Life Altering Decisions Need to be made

Hello~

DB here. I just need to have like a lot of second opinions on something that I'm really struggling with at the moment. It's sort-of like the devil's choice scenario...or schrodinger's cat if you want to visualize something less horror-y.

So, in my current situation I have to make a decision that could either make or break the path of my life. (Sounds dramatic, I know, but also...pretty accurate(?)😅)

I recently got a new job (thank goodness, Finally! After my year long hiatus in the workforce, I need to start earning money again >.>) and the pay is a little higher than my old job and the work is very easy. I just don't know how much I would like it five years from now since it's pretty mundane than the work I'm used to and there's not a lot of action than when I used to run things my way, but hey, I'm the newbie so starting over means getting used to new things. That being said, I just got this job roughly a month ago. I'm still on my probationary period. 

The dilemma.

I found out last week that I got accepted to this (so the internet or their website says) competitive service here in the US for AmeriCorps and I would need to relocate to NY (I live in Sunnyside California haha) This was (still is really) something I wanted to do during the pandemic to sort of give drive/direction to my life. I've always wanted to live in NY and the work I would be doing with the kids is something I find really rewarding. The problem is they only give a stipend that's 60% less than what I already make, so it's a huge cut on what I'm used to earning. Again, that's a stipend not a salary. The service is usually, according to the people in service, a 12-hr day thing which I'm no stranger to so that's not a problem for me. 

The problem is the pros and cons are balanced for me at this point and idk what to do. Should I risk what I have now, which pretty good considering I'm still in probation and quite easy since it's all very basic admin work, to go to NY alone and do a service which I may or may not like (based on who my team leader is cause you never know). The benefits of finishing the service is really great. I get a 6k education award i could use to pay off my loans and possibly a scholarship to their partnered universities for grad school. However, that is on the condition that I finish the service. That being said, I already have a job that pays pretty good and could possibly advance in (how - I'm not really sure and I feel like it's not something I see myself doing 10 years later).

Would you risk a sure and stable life for something that might be really great but could also quite possibly be one of the worse decisions in your life that you'd regret later...play it safe or risk it all?

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rainbow-peach #1
DB LET ME CHAT YOU GOSH but im so proud of you nonetheless for everything that has been offered to you!! Like seriously this is all you ever asked for before!! 💕💕💕💕💕 you are amazing!!
smile-with_happiness #2
Hi, DB
Honestly, taking risks is something I truly believe is a part of life. Ask yourself this question when making your choice "If I leave this job will I ask myself what if? What if I stayed? If I stay will I ask myself What if I left?" If the answer to either of them is yes that's the choice for you.
If you never ask yourself the what if question, or if you find yourself daydreaming about how your life could go you'll end up stuck in the same place, doing the same thing for the rest of your life. And again is that something you want? Do you really want to be stuck with something you may end up hating simply because it's comfortable and pays more, or do something you seem interested in that you have a strong possibility falling in love with? Good luck hun.
OdetteSwan #3
Hi DB,
Since this is a life-changing decision. Let me walk you thru Decision Analysis.
Steps in decision making:
1. State purpose of decision: Select the best job that will provide a comfortable lifestyle and provide opportunities for growth. (Change this purpose based on your cirvumstances)
2.Set criteria: Example: monthly pay, living costs, relocation cost, working time, vacation leave, career opportunities, etc.
3. Classify the criteria into Musts and Wants. Musts are mandatory and must be measurable. They are used to eliminate alternatives. Example: Monthly pay at least $xxxx. Relocation cost not more than $xxxx, etc. The other type is Wants, nice to have. You may give them weights. Example: offers highest pay, offers more vacation leaves, least working hours. Give the most important Want a weight of 10. The kowest weight is 1.
4. Alternatives: Present Job and NY job.
5. Evaluate the alternatives against the Musts first. This is just a go-no go evaluation. If one of the jobs got a no go, even for one Must, It is eliminated.
6. If both jobs passed the Musts, evaluate against the Wants. Score each based on Wants criteria. The one with highest score is the tentative choice.
7. Assess the tentative choice for possible risks. Answer the question: What could possibly go wtong if you take this job? Assess the probability and seriousness of each risk. Exampke: might get bored with the job within a year.
8. Make your final decision based on the benefits (highest score) and the risks(least risks).
I hope this helps.
If you want an illustration, I can email an example to you.
daniel227 #4
that's tough DB... do you still have time to think about it? since you've mention you're still on probation? i believe risk is part of our journey when you said pros and cons are balance try to think of what could possibly break the tie... it's not easy to leave the life you live for so long, it is your comfort zone but i guess it isn't bad to try new things that will bring you growth...
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