed me.

But, as much as I dislike it, there is definitely a pull to stick with the familiar. I’m going to assume this article was a “sign” and this is one I’m going to save. Thanks!

I really like the idea of a dry run wherever possible. I read once about a family that did that with a move they were considering and ended up deciding to stay in the city. It turned out that the suburbs weren’t really “their thing”. And all it cost them to find out was 2 months rent.

But I would disagree with Meg. Her friend gets to work from home most of the time and makes $30k? That is not a bad deal at all. It could be the equivalent of about twice as much money for working at an office, depending on things such as child care, commuting costs, clothing and food (not to mention the increase she would see in taxation if she made more). I can understand why her friend may be quite content to ride that train for as long as possible. If the job does end, I’m sure she’ll be motivated to look for something else quickly. If not, she’s happy and has lots more time for her family.

I really appreciate the work you do for this website. Very enjoyable and I visit virtually (ha! an unintentional pun!) every day. My question is, do you make more money if I pay your advertisers a visit, i.e. if I click the link to their website? Just curious. I’d like to help you succeed as much as possible. Keep up the good work!

I just couldn’t see myself or others’ reactions to me as a stay at home mother after years of schooling at a top university and being a “career woman” at the top of my game. Boy was I a snot.

When I quit work we did away with the status quo in a big way! My husband was a professor and without my work schedule we were able to live in Peru for a semester in 2006 and Italy in 2007. My kids at very young ages have been all over Europe and South America. We’re able to homeschool and my now 6 year old frequently embarrasses me by telling total strangers about how he learned World History last year in the museums of Venice, Florence and Rome. (His favorite story to tell is about how the statue of David is naked – he is a 6 yr old boy! :)

I should note that this wasn’t because we had loads of money (we don’t!) but was because my husband was working overseas and our expenses were being paid by the university.

Because I made this jump my husband has been able to now take a very high pressure (but potentially very lucrative) job with a start up – that he likely wouldn’t have gotten without the international travel we did. We now have the opportunity to live in Manhattan for the next three months followed by a month at home for Christmas and then our choice of living in Vienna or New Zealand for the next 3 – 6 months. And we don’t have to pay for any it.

Scary? Not comfortable? Difficult traveling with two kids? Absolutely. I’m an introvert. I’m rarely in my comfort zone. But we’ve had experiences and made memories that wouldn’t trade for the world.

I’m actually more terrified of taking my kids to Manhattan than I was of taking them to South America. But we’re going. And I’m already planning activities that are outside my comfort zone and theirs. And it will pay off.

(If anyone has a 2 br furnished apt in Manhattan, I’m looking for one to rent!) :)

I can’t encourage people enough to listen to their inner voices – and ignore illogical fear. Being comfortable is really not enough in life when we have so many opportunities – especially as Americans. Our living apparently involved world travel. Figure out what really living means for you and yours – and ignore people who tell you it can’t be done b/c they are too comfortable and want you to be that way too.

At some point, almost everything shifts to a “maintenance program.” You’ve lost the weight, maintain it. You’ve lost the debt, just maintain it.

I see way too much desire for constant change. Some friends of ours move to Nashville looking for a better life, didn’t find it. Thinking it would be better where they were, they moved back. Now they want to move back to Nashville!

The grass may always be greener on the other side, but you still have to mow it! Set your goals, make your plan – then stick to it. If that plan requires a change, then make it, but if you’re always changing the plan, you’ll never get anywhere.

Shanel – Isn’t a great feeling to go your own way on your terms with no regrets?

Mike C – Best of luck on your endeavors. Go for it!

We are all living to dream or dreaming to live. To all those who are living a dream, welcome to the brighter side of life.