Ups and downs

My husband is an independent computer guru, handling both the software side of things (web design, logos, programming) and the hardware side of things (trouble shooting computer problems, setting up systems, server issues, etc). I help by handling some of the financial stuff, like keeping the books and paying the taxes. Business in the computer world is in a constant state of flux, where months are either really busy or really slow. We are currently in a state of "up" and it is hard to keep our schedules straight, while still finding time to spend with our kids.

This kind of schedule stress is still much easier to handle than the "big corporate world" kind. I am so fortunate to have my husband around most days and I wouldn't trade our current situation, even if it meant more money. Sure, he could do an online IT job search and find companies willing to pay top dollar for his knowledge. We have been there already and we prefer to be more in control of our work lives. Of course, corporate jobs are always part of "plan B" if business gets really slow for too long, but things have a way of working themselves out, and we haven't had to go down that road for almost three years so far.

Do what you like

A few years before moving to Eureka Springs, I had a typical job as a secretary in a big corporate office. Everyone was overworked, and we were definitely understaffed. You know, with situations like someone in your department quits, and rather than hire someone to fill the position, they just push all their duties on to other people to absorb within the department.

One of the parts that most people dread, especially managers, are the quarterly employee performance evaluations. It's not that we don't enjoy meeting with our managers, getting praise for a job well done, and possibly a raise... It's the lack of time to meet for the evaluation, coupled with rushing through it so everyone can have a turn and feeling like a number, rather than a person.

Fast forward seven years to the present, where I am now working my dream job at the library. Sure, the pay is much less, but when you love your job it truly makes all the difference. My stress level is lower, I am much happier, and I feel like I am contributing to my community. I get to use my quirky organizational skills (obsession!), and my odd knack at remembering names comes in very handy as well.

I guess in conclusion, I would just like to say that if you are unhappy and stressed in a job, it's not worth it. The risk to quit is huge, but things have a way of working themselves out and if you can find what you truly love, and make enough money doing it, you will feel happier and more "on track" with life.