What's new
By:
Filters
Cystic Fibrosis Forum (EXP)

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Changes in my work schedule

L

lightNlife

New member
As some of you know, I work as an environmental scientist for a consulting firm. I love the flexibility of the job. However, the scariest part is that in consulting we have to be very proactive about bringing in work.

I've reached an interesting crossroads in my work. I'm no longer the "newbie" around here. I have excelled quickly and have had project managers who like my work a lot. This has translated into a nice succession of pay increases over the last couple years. Therein lies the good news and the bad news.

I'm getting to be too expensive for the projects I love the most. I'm faced with the decision to either actively seek out more work on other projects in the company (which may be more effort than I can afford to expend) or, resign myself to cutting back to a 32 hr/wk full-time status so that I am not struggling to fill the 40 hours each time with work that simply isn't there. Maybe this is only a dry spell and I'm reacting prematurely; however, this may be just the push I needed to really step back and put my health and marriage first and foremost. That isn't to say I've neglected them, but I'm a big believer in allocating my time wisely and maybe this is God's way of showing me how to change my perspective.

I had a feeling this day might be coming. As is usually the case, what I <b>want</b> to do and what I think I <b>should</b> do are not currently in sync at the moment. I will most certainly be bringing this up with my prayer group this evening to garner their support as I make a decision one way or the other.

Do any of you in CF-land have any suggestions or even similar experiences to share about how you made the choice to cut back on your commitments even before your health required it? I'd be interested in hearing from you.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
As some of you know, I work as an environmental scientist for a consulting firm. I love the flexibility of the job. However, the scariest part is that in consulting we have to be very proactive about bringing in work.

I've reached an interesting crossroads in my work. I'm no longer the "newbie" around here. I have excelled quickly and have had project managers who like my work a lot. This has translated into a nice succession of pay increases over the last couple years. Therein lies the good news and the bad news.

I'm getting to be too expensive for the projects I love the most. I'm faced with the decision to either actively seek out more work on other projects in the company (which may be more effort than I can afford to expend) or, resign myself to cutting back to a 32 hr/wk full-time status so that I am not struggling to fill the 40 hours each time with work that simply isn't there. Maybe this is only a dry spell and I'm reacting prematurely; however, this may be just the push I needed to really step back and put my health and marriage first and foremost. That isn't to say I've neglected them, but I'm a big believer in allocating my time wisely and maybe this is God's way of showing me how to change my perspective.

I had a feeling this day might be coming. As is usually the case, what I <b>want</b> to do and what I think I <b>should</b> do are not currently in sync at the moment. I will most certainly be bringing this up with my prayer group this evening to garner their support as I make a decision one way or the other.

Do any of you in CF-land have any suggestions or even similar experiences to share about how you made the choice to cut back on your commitments even before your health required it? I'd be interested in hearing from you.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
As some of you know, I work as an environmental scientist for a consulting firm. I love the flexibility of the job. However, the scariest part is that in consulting we have to be very proactive about bringing in work.

I've reached an interesting crossroads in my work. I'm no longer the "newbie" around here. I have excelled quickly and have had project managers who like my work a lot. This has translated into a nice succession of pay increases over the last couple years. Therein lies the good news and the bad news.

I'm getting to be too expensive for the projects I love the most. I'm faced with the decision to either actively seek out more work on other projects in the company (which may be more effort than I can afford to expend) or, resign myself to cutting back to a 32 hr/wk full-time status so that I am not struggling to fill the 40 hours each time with work that simply isn't there. Maybe this is only a dry spell and I'm reacting prematurely; however, this may be just the push I needed to really step back and put my health and marriage first and foremost. That isn't to say I've neglected them, but I'm a big believer in allocating my time wisely and maybe this is God's way of showing me how to change my perspective.

I had a feeling this day might be coming. As is usually the case, what I <b>want</b> to do and what I think I <b>should</b> do are not currently in sync at the moment. I will most certainly be bringing this up with my prayer group this evening to garner their support as I make a decision one way or the other.

Do any of you in CF-land have any suggestions or even similar experiences to share about how you made the choice to cut back on your commitments even before your health required it? I'd be interested in hearing from you.
 
A

Allie

New member
Luckily enough, Ry was forced to cut back when Ahava was born, since we decided he would be the one to stay home with her. Working out of the house, he couldn't pick up the big projects, and sometimes this frustrated him. The only thing I can really compare this to is when his health began to fail badly, and he needed to quit working, and he wouldn't. He was a stubborn soul, and didn't want to relinquish that.

