I need a change of pace..

[bcoop]

You not have any control over the people either? That's another perk of mine. If I can't depend on someone, I replace them with someone I can depend on.

I don't. I can drop them in the grease, yell at them, point out every single fuck up, but I don't make the call on how many chances they get, and whether or not they get fired. Which is why I'm trying to get my own assistant. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they are going to let me. If things go the way I think they will, I'll be in a position to hire an assistant some time in the next 12 months, but it's going to come out of my pay.

[Mike]

You not have any control over the people either? That's another perk of mine. If I can't depend on someone, I replace them with someone I can depend on.

I've got control, they are dependable and I trust them to an extent. But most of my customers have zero interest in communicating with anyone but me. There are also several things I don't involve them with certain things, because at the end of the day I'm the only one that can answer for them.

[slow99]

From what I've witnessed, there's a great deal of inter-person variability regarding being "comfortable". By my definition I'm still not there.

[Sleeper]

From what I've witnessed, there's a great deal of inter-person variability regarding being "comfortable". By my definition I'm still not there.

Truth.

Some people are completely happy living in a camper and doing as they please.

Work to live, live to work.

[talisman]

Uhg, fuck that. One of the reasons I wanted my own store was so I wouldn't have to put up with other managers that would let their crews walk all over them while a few of us took up the slack. At this point I've got a nice little reputation so all the fuck ups know better than to transfer to my store, unless they want it to be their last leg with the company. Recent conversation I was told about from another guy between a store manager and my boss about a guy that was getting demoted:
"So what are we doing with so and do, we keeping him or getting rid of him?"
New boss that doesn't know me very well yet: "We're going to put him in Eric's store."
Other manager "Oh, so we're getting rid of him."

Lmao

[Ruffdaddy]

A true leader would cultivate a good employee

[talisman]

A true leader would cultivate a good employee

I have almost zero turnover. I'm talking about people transferring from other stores, or when I first take over a store that has been run into the ground. I'm a "fixer."

[46Tbird]

We get nine holidays, six personal days, three summer flex days, and unlimited sick days. I get four weeks vacation, and I can only roll over eight of those days into the following year. I've only used personal days so far this year so I don't think I'll be at the office much later this year. lol

To HELL with only taking two days off in two years, that is insane. I feel like I never do anything, but damn. You don't want to be the pasty white guy that dies of a heart attack at 45 do ya? Your "real" life is much more important than answering the god damned phone or replying to emails.

[talisman]

Spot on Danny. I'm bored out of my mind these days, but it's because this place runs 99.99% flawlessly, and I've been in this location for over three years. I work so I can thoroughly enjoy my time off, and train my people to handle anything so I can trust them when I'm not there. If I can't trust them, they shouldn't be working there any way.

[bcoop]

We get nine holidays, six personal days, three summer flex days, and unlimited sick days. I get four weeks vacation, and I can only roll over eight of those days into the following year. I've only used personal days so far this year so I don't think I'll be at the office much later this year. lol

To HELL with only taking two days off in two years, that is insane. I feel like I never do anything, but damn. You don't want to be the pasty white guy that dies of a heart attack at 45 do ya? Your "real" life is much more important than answering the god damned phone or replying to emails.

I get 5 weeks... Doesn't make a difference. I don't know if I've ever used a full week, even splitting the days up.

My email/phone is what affords me a real life. And there's the always present thought that if I don't answer my phone, someone else will answer theirs.

[46Tbird]

My email/phone is what affords me a real life.

Man, I really hate to hear that. I can appreciate a hectic, competitive career, but that just seems overboard. Hopefully you can get a better work/life balance soon.



PS, I'm headed to Playa for nine days in September, I'll send you an email.

[SMKR]

Working for myself is much more enjoyable than any job I've ever worked.

Im beginning to think that is the answer. Now to just find a service to provide to customers that will keep me busy year round, in demand, that I can get my certification(s)/license(s) within a year or 2........

[talisman]

Man, I really hate to hear that. I can appreciate a hectic, competitive career, but that just seems overboard. Hopefully you can get a better work/life balance soon.



PS, I'm headed to Playa for nine days in September, I'll send you an email.

Yeah, Brent, I'll text you from the AlCan.

[SMKR]

Move to a tropical island and live the life.

Man, Im in Destin, Florida this week with the family on vacation and I am so jealous of our deep sea fishing captain. He took us out yesterday and he did a similar thing. He quit his job of 18 years in Chicago, packed up, moved down here to the beach, bought a boat and has been taking vacationers out on fishing charters for the past 7 years and said it was the best decision he ever made and just wish he would have done it a lot sooner.

[DasVWBabe]

It might not be your career that makes you feel like you're in a rut. Have you tried taking more time off and enjoying life more? Sometimes getting away and hitting the bucket list is just what the doctor ordered.

Going to wholeheartedly agree with this. As Americans, we're constantly assaulted with images of loyalty and that extends to the workplace. Often, the employer cares so little for your loyalty that your work ethic can leave you an empty shell of your former self. I was beginning to become extremely weighed down with the prospect of going into the office every morning with what I felt I *owed* my company (I'm in software sales for a small start-up and have been in the industry the past 13 years).

My company then employed "use it or lose it" vacation policy, so I've been using the hell out of it. So, we just said "fuck it" and started traveling . . . just to get away. The last 3 years I've taken trips throughout Italy and the Amalfi Coast, Côte d'Azur and Paris, and last year was Sardinia for Rally d'Italia and Capri to follow. This year is Rally de Espana and a week on the Costa Dorado. Checking things off of the bucket list like that is extremely underrated and ultimately, good for the soul.

At this point, I'm just working to pay off the house and at that point, move to one of the vacation locations we've been to.