The Bank Job

It is coming up on 10 years since I left my job at the bank.  I was 28 and had been there over 5 years.  I still question whether it was the right decision.  I had enjoyed my time at the bank, had lots of friends there and for the most part I was pretty happy.  The one little problem was that I couldn't find my niche. 

Here's a little look inside my head.  I am a numbers guy.  I don't like being a numbers guy.  Do you see a problem there?  I am an introvert.  Most people think introverts are shy or even rude.  We are not.  You see, when in a group of extroverts that are conversing, introverts aren't afraid to speak, we are just too busy analyzing what everyone else is saying.  Another issue that I have is that when someone ask me a question, rather than just answer it, my first thought is "Why are they asking me this?"  I will try to explain it like this:  while most people have 1 hamster wheel in their head, I have 15 vermin running endlessly.  I am good at numbers but my brain wants to be doing other things.

While at the bank, I was very good at what I did but I was bored.  Monotony is my arch-nemesis. My brain craves to be creative. Another issue was at 28, I felt I hadn't taken my shot. Looking back, I had turned down a great opportunity with the bank because I really didn't know what I wanted to do.  I did know that I didn't want to be doing numbers all the time and that was exactly what I was doing.

When the insurance company came calling, I turned them down the first time.  Six months later, they approached me again and lured me away with the promise of big money and a chance to do something different.  Since that time, I have bounced from job to to job, looking for my fit.  I have gained a lot of knowledge over those ten years and these jobs have taken to places I had never been:  New Haven, Sanibel Island, Sedona, Las Vegas and Chicago, just to name a few.  Knowledge and sight seeing are great but not fulfilling.

I recently started with a new company.  The odd thing is that it reminds me a lot the bank.  It has that friendly family feel to it.  Also, it will be 1/3 numbers, 1/3 sales, and 1/3 leadership.  A very good mix for my 15 hamsters wheels.  So, now I feel I have come full circle.  It has taken 10 years.  Did I make the right decision 10 years ago?  The answer is "I don't know." 

I can say that with my family and my faith in balance, it is a great feeling that my career has finally joined them, as well.