That is the question ...
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them”
- William Shakespeare
I am continually confronted by my own thoughts, "I was happy teaching. I enjoyed doing what I was doing. I was proud of what I was doing. I had no drama. I was motivated to go to work every day. I looked forward to going to work every day, even when expecting the worst day, or after the worst day. When I was asked, "what do you do," I typically responded enthusiastically, "I am a teacher!"
Let's review where I am.
Am I happy doing what I do now?
It is a job. There is a level of solitude and associated indifference. I am a cog in a machine.
Do I enjoy doing what I am doing?
It passes the time and pays the bills. It is not rewarding. I am a cog in a machine.
Am I proud of what I do?
There is a level of personal pride in accomplishment, but no longer with my role in the organization, society, or what I am contributing to the bigger picture. It is not something where I proudly state my role. I am a cog in a machine.
Is there drama?
There was not, until two new people from a former sweat shop (Cerner) joined the organization. Now we have drama. Now we have politics. Now we have gaslighting. Now we have finger-pointing. Now we have blame. Now we have people minimizing the efforts of others to make their own efforts look more appealing.
Am I motivated to go to work every day?
Only because I feel personally responsible. It is becoming increasingly difficult to wake up every day. This is a sure sign, for me, that this is no longer a fit.
Do I look forward to going to work every day?
Yes, in that I can complete tasks and enjoy the company of some of those that I work with. No, in that I do not enjoy the recent drama, politics, etc. I also do not enjoy communicating and teaching those that refuse to learn for themselves, or generating analysis that mostly only serves to find fault with others. Expecting the worst day, I would rather sleep in. After the worst day, I would rather sleep forever.
When asked, "what do you do," now I respond that I am simply a bean counter and nothing more.
Some of the decision comes down to money and retirement. Teacher compensation is awful. However, my current compensation is not a whole lot better. It does afford a higher level of existence. Or does it? Is it really worth trading personal happiness for a few tens of thousands of dollars?
Add to all of this, I noted this morning that they again posted a role that I had hoped to take on, which was nearly promised to me in the beginning. It has become increasingly apparent that I am not needed or wanted in such a role. It is the same as ever. Stay where you are and do what you do. That is sufficient to their needs. It is not sufficient to my own.