Changing your life for the better. (Public entry)
In January of 2009, I was a manager for Chili's in the greater Dallas area. I was making very good money, but I was working 55-60 hours per week and my work environment was volatile at best. I made the decision on New Year's Day that either things would improve dramatically, or I would not be working in that restaurant or possibly even with the company anymore by my birthday in October.
I spoke to my Area Director about changing my status to what Brinker considers "Part Time", by reducing my hours to 4 days per week, but still salary. He said that I would probably have to move, but I told him that by gaining an extra day for myself, I would be a happier and more productive employee, and he agreed.
By March, my status had not changed. My AD said that it would probably take until April, but he had spoken to the VP and they were trying to find a spot for me in another restaurant. The following week, Brinker went through some major upper management changes. The president of On The Border was laid off and the president of Chili's took over his role as well as his own. 11 Area directors in DFW were laid off between Chili's & OTB and they merged the two almost completely.
My super badass awesome AD (One of the 2 bosses I've had that actually showed their appreciation for me) was moved to a different area and we got a new AD from OTB.
Pretty much as soon as this happened, almost everything started going downhill. Not just at work, but at home as well.
On March 26, 2009, my beloved Lizzie - a 5 year old Boxer, died suddenly and unexpectedly one morning as I was getting ready for the day. This was probably one of the biggest emotional blows I have ever taken. It took a while to compose myself enough to make a phone call to let them know that I was taking a coupe of days off whether they authorized it or not. I always mention in job interviews how important my dogs are to me. When I was assigned to this particular location, I told the GM the same thing: If something ever happens to one of my dogs, I'm not going to be at work for a few days. He told me "Well, I'm not going to back you up.", so having remembered that fact, I called the new AD and told him, and he OK'd for me to take off for the next 2 days.
This situation created a lot of stress with me, because I had just lost one of my 'kids', and the GM was mad because I went over his head, although it was really his own fault for being so insensitive. He never should have made that statement when I started, or that never would have happened. This for me, was the beginning of the end. Over the next 2 months, the new AD decided that he wasn't going to get my status changed, because he didn't want to lose me to another area. To me, that seemed like a poor business decision, because it was leaving me where he wanted me, but it was making me miserable. I still to this day cannot understand why you would intentionally keep someone in an unhappy work environment if you have the ability to fix it for your employee.
On Memorial Day (May 25) 2009, I was closing the restaurant, and about 6pm, being a holiday and a Monday it was fairly slow. I had the fleeting idea that I may just make that my last day. I thought about the repercussions for the next couple of hours. I didn't mention it to anyone, I just contemplated what I would do "if"...
By 10pm I had made my decision. I did my regular closing responsibilities, wrote my resignation letter, closed the restaurant as usual, left my keys on the desk, locked up as I left and never went back.
It was liberating, and I felt a huge relief that I never had to go back to those experiences. Yes, I chose to walk away from over $4k/mo, and I probably left them in a bad position, but I had to make a choice: Was I going to continue being miserable, overworked, unappreciated and unhappy with my life, or start over and try again.
I'll take the Do-Over, please!
I spent the next 2 months looking for a job, but couldn't find anything suitable in the area I was living in, and I did not want to commute an hour or more each way. I decided that living in Waco (Being a military brat, it's as much of a home town as I have..) was considerably cheaper to live, especially since I knew that at least for a while, I could live for free in my parents guest room.
This was something else I had to really consider. 37 years old and moving back in with my parents? Laughable! After living without a job for 2 months, it actually started looking pretty sweet. I knew that Fez, my remaining dog would have live-in babysitters as well as 2 new playmates in their dogs. I wouldn't have to worry about utilities, rent or cable/internet while I was there, and my parents aren't getting any younger. They could always use help with stuff, so it would benefit them to a degree as well. My relationship with my parents is OK, not great, but it's improved over the years and we get along fine most of the time, so I decided to move back.
