The offer was for more money. We live in a society that says money solves all our problems right? Retail therapy, investments (making life easier in the future), Security (property and health) These are all extrinsic things money can provide for us which is why when I got the job offer to change companies for higher pay doing similar work I thought its was a no brainer! This crucial choice is encountered by almost anybody in the workforce as we are constantly trading time for money everyday. While we hope our work brings us; joy, desire, dignity, and passion often times it is just to “pay the bills.” The most important first question we have when looking for or applying for a job is “what is the compensation?” This initial answer will enable us to understand if we can afford the lifestyle we want by trading our time at this job. When I was offered much higher wages at a competing company I gladly accepted the offer for many of the above reasons. I did not do my research of think intrinsically of all the things that were bringing me gratification at the current company.
Fast forward to being in my new job. I immediately noticed the atmosphere and culture was much different at this company, less comradery. This was a red flag as well as there seeming to be a high turnover rate. I soon realized this was because upper management were not the most desirable or pleasurable people to work for. This made the increased compensation feel not worth the change because while externally I was obtaining more, internally I was feeling burnt out and not appreciated. I continued to suffer through this job because it was a decision I had chosen to make and I would see it through and try to make better of the situation.
Eventually things weighed on me too much and no longer was the increased monetary compensation seeming worth my mental struggle at this company. They continued to increase pressure on workers without having any care for feedback and things started to crumble apart. I soon realized I would not want to move up in this company and become a despised manager. I decided to look for a new job, this time while paying attention to compensation also paying attention to company culture. I finally found myself with an out that offered less financial compensation but a better quality business model which I enjoyed more and was able to progress in my career. I learned from this that while time is money there is additional forms of compensation that matter more!
