time to tinkle or get off the pot

sigh....so I'm pretty much having an emotional airing of the chaos swirling around in my head. I'm feeling scared (?) to make my next move. I just need a kick in the backside.

I've taken every class I can take without making a decision about one of two tracks.
How do I decide which to choose??? Each has pros and cons, one wins with my left brain and one with my right...depending on the criteria. One is better financial reward but higher risk, the other destines me to a life as second in command with no possibility to advance higher-ever. Even though I'm an idiot today, there WILL come a time when I know what's going on, and I don't know if I'm comfortable with the prospect of running my every move past someone for approval.

One is SUCH a long shot, the other a sure thing. If I decide on the harder long shot, it's possible that I could spend the next year and a half taking courses that count toward NOTHING....vs starting the other program and being on my way. The long shot is clearly the bigger reward career wise, but the bigger sacrifice of my personal life.

I've kept the specific details out of the question just because I think it would cloud things. I am seriously tortured with making this decision, made worse by 2 false starts in grad programs in the past couple of years. uppy_dog_eyes: My deadline for registration is November 8th...I have to decide by then.

 

Well I can't offer any advice, but know that you're not alone! I've put off making a decision re my next educational move (or deciding to do none at all) for too long now. I know how tough it is to make a decision, it's definitely not unusual.

 

These are always difficult choices. How big is the sacrifice on your personal life? Can you have A LOT of extra demands and still have time for fun, family, your marriage? I am never willing to put work above my personal life. Life is just to short.

Good luck with your decision,


Abner

 

The fact that you can make the decision shows the ability to be the command pilot! Otherwise, better stick with the second in command role. I'm sure YOU will make the correct decision! Best of luck!

 

If I read between the lines of your question it almost looks like you want to take the higher risk 'long-shot' program with the higher reward.

Run through both scenarios in your head and heart and see how you feel.

But again (and I am sorry for potentially crossing lines here) to me it looks like you may be more satisfied/fulfilled with the tougher choice.

Like a previous poster said - remember not to place anything above family and loved ones.

 

Yep, all of you are right. I guess it comes down to risk. If I risk the long shot, I still have more classes - more money- more time- and more pressure before I can even apply to that program. The "sure thing" is already waiting for me. No more prereqs, no more anything, just play and go. It would be easier (not as a job, as a path) because I have a lot of supporters as well as the ease that the schedule would mesh with my life. Couple night classes a week- a weekend here and there- no worries. The long shot is nothing but stress. Stress because after everything I still must do, it's possible that I won't get accepted into a program. It's possible that they say "online? Yeah right, next" and that's it. The sure thing readily acknowledges online learning as legitimate learning. And yet....I'm pretty sure I'd only be satisfied with the "sure thing" as a back up choice. I feel like that's insincere, maybe it is a bit. I guess I'm saying I'd be happy with either but I have a preference, and I don't think that's selfish. I can't say that though, because there is a HUGE divide between the two jobs, and if one side gets wind that you might want to be on the other side- fugeddabout it. So.... I'm here whining.

:Eyecrazy:

Delta- you're right, i need to make a freakin decision, the end.

 

What engineers and scientists do in a situation like this is perform a weighted trade study. I've never done one re educational options but done them for such things as buying a new home vs. extending it and buying/not-buying long term care insurance.

 

Define the standards by which you define your quality of life. Make your decisions based on these. What makes you tick? Is it career, kids, vacations, flea-markets, whatever... For me, now, it's a balance of time between work that I like and my personal life which I love. Career can not intrude too much on personal, otherwise there is an imbalance and I have to change careers. That's my 2 cents, from the ripe wise age of my late 20's.:lol:

Cook, you have given tons of advice to a lot of people on here, and a lot of us owe you thanks for the words of encouragement.

Just remember, you can only fail if you're wrong. :werd:

I value my personal life over my career, so I absolutely say go with the sure thing that doesn't take anymore away from your personal life. Not everyone agrees.

I do have to ask, though, what happened to your quote? As I remember it: "Realized inadequacy is my brick wall. All predictions of failure will be ignored." Am I remembering that right? Is this telling?

 

LOL...so I took my own advice (surprise surprise) and decided that I'm going to do what I want to do. As self-indulgent and narcissistic as it sounds, my problem is that I have been worried about taking certain classes to impress certain admission committees and other bull crap that is totally based on hearsay, myth, and fantasy! How this will look, how my age and distance learning looks..... I don't know why or how I fell into this trap, but I did. So, new plan is to return to the old me. I trust myself, I have in the past (generally) made good decisions- so I'm going with what I want. I'm going with the long shot, doing it on my own terms and in my own time. IF it ends up that the admission committees think my plan sucked, so be it. IF at the end I can get into one of the programs I want, so be it. Prediction of failure will be ignored. Worst case is I lose is some cash. Off I go. :drive:

 

Believe me, I know the agony you are going through! Look at the bright side, at least you have decisions to make and opportunities to chose from.

 

Good luck, Cook. I'll put some montage music on for you.

YouTube - South Park Montage song (lyrics)

 

LOL you made my morning, i have it playing in the background. You rock.