I started working in a bar right away, but after about 6 months it started to feel like it was time to do something productive again. I have worked on & off in medical laboratories, hospitals, and blood centers for about 13 years and had worked my way up to being a supervisor, but couldn't go any higher because I wasn't licensed to work on the technical side. I decided to see about re-joining the AF Reserves because their training qualifies for national licensure and I wouldn't have to pay for it. Re-enlisting these days is a tough game, and when it started to stress me out, I started looking at just attending the local college for the same program.
As it turns out, being an honorably Discharged Veteran, I qualify for the Hazlewood Act, which is a tuition/fee waiver to any state funded college/university in Texas for up to 150 semester hours. So essentially, I get the same deal and don't have to go anywhere. I'll take it!
If you had told me 15 months ago that I would be back living in Waco and attending school Full-Time, I would have laughed.
Part of the reason I decided to take the risk was because I wanted to have the time to do the things that I wanted to do. I started writing a book, I've been on vacation to Mexico TWICE, and I was an extra in a movie (Starring Tony Hale, Amy Acker, Robyn Lively, John Billingsley and Jeremy Sisto, among others.) which led to being a featured extra in an upcoming TV show on FOX starring Jon Voight. (Pilot airs on Sept 20, I was in episode 2 so I assume it will be on Sept. 27).
I made a drastic life change to improve the quality of my life and to give myself the opportunity to do the things that make life enjoyable. Had I not taken that risk by quitting my job that day in May, I would not have had the opportunities that I have in front of me today. Don't get me wrong, it was a very scary time for a couple of months while I was unemployed. I also had a backup plan, which is how I ended up in Waco. However, I have learned that sometimes backup plans are the best way to go, even if it doesn't seem like it when you're making up "Plan A".
I should mention that I am divorced and have no human kids. My dogs are my children, and they are just as important to me as if they were human. They are the only other obligations that I have (other than the usual), so as long as their needs are taken care of, I didn't have anyone else to worry about or care for. I understand that most people have other additional family obligations. Sometimes making major changes in your life affect other people as well, and those should be considered. I'm not recommending that everyone go out and quit their job on a whim. For most people, that would be a very very bad idea. However, I stand by my belief, that no matter how big or small the change may be.. If you have the ability to make a positive change in your life, you should absolutely 100% do it.
I spoke to my Area Director about changing my status to what Brinker considers "Part Time", by reducing my hours to 4 days per week, but still salary. He said that I would probably have to move, but I told him that by gaining an extra day for myself, I would be a happier and more productive employee, and he agreed.
By March, my status had not changed. My AD said that it would probably take until April, but he had spoken to the VP and they were trying to find a spot for me in another restaurant. The following week, Brinker went through some major upper management changes. The president of On The Border was laid off and the president of Chili's took over his role as well as his own. 11 Area directors in DFW were laid off between Chili's & OTB and they merged the two almost completely.
My super badass awesome AD (One of the 2 bosses I've had that actually showed their appreciation for me) was moved to a different area and we got a new AD from OTB.
Pretty much as soon as this happened, almost everything started going downhill. Not just at work, but at home as well.
On March 26, 2009, my beloved Lizzie - a 5 year old Boxer, died suddenly and unexpectedly one morning as I was getting ready for the day. This was probably one of the biggest emotional blows I have ever taken. It took a while to compose myself enough to make a phone call to let them know that I was taking a coupe of days off whether they authorized it or not. I always mention in job interviews how important my dogs are to me. When I was assigned to this particular location, I told the GM the same thing: If something ever happens to one of my dogs, I'm not going to be at work for a few days. He told me "Well, I'm not going to back you up.", so having remembered that fact, I called the new AD and told him, and he OK'd for me to take off for the next 2 days.
This situation created a lot of stress with me, because I had just lost one of my 'kids', and the GM was mad because I went over his head, although it was really his own fault for being so insensitive. He never should have made that statement when I started, or that never would have happened. This for me, was the beginning of the end. Over the next 2 months, the new AD decided that he wasn't going to get my status changed, because he didn't want to lose me to another area. To me, that seemed like a poor business decision, because it was leaving me where he wanted me, but it was making me miserable. I still to this day cannot understand why you would intentionally keep someone in an unhappy work environment if you have the ability to fix it for your employee.
