Q#1- Do I Take the Job or Not?

Question #1- Do I take the job or not? This is for real. I am leaving it up to you.

Background: For various family reasons, I didn't go to college when all my peers went. For several years I managed a small health care practice. I didn't make much money, but it was a job I was good at and the doctor was a good man. Finally, the day came where i was able to quit that job and FINALLY go to college (uni for my overseas friends) so I could eventually get a better job! I graduated in May! It cost a lot of money and it was hard work as it was an Ivy League school. But I did it. I graduated.

The week before I graduated, analysts (who analyze such things) came out to say that for recent college graduates, this is the worst job market in the country's history (that would include the period of the depression). Wow. Happy graduation to me. Turns out, they were right. I have applied to countless jobs without success. I've applied for everything from entry level jobs to more qualified positions. I've applied at companies from large corporations in the big cities to the Starbucks and grocery store in my neighborhood. Nothing. So far I have only received the following feedback: 1) I am over qualified 2) I am not well enough qualified 3) they are not hiring at the moment 4) the position has already been filled. (The time I got the email informing me that the position had already been filled I was a little excited because at least I finally got some feedback to the countless resumes I've sent out. I know, pathetic.)

Since I couldn't find any opportunities, I made my own opportunity by starting a business. The work is seasonal and right now is the "off" season so have neither work, nor income. While the business was 'in season", I didn't receive any income, BUT by my final week I finally broke even. Yessiree, folks. My business now has a tidy profit of $26. As soon as I make the next necessary purchase for the company, it will dip back into the red but for now I'm celebrating any victory that comes along.

In the meantime, I have a little money set aside but worry if it'll be enough until I find a job where I can support myself.

This past week I saw the doctor I used to work for. He asked me to come back to work for him 3 mornings a week. For the same rate I was making 6 years ago (which wasn't much at that time). I used to live near his office. Now I live about an hour away. So I'd be traveling 2 hours on Mondays and 2 hours on Wednesdays in order to work 3 hours each of those mornings. On Fridays I'd work for 5 or 6 hours and drive 2.

Now's your turn.

Do I take the job or not?

YOU decide. But make it quick. I only have a few days before I need to let him know. I'll get back to you to let you know how it goes.

Help Me Live My Life

Sometimes I find it hard to make decisions.

Big decisions: Should I keep my apartment or move? Move to another place or another city or another continent? Small decisions: Do I stay inside where it's nice and warm or pull on sweats and go for a walk to begin the process of losing the 30 pounds I packed on in college? Do I eat brownies for breakfast or half a banana and yogurt? And medium decisions: Do I send out one more never-to-be-answered-resume-and-cover-letter, telling random company X why I am the person they want working for them or should I play a game of Sudoku where, at least, I'll succeed at something or do I spend that time trying to learn another language? Do I take my car into the dealership today to get the side view mirror fixed (the one that someone smashed while I was in a meeting the other night) or do I keep driving with the broken side mirror (I'm also missing my regular rear view mirror) because I'm just not too sure what bigger expense I'll have next week? You'll even get to weigh in on relationship decisions.

Whenever I have a decision to make, but inertia has set in, freezing my brain into a sticky pit of "I don't know!", I'll ask you to make my decision for me. Whatever you all decide, I'll do. Go ahead and kick my butt. Or simply tell me to sit down and chill. Tell me to wear that green sweater or go for the flowery skirt. I'll blog & tweet the question. You'll vote and I swear to follow whatever decision you've made. Whatever it is.

And I'll let you know what the fall out or the consequences are to every decision. Even the ones that end up some what embarrassingly.

Can some life decisions be better made by a majority vote? Give it a try and let's see how it goes. Then see if afterward, it changes how you live your own life.