But eventually, through discussions with me and the rest of this family, he began to see that it would be the most beneficial thing for him. I'm not saying that you need to cut back, but have you discussed this with your husband and family? maybe they could give you more insight into the situation.
 
A

Allie

New member
Luckily enough, Ry was forced to cut back when Ahava was born, since we decided he would be the one to stay home with her. Working out of the house, he couldn't pick up the big projects, and sometimes this frustrated him. The only thing I can really compare this to is when his health began to fail badly, and he needed to quit working, and he wouldn't. He was a stubborn soul, and didn't want to relinquish that.

But eventually, through discussions with me and the rest of this family, he began to see that it would be the most beneficial thing for him. I'm not saying that you need to cut back, but have you discussed this with your husband and family? maybe they could give you more insight into the situation.
 
A

Allie

New member
Luckily enough, Ry was forced to cut back when Ahava was born, since we decided he would be the one to stay home with her. Working out of the house, he couldn't pick up the big projects, and sometimes this frustrated him. The only thing I can really compare this to is when his health began to fail badly, and he needed to quit working, and he wouldn't. He was a stubborn soul, and didn't want to relinquish that.

But eventually, through discussions with me and the rest of this family, he began to see that it would be the most beneficial thing for him. I'm not saying that you need to cut back, but have you discussed this with your husband and family? maybe they could give you more insight into the situation.
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I agree with Allie. I am sure you will, if you have not already, discuss it with your husband, but I think it is important to not only think about it on your own but to get the perspective of others in your family/that know you.

I know I do not work, so I can not exactly give my perspective on cutting back in regards to work persay. I will say this though, I tried working at the beginning of the year. I just didn't see how it would be difficult for me at all. I was feeling well was on a good schedule with meds and everything. I didn't realize how much it required to work. Well I started working and started getting sick almost immediately.

After several month of fighting illness, losing weight, my life/health being out of control busy and everything, I had to make the decision to quit. I was only working part time, so I couldn't just cut back hours as I wasn't working that much to begin with.

It was hard for me to come to the decision as I didn't want to admit that CF was having that large of an effect on my life. I ultimately came to the decision that I needed to quit working and just focus on my health after I talked to my mom and Kurt in great detail about it. I also had to be totally and brutally honest with myself. Until that point I had walked around with the attitude like yeah yeah CF no problem I can handle whatever it won't effect me lol. I was stubborn - I had to step outside my stubborn mind and realize that it WAS the best thing for me to do. It was a difficult decision to come too because like you said you are having to choose between what you want to do and what you should do - or what you want and what is best for you. When those things are not the same it can make the decision difficult.

Once you are able to identify what you want (which I am sure you know - you seem very self aware) and what is best (by either your own mind or talking openly and honestly with the ones you love about it), then it comes down to the decision. I don't think there is really a right or wrong decision in this situation, but I would say that you need to make sure that if you feel it is best for you to work fewer hours, but you choose to continue working 40 hrs that you are okay with whatever results you may see from that choice. Whereas if you are thinking it may be best for you to cut back and you do cut back that you are okay with it mentally.

I know I had a hard time with it at first - my decision to not work - I felt kind of useless like I wasn't contributing to society. It took me a few weeks of focusing on my health to realize that it didn't matter if I was working as to whether or not I was useful (for 1) and that it was soooo entirely worth not working because I was feeling better when I didn't work.

It is an adjustment I am sure, but you are strong and we are here to support you if you need it. Just pray on it (which I know you will) and above all be TOTALLY honest with yourself and your husband when you talk about it (even if total honesty may mean bringing things up you don't like to talk about - it will help you to feel more confident in your decision at least it did with me).

Best of luck in making your decision. I will be thinking of you and praying for the decision to come with ease.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I agree with Allie. I am sure you will, if you have not already, discuss it with your husband, but I think it is important to not only think about it on your own but to get the perspective of others in your family/that know you.

I know I do not work, so I can not exactly give my perspective on cutting back in regards to work persay. I will say this though, I tried working at the beginning of the year. I just didn't see how it would be difficult for me at all. I was feeling well was on a good schedule with meds and everything. I didn't realize how much it required to work. Well I started working and started getting sick almost immediately.

After several month of fighting illness, losing weight, my life/health being out of control busy and everything, I had to make the decision to quit. I was only working part time, so I couldn't just cut back hours as I wasn't working that much to begin with.

