5/30/2012

What's Time Worth?

I said, "Adios," a couple of weeks ago to a part-part-time job I held for six years.  Part-part was not a typing error.  I shared the job with two other women and we rotated the job among us every three months, one month on, two months off.

That doesn't make sense, you might think, knowing that I am actually planning on working more now that #3 son will be graduating homeschool next week and be off to college soon.

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The reason for my unplanned and somewhat impetuous resignation was due to time. The job description was recently and drastically changed with increased hours and responsibilities, but no increase in wages.

Not a big issue when the job was only a few hours a week and I viewed it as a way to earn a little extra cash, but suddenly a very big deal when I was now required to re-apply for the job, fill out a multi-page employment application, find a notary to witness something (I don't know what, I didn't read that far), jump through some other hoops (nine in all) and take a drug test.  A drug test?  For a part-part-time job I accomplish in my home?  That I have already performed for six years?  And I am expected to do all this on my own time without being paid?

That's why I said I quit because of time.

What value does your time have to you?

I realized that this job was not one I particularly enjoyed nor was it in line with some tentative goals I have.  Realistically, the time it would take to accomplish the work would be better used working toward long-term plans.

Even though this means a loss of income for a while, I think using my time to take steps to achieve other ambitions is worth it to me.

With every decision we make, we need to count the cost not only in terms of time and money, but satisfaction, peace of mind and fulfillment.  So, what is your time worth to you?

8 comments:

  1. I am currently searching for a new position. I have no idea what I want to do but it is time to change, however there is nothing out there plus there is now no logical reason for me to not work full time, I currently work 4 days a week. But I don't want to give up my one day of taking the kids to school, they are still young and I want to treasure them for a little bit longer, not feel that daycare have grown my children! keep aiming high, something will come and life will be smiling at you once again

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    1. I admire and encourage your desire to be available to your boys as much as you can. It's said that no one has ever said on their death bed, "Gee I wish I would have worked more." I'm sure your boys love the day that you are there to take them to school.

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  2. Unbelievable what they required! I understand your decision - knowing how hard it is to do so. I struggle with the Time Issue daily, but with what time we have left we have to figure out what's important and Time-worthy- ;-)

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    1. Yes, whether we have one day left or 30 years I think we should strive to use our time the best we can so we will have fewer regrets in the end.

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  3. I hear you. I once had a job in non-profit work that became more time-consuming, more frustrating, until the ONLY reason I was there was because it was some money coming in. It was not much, but every dime helps. It hit me one day that the money was not worth it. I was too unhappy. I decided that day I would never again do ANYthing just for the money. I want things I do to have lasting value, to be something I feel called to...my perspective just changed.

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    1. Every dime does help, which I why I kept this small job, but sometimes it is just the right time to make a change as you discovered.

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  4. My time is very valuable to me. It's much more important to me than money, though I know we do need a certain amount of money to survive. I left a teaching job seven years ago to help care for my elderly mother, and I will never regret losing that income for TIME with my mom. I have chosen not to return to work now because my husband is retired, and we enjoy spending time together.

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  5. The older I get the more I realize how very valuable time is!! What is that saying...it's something similar to, you don't regret the things you do, only the things you don't do.
    I'm so glad you dropped by my blog and introduced yourself, like you, I too love to connect with some "older" moms! I think your blog is great and I have bookmarked it so I can visit often.
    Monica, Older Mommy Still Yummy

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