A little while ago my dad Dean, made a choice that really stuck with me. He left his longtime job at a shipping company that handled cargo to start working somewhere else. Why? The new job paid more and gave him a better schedule. At first I didn’t get it he knew everyone at his old job and had been there for years. after he gave his justification we understood and supported him.
My Dad wasn’t chasing money just to have more of it. He wanted to be able to do more for us. The higher pay meant less stress about bills, more savings for the future and the ability to fix up things around the house without worrying about every cent. I could tell it gave him a sense of pride, like he was finally in a place to give us the kind of life he’s always wanted to. He got his new job that was very similar however paid more and had a better route for him. He also got more time to spend with the family and being more present in our lives instead of working as much.
That decision taught me something simple but real compensation isn’t just about money it’s about what that money and time can give you. For my dad, it gave him a chance to be more present and take care of us in a way that mattered to him.
