I'm on the chopping block for a layoff at work, it hinges on the executives' appetite to continue to invest in future-proofing projects. The department I manage is all about "the future", not operational "keep lights on". I'm either going to be really busy because I have to get rid of my staff and have to run everything on my own or I will have no department and be at home on unemployment. I'm not sure which situation is better, to be honest, in times like these it's good to have a job. But I started to think "what if" and honestly, I'm not any happier than I was when I was making half the money I am now. I'm a builder and a creative person and my job doesn't really allow that - not the extent that makes me happy. lol
I think if I suddenly have time on my hands, I will update my web development and web marketing skills and get back into that field full-time (I've been in management for a while now). I could work remotely full-time performing SEO work and/or web development (react.js front-end development to be exact). I'm also thinking I could start a small consulting company to help businesses convert their workforce into work-from-home to cut overhead costs and help resolve some BCP/DR issues around IT.
Anyway, it's a bit of a situation that is forcing us to think "is this life really worth it"? Wife and I are seriously considering changing our careers so we don't have to be in an office 955 so we can buy a hobby farm somewhere that would allow us to pay for it in cash (obviously not in the GTA lol) and just live a simple life.
What I've realized is that we are nothing to the companies we work for, generally speaking - there are some exceptions. No one should ever have to work harder than they should because at the end of the day they are nothing more than a 10mm socket in a toolbox. Once worn out, it's thrown out and replaced. I fooled myself for most of my life thinking that if I work my fingers to the bone, I will be appreciated and rewarded. Far from the truth. The trick is perception and really it's all a political play, not really about the work. I've been trying to play those office games, it makes me sick inside. I'd rather be in a position where intelligence + hard work = value. I can fit a very productive 8 hour day into 4 hours. I have no choice to do short bursts of intense work because my ADD kicks into high gear and nothing gets done if I have to do a "normal" 8 hour day LOL. As a dev, I used to do 20 hour weeks and do as much work as my collegues doing 40 hours. LOL I miss those days of pure tomfoolery.
A bit of an existential crisis on my end, it's been happening for years now, slowly eating away at my soul but with the force majeure that's happening, really puts things into perspective. Any similar stories with you guys?