A great opportunity that I passed on.

[ToddM]

My company is opening up an office in the minneapolis/st. paul area. I was asked friday by my boss's boss to apply for heading up the service division. I am sure the pay increase would be significant since I am not in management and this would be two or three steps up in the management rung depending on who I answered to. Ten years ago I would be beating down there door for the position. Musky fishing almost anytime I wanted right near my doorstep!!!!!!!

The problem is that My family is here and my kids live in eastern colorado. That would mean my family would not get to see my kids much and my granparents harldy ever if at all and visa versa. They have been emotionally and financially supportive through my divorce and the relocation battle of my kids and I could never do that to them. So I turned it down. How do I get myself in these positions? ^&#)&)@#$^#^%$)&(#%(&_#^%_*^*+_#%&#^%_*(#%&#^%@_** ()%)@(&^%$#@#$%^&*()$#@(*&$^@#$^*T@^(&$*&@#*$(@+#( @$)%&)#$*&$@&$%*^(@*#*(_)@$#%&^#$&*%@##(@&$*#+()_% &#%(^#)%&*(+^_)+@+_!*&!^&%$##!%$#%^@&%(*#(%)#_+)@( #*(_!&^!#&$^#*%&^@(&$*(@#(%)+_%#%*&@^&#*^*$!%^$#%^ *@&*%(#%#_*%^@(&^$%@^%%^&#%(*(%_#@*^%(@*%$^(@&%*() #_(@$@)+_$@_($*&@!*&^%!$$#!%!$^&@*$%(@)%_@+(#*!&^# %!#$%!#!^@$&*(@)($)_!+!(!*(&$^!#!$@#^~@#!^$&%*^&(* )@)(Q))()*)(^#*&%@$&%(^!&#*)!$*(@)(*&$&!$$$#!$%#^& !*$()_!__!#(*!&**$&*%&$^@(&$*(@$(@($_)^@$&%*$&)@*$ _)(_@#+@!_&@$*@%&#(^*&)!@(*_(+)!@#)_+@_+$(_@*&$&^@ %^@*&()*@_$(@)%#@$*&*^@#$%^&@$%*@$(&*)(%_)#$_#%)+_ (@$)*&@^#@!#!$^%#^&@*($%)!!!!!

[Jim McCullough]

Todd,

As hard as it was, It sounds like you made the right choice. If you ever want to come to Duluth and fish, you are always welcome in my boat.

[Esox Maniac]

Todd- You made the right choice. I had similar circumstance- moved to RI for two years- great job, but misery for the wife & family- Folks, Children & Grandchildren were all here in WI. Fortunately I had a really great boss & company- took $15k paycut & moved back- now working from home office. But the company paid for the entire move back :-)

If your boss's boss see's this potential in you, you'll be considered for promotion should opportunity come about locally- I'm sure he respects your reason for turning down the opportunity. Was going to Lac Courte Orielles today but cancelled. Yesterday was my birthday- grandkids (6 & 3) couldn't be here. So they're baking Papa a cake and bringing it over today :-) http://www.familyfirst.com Hope your Muskie fishin is hot!

"It's your choice to Catch'em & Let'em Go!"

>< ))))*>

[theedz155]

Todd-

I respect your decision. I know it was hard. I was in the same boat twice in the last two years and have had the opportunity to transfer to Eagle River, WI. I passed on both because the family wasn't ready yet. Hopefully someday sooner than later I'll be up there too.

Like esox said, if they offered it to you they obviously see the potential and another opportunity will come up again. In the meantime, enjoy you family.

Good Luck and Be Safe,

Scott

[Steve Van Lieshout]

As we all get swept up in the day to day aspects of our job, it is easy to miss the fact that no job should be in the top position of our lives. I have friends that have lost loved ones, and others that have developed life threatning illnesses. In each case, the comment about missing an opportunity that they can never get back, comes up over and over. Moving away must take into consideration the entire family both immediate and extended. Money and location can have its benefits, however they are minor compared to the other more important
parts of life. None of us know when our last day will be, live everyday as if it will be our last, because it maybe our last. Savor every moment, you can count the dollars later.
This is way to serious for this website, sorry.
Steve Van Lieshout

Move to VA + REALLY screw up!!!! Hunt the elusive PYGMY Musky....+ here "positioning" is everything! Actuaaly that is the reason for so many things wrong today; people doing what they want + not giving a tinkers daggone about anyone else...you did the right thing so rest assured things will pan out over time....guess you could tell I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night eh???:)

[ToddM]

Hey guys, thanks for all the support. They still want to pich me an offer but I am not going to accept it. I had another offer last year to move out west.

When I was younger and driving stock cars and chasing poon I had offers to move to appleton and wausau, wi. Just think, if I went to wausau, I would be 45 minutes closer to all of Jason Schillinger's spots!LOL

Thanks again.

[DocEsox]

I think you did the right thing too Todd. I am currently faced with a similar situation. Moving back to Alaska where financially it slam dunks anything in Montana (and I LOVE salmon fishing) or stay here where all the pluses are on the family side.

Money----family. Family wins almost everytime.

BrianW

[HerbB]

Todd, Good job on making the right decision. Family has to come first. Does anyone, when on their death bed, wish they had spent more time at work? :) Herb

Thats what divorce gets you! dont you ever listen to DR. Laura?