So I have a situation that I could use some additional opinions on.
Some background - I work in a high pressure, high visibility position in financial services. I'm pretty well paid, but it's one of those jobs that you end up bringing home every night and weekend. I'm being treated for severe depression and anxiety, and one of the things we're trying to work on in therapy is how much is my job contributing to this mental state.
However, I have a high achieving personality, and can't deny that on some level I love the adrenaline and prestige of my current job. My current job is not in danger.
A position in the training department has opened up at work. I also LOVE training and teaching. I've been the unofficial (read unpaid) training for my department for the last several years. The job is two grades below where I am at now, and my current salary is near the top range of the lower pay grade. The hiring manager has indicated she wants to make me an offer, if I want the job.
Things I'm trying to think through.
- If I take the job, I would keep my current salary but there would be little to no opportunity for advancement or raises.
- If I take the job, my position would be much less visible and it would be low pressure. I could have a chance to get some of my work life balance back.
- If I take the job, I might get bored with the lack of stress and adrenaline rushes.
- If I take the job, I would lose the prestige and advancement opportunities (and salary increases) that I have in my current department.
- If I take the job, I would get to devote myself full time to something I have been happily doing for free.
- If I take the job, I lose my current co-workers who are the greatest team of professionals I have ever been part of.
- If I stay in my current job, it's unquestionably financially better. And we are paying off debt while living on one income.
- If I stay in my current job, I may lose my mind (seriously)
Half of my brain is telling me to take a step off of the treadmill, devote less of my energy to work and more to living. The other half of my brain is afraid that I can't cope without the constant stress, and high risk, high reward M.O. that it's become accustomed to. And I would severely miss my coworkers. Part of the reason I moved across the country for this job was because I was convinced (and rightly so) of the awesomeness of my team.
Anyone have thoughts on this - or had to make this choice yourself? I'm really struggling with this. I usually rely on my gut feeling to guide me in situations like this, but the gut is non-responsive.