How long is too long???

[BradMM]

I know this is the same question asked over and over, perhaps in a slightly different way. How do you know when you've stayed in the same job TOO LONG!?! ...probably for the sake of all concerned, the employee as well as the employer.

I think I'm there.

 

[David1961]

It's probably different for everyone. I think intuitively most people just know at some level. For me, a biggie was that after taking a vacation and getting refreshed, I absolutely hated going back to work. Even to the point where I got nausea just thinking about it.

 

[BradMM]

I absolutely hated going back to work. Even to the point where I got nausea just thinking about it.

I felt that way this morning... not really nausea exactly but really yukky!

 

[rescueme]

How do you know when you've stayed in the same job TOO LONG!?!

Are you talking about the employer or a certain job/position with the employer?

I wo*ked for a global mega-corp for just under 30 years, but I didn't stay in the same position.

Organizations change - people change. They don't necessarily do the same thing at the same time.

Rough count (on my fingers and toes) I had more than a dozen "opportunities" that I took advantage of while employed there. Some I persued, some were just offered.

Like a long marriage, sometimes you just have to look at ways to "spice it up" along the way ...

 

[marko]

33 years with the same employer, however...ever 2-3 years they gave me something new and more challenging to do. was fun every single day.

 

[BradMM]

marko,

I've worked in the SAME job for 20 years - State job - with no opportunity for anything better because of the unique skills needed for what I do. Could have started over in a different area but I'd lose all that I gained. Couldn't change locations because my wife is also employed here and the family is all close by here.

Now, I think the "problem" is that I've heard the sirens call and there's no turning back!

 

[Live And Learn]

Are you talking about the employer or a certain job/position with the employer?

I wo*ked for a global mega-corp for just under 30 years, but I didn't stay in the same position.

Organizations change - people change. They don't necessarily do the same thing at the same time.

Rough count (on my fingers and toes) I had more than a dozen "opportunities" that I took advantage of while employed there. Some I persued, some were just offered.

Like a long marriage, sometimes you just have to look at ways to "spice it up" along the way ...

+1 !

I've been with the same MegaCorp since graduating college (25+ years). Never had a chance to get bored - have had many different opportunities within the firm.

Some days I absolutely hate my j*b, some days I tolerate it, some days I have fun (but there are not enough of those days anymore).

Most days I daydream about what I'd be doing if I weren't w*rking. Then I get a bout of anxiety wondering if I'm too young to retire and I put my head down and go back to my j*b !

 

[foxfirev5]

As I age it is getting harder and harder to stick to any long term task. Fortunately I'm able to switch tasks and do different things in my travels. That is my survival mode at this stage (600+/- days to go).
How long do you have to go? I think you may feel stuck due the circumstances and may resent the situation a little. If so I think we all go through that once in a while. In any event its your call.

 

[Onward]

You've been there too long when you start to feel like this:

 

[BradMM]

Thanks for the replies! I'm not stressed out, I'm BORED. I just want more out of life.

 

[Tree-dweller]

33 years with the same employer, however...ever 2-3 years they gave me something new and more challenging to do. was fun every single day.

Similar 33 years for me. It was fun...until it wasn't anymore. Last 5 years were high stress, confrontational, with a lot of travel. When the numbers said I could, I did.

 

[traineeinvestor]

I changed jobs in early 2009 largely because I was bored after after 14 years with the same firm doing the same work and dealing with the same issues over and over again.

The change has helped see me through the last few years before FIREing but wasn't sufficiently different to keep me feeling renewed for more than a year or so. Still, given how close I was to the finishing line, it was a better option than either taking a career break or doing some that was completely different but paid a lot less - in both cases I would have ended up delaying FIREing by several years. Sometimes you just have to suck it up.

 

[Bryan Barnfellow]

If you are bored, perhaps you could find some younger people in your company to mentor. Pass along your hard won wisdom and perspective.

 

[Moscyn]

I did not have to change jobs. My employer keep going into mergers and acquisitions. Changed its name and culture so many times and keeps my job nature interesting. Eventually, got bored with too many changes and also just got bored with having to work. So, I guess, it is not a question of how long one stays with a single employer - it just boils down to how long one wants to continue to work as opposed to ER.

 

[ducky911]

eight years...move on

 

[BradMM]

If you are bored, perhaps you could find some younger people in your company to mentor. Pass along your hard won wisdom and perspective.

Thanks, Bryan, but I have done this... many times. Now it's MY time!

 

[BradMM]

 

[T-bird]

The first time I saw this I felt that best explained my rational for SIRE'ing out in 2013. You just don't get the years back. I see way too many folks that hold on to the next 2% per year on their retirement check, they must have some information that they are going to live to 100. Now if that werer the case I might hang on for another year, well maybe, after long consideration no that just not my style.

T-bird
Class of 2013

 

[T-bird]

To respond to the OP. If you have to ask the questions you may already have the answer.

T-bird
Class of 2013

 

[BradMM]

To respond to the OP. If you have to ask the questions you may already have the answer.

T-bird
Class of 2013

I'm almost certain to be a Class of 2013 with you!!!

 

[Alan]

25 years with the same employer and I got bored many times but was able to switch jobs and sites on a fairly regular basis. I worked at 5 different sites in 3 different countries and changed jobs 7 times. Even so, the last 2 years were incredibly boring even though I had switched jobs and sites again to try and keep sane.

I knew I was in a job too long when I started logging onto this site during the work day

 

[T-bird]

I knew I was in a job too long when I started logging onto this site during the work day

Oh no is that a symptom of being ready to go!!!!

I've been suffering that one for a while now.

T-bird
Class of 2013

 

[nikon_d40]

Dalai Lama once said: When asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered " Man. Becasue he sacrifices his health in order to make money, then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived"

What an intelligent answer.

The bottomline is: Once you figured that you have enough to ER, maybe best to do so to enjoy your present and future.

 

[Retire2013]

It's probably different for everyone. I think intuitively most people just know at some level. For me, a biggie was that after taking a vacation and getting refreshed, I absolutely hated going back to work. Even to the point where I got nausea just thinking about it.

Did you change job? Or have you ER'd?

 

[Midpack]

I know this is the same question asked over and over, perhaps in a slightly different way. How do you know when you've stayed in the same job TOO LONG!?! ...probably for the sake of all concerned, the employee as well as the employer.

I think I'm there.

There's no universal answer, there are many moving parts - but you'll know when. It may be a relatively sudden 'significant emotional event' or it may gradually just dawn on you one day. You won't have to ask anyone when you're there...