On Memorial Day (May 25) 2009, I was closing the restaurant, and about 6pm, being a holiday and a Monday it was fairly slow. I had the fleeting idea that I may just make that my last day. I thought about the repercussions for the next couple of hours. I didn't mention it to anyone, I just contemplated what I would do "if"...
By 10pm I had made my decision. I did my regular closing responsibilities, wrote my resignation letter, closed the restaurant as usual, left my keys on the desk, locked up as I left and never went back.
It was liberating, and I felt a huge relief that I never had to go back to those experiences. Yes, I chose to walk away from over $4k/mo, and I probably left them in a bad position, but I had to make a choice: Was I going to continue being miserable, overworked, unappreciated and unhappy with my life, or start over and try again.
I'll take the Do-Over, please!
I spent the next 2 months looking for a job, but couldn't find anything suitable in the area I was living in, and I did not want to commute an hour or more each way. I decided that living in Waco (Being a military brat, it's as much of a home town as I have..) was considerably cheaper to live, especially since I knew that at least for a while, I could live for free in my parents guest room.
This was something else I had to really consider. 37 years old and moving back in with my parents? Laughable! After living without a job for 2 months, it actually started looking pretty sweet. I knew that Fez, my remaining dog would have live-in babysitters as well as 2 new playmates in their dogs. I wouldn't have to worry about utilities, rent or cable/internet while I was there, and my parents aren't getting any younger. They could always use help with stuff, so it would benefit them to a degree as well. My relationship with my parents is OK, not great, but it's improved over the years and we get along fine most of the time, so I decided to move back.
I started working in a bar right away, but after about 6 months it started to feel like it was time to do something productive again. I have worked on & off in medical laboratories, hospitals, and blood centers for about 13 years and had worked my way up to being a supervisor, but couldn't go any higher because I wasn't licensed to work on the technical side. I decided to see about re-joining the AF Reserves because their training qualifies for national licensure and I wouldn't have to pay for it. Re-enlisting these days is a tough game, and when it started to stress me out, I started looking at just attending the local college for the same program.
As it turns out, being an honorably Discharged Veteran, I qualify for the Hazlewood Act, which is a tuition/fee waiver to any state funded college/university in Texas for up to 150 semester hours. So essentially, I get the same deal and don't have to go anywhere. I'll take it!
If you had told me 15 months ago that I would be back living in Waco and attending school Full-Time, I would have laughed.
Part of the reason I decided to take the risk was because I wanted to have the time to do the things that I wanted to do. I started writing a book, I've been on vacation to Mexico TWICE, and I was an extra in a movie (Starring Tony Hale, Amy Acker, Robyn Lively, John Billingsley and Jeremy Sisto, among others.) which led to being a featured extra in an upcoming TV show on FOX starring Jon Voight. (Pilot airs on Sept 20, I was in episode 2 so I assume it will be on Sept. 27).
I made a drastic life change to improve the quality of my life and to give myself the opportunity to do the things that make life enjoyable. Had I not taken that risk by quitting my job that day in May, I would not have had the opportunities that I have in front of me today. Don't get me wrong, it was a very scary time for a couple of months while I was unemployed. I also had a backup plan, which is how I ended up in Waco. However, I have learned that sometimes backup plans are the best way to go, even if it doesn't seem like it when you're making up "Plan A".
I should mention that I am divorced and have no human kids. My dogs are my children, and they are just as important to me as if they were human. They are the only other obligations that I have (other than the usual), so as long as their needs are taken care of, I didn't have anyone else to worry about or care for. I understand that most people have other additional family obligations. Sometimes making major changes in your life affect other people as well, and those should be considered. I'm not recommending that everyone go out and quit their job on a whim. For most people, that would be a very very bad idea. However, I stand by my belief, that no matter how big or small the change may be.. If you have the ability to make a positive change in your life, you should absolutely 100% do it.