It was hard for me to come to the decision as I didn't want to admit that CF was having that large of an effect on my life. I ultimately came to the decision that I needed to quit working and just focus on my health after I talked to my mom and Kurt in great detail about it. I also had to be totally and brutally honest with myself. Until that point I had walked around with the attitude like yeah yeah CF no problem I can handle whatever it won't effect me lol. I was stubborn - I had to step outside my stubborn mind and realize that it WAS the best thing for me to do. It was a difficult decision to come too because like you said you are having to choose between what you want to do and what you should do - or what you want and what is best for you. When those things are not the same it can make the decision difficult.

Once you are able to identify what you want (which I am sure you know - you seem very self aware) and what is best (by either your own mind or talking openly and honestly with the ones you love about it), then it comes down to the decision. I don't think there is really a right or wrong decision in this situation, but I would say that you need to make sure that if you feel it is best for you to work fewer hours, but you choose to continue working 40 hrs that you are okay with whatever results you may see from that choice. Whereas if you are thinking it may be best for you to cut back and you do cut back that you are okay with it mentally.

I know I had a hard time with it at first - my decision to not work - I felt kind of useless like I wasn't contributing to society. It took me a few weeks of focusing on my health to realize that it didn't matter if I was working as to whether or not I was useful (for 1) and that it was soooo entirely worth not working because I was feeling better when I didn't work.

It is an adjustment I am sure, but you are strong and we are here to support you if you need it. Just pray on it (which I know you will) and above all be TOTALLY honest with yourself and your husband when you talk about it (even if total honesty may mean bringing things up you don't like to talk about - it will help you to feel more confident in your decision at least it did with me).

Best of luck in making your decision. I will be thinking of you and praying for the decision to come with ease.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I agree with Allie. I am sure you will, if you have not already, discuss it with your husband, but I think it is important to not only think about it on your own but to get the perspective of others in your family/that know you.

I know I do not work, so I can not exactly give my perspective on cutting back in regards to work persay. I will say this though, I tried working at the beginning of the year. I just didn't see how it would be difficult for me at all. I was feeling well was on a good schedule with meds and everything. I didn't realize how much it required to work. Well I started working and started getting sick almost immediately.

After several month of fighting illness, losing weight, my life/health being out of control busy and everything, I had to make the decision to quit. I was only working part time, so I couldn't just cut back hours as I wasn't working that much to begin with.

It was hard for me to come to the decision as I didn't want to admit that CF was having that large of an effect on my life. I ultimately came to the decision that I needed to quit working and just focus on my health after I talked to my mom and Kurt in great detail about it. I also had to be totally and brutally honest with myself. Until that point I had walked around with the attitude like yeah yeah CF no problem I can handle whatever it won't effect me lol. I was stubborn - I had to step outside my stubborn mind and realize that it WAS the best thing for me to do. It was a difficult decision to come too because like you said you are having to choose between what you want to do and what you should do - or what you want and what is best for you. When those things are not the same it can make the decision difficult.

Once you are able to identify what you want (which I am sure you know - you seem very self aware) and what is best (by either your own mind or talking openly and honestly with the ones you love about it), then it comes down to the decision. I don't think there is really a right or wrong decision in this situation, but I would say that you need to make sure that if you feel it is best for you to work fewer hours, but you choose to continue working 40 hrs that you are okay with whatever results you may see from that choice. Whereas if you are thinking it may be best for you to cut back and you do cut back that you are okay with it mentally.

I know I had a hard time with it at first - my decision to not work - I felt kind of useless like I wasn't contributing to society. It took me a few weeks of focusing on my health to realize that it didn't matter if I was working as to whether or not I was useful (for 1) and that it was soooo entirely worth not working because I was feeling better when I didn't work.

It is an adjustment I am sure, but you are strong and we are here to support you if you need it. Just pray on it (which I know you will) and above all be TOTALLY honest with yourself and your husband when you talk about it (even if total honesty may mean bringing things up you don't like to talk about - it will help you to feel more confident in your decision at least it did with me).

Best of luck in making your decision. I will be thinking of you and praying for the decision to come with ease.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
T

tleigh

New member
i have recently had to cut back due to health and one of the major
considerations is this-is what i am working so hard at worth years
off of my life?  I came to the conclusion that I would be more
effective if i were around longer, healthier, etc.
 
T

tleigh

New member
i have recently had to cut back due to health and one of the major
considerations is this-is what i am working so hard at worth years
off of my life?  I came to the conclusion that I would be more
effective if i were around longer, healthier, etc.
 
T

tleigh

New member
i have recently had to cut back due to health and one of the major
considerations is this-is what i am working so hard at worth years
off of my life?  I came to the conclusion that I would be more
effective if i were around longer, healthier, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top