Resignation

[Jallan]

I think it all depends on a lot of things. It sounds like you were fed-up and stressed out on your job. It's bad enough that most of us have to work 8 hours or more a day. Having a job that you hate will take it's toll on you sooner than later.

Going back to school, a part time job, and playing more pool sounds good to me. How does your wife feel about not seing you much? Johnnyt

With me not having to work 10 hour days and not driving and hour each way to work I think she will, in reality, see more of me. When she does see me I shouldn't be as stressed, and you are right about that.

Maybe she won't want me around as much.

 

[olauzon]

one of the better things i've heard on this forum for a long time, and that doesn't play down on what else is said here; it means your descision was awsome. w/o knowing your previous work situation, this i have a feeling will be one of the moves you'll appreciate the most.

cheers on ya

 

[alstl]

To spend nearly 40% of my life working for the same company and only being 25 makes me as nervous as anything. I don't want to raise a family without a degree. The pool is just a side bar really; I am more looking for validation that my decision to better myself is the right one. I manage to get in 20 hours a week now but it is bad time spent. I am always so stressed about work I couldn't focus on what I was doing. I don't get stress about school like like that. No one can fire you from learning.

I admire you for picking it back up after that long... That takes as much nerve as changing jobs, I'm sure. Thanks for the opinion and kind words.

Pool is fun, punching a clock for over 30 years wasn't. My motto was "It's your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude".

 

[our_auctionguy]

To be blunt and to the point...I think you need to lose reason #2 for quitting and make sure that you really have a roadmap for getting your education in as little as time as possible. With the recession looming, a lot of people will return to school for advanced degrees because they are having trouble finding a good job or to be more competitive in the job market over the next few years. I just left a company where 90 % of the newhires were right out of college and had to have 3.5 GPAs or above. The horror stories of how much debt they are carrying from school is scary. Some well over $100K. Of course, some of them did nothing but borrow all the way through and not work like you plan to. Then again, some finished their degrees in 3 to 3-1/2 years and were very competitive as candidates. If it costs the same tuition to do 18 hours in a semester as 12-15 (full time tuition), calculate how much $ and time you would save by putting the extra time into studies and graduatng earlier. You might even see that attending school more and working less would be more cost beneficial in the long run. "Spending more time on pool" should be the last thing on one's mind if they are serious about school. I am really curious what you plan to study.

Good luck in whatever route you and your wife decide to take. Mine got preganant twice while I was in school which caused my education to take a few job detours along the way. All I had to do was look at her and she would get pregnant. Funny how that sometimes happens!!!

 

[TX Poolnut]

Today, I submitted my resignation to my employer. I have been working for the same company since 98; I was 16 when I started. I began as a bus boy, and worked my way up to management and a salary, with bonuses, adding up to 43,000 a year. I have two reasons for the resignation. 1. I want to return to school and get my degree. And I'm sure you all guessed 2. I want to focus more on pool. I figure that my wife has finished nursing school and is holding a steady job making nearly what I am and I will not be able to work 50+ hours a week and focus on school. So, I go back to waiting tables, take a few classes and really crack down on my pool game.

My question: Am I a complete idiot? I have this gut feeling that says I am either nervous about the change or making a huge mistake.

I only gave you the details because I want an honest opinion of if I made the right call and what I can expect from the refocusing of priorities.

No kids to support and the wife makes enough to keep us comfortable so the money is really not a huge issue as long as I bring in like 450 a week.

Oh, and I had great insurance too.

Always in life, only regret the thing you DIDN'T do.

 

[Jallan]

Blinders

Good luck in whatever route you and your wife decide to take. Mine got preganant twice while I was in school which caused my education to take a few job detours along the way. All I had to do was look at her and she would get pregnant. Funny how that sometimes happens!!!

You are correct on your observation of point number two and I assure you it was not the driving factor in the decision.

Please don't look at my wife.

Thanks
Jered

 

[mantis99]

I totally agree with OUR_ACTIONGUY. If number 1 really is the main reason you are doing it, then you are making a wise decision, especially if your new career pays more. But I would make the school thing a full time thing while working as much as you need to. Pool would then come in as allowed after that. Quiting to concentrate on pool I think would be a bad idea. There just simply is not much of a future in it. Chasing your dreams and having fun have their place, but they must be balanced. Now is the age where you can begin to set yourself up financially, so you do not want to waste anymore time than you have to.

 

[ironman]

You are correct on your observation of point number two and I assure you it was not the driving factor in the decision.

Please don't look at my wife.

Thanks
Jered

I feel like one hell of person to give advice, but, I thnnk I know a little of how you feel as I went back to school at 31 years old. Education is so greatly important and few will argue against it. I congratulate you for your decision.
I spent my entire 20's wanting to be the best pool player on the planet and have coutless, priceless memories of that time. I never got with the game where I thought I should, but did play pretty good at times. I spent about 20 years ontheroad or relyingon pool for my income.
At 44 years old I just burned out and it became as painful as a full time job. SO,Igave it up and took a job with a national corp and moved up in the company at a meteoric pace and was earning great money and life was pretty good.
During this period, I totally gave the game up. I never went to the pool room and never played onegame or hit one ball for 9 years. Did I miss it? Of course I did but I also liked the challenge ofmy new career and was afraid that if I hitone single ball, I would be right back where I was.
However as I became more and more the company man, I began todislike myself and what I had become more and more. I had to go into one town and close down a branch andgive 38 people walking paperswithout even 54 minutes notice. Some had been there for as long as 28 years. I was firing people who were dedicated and loyal for many, many, BS reasons. Also, the 60 plus hours each week were wearing me down and having an effect onmy health.
Finally, I just couldn't take much more and realised that most corporate heads were just as ruthless as many I had known in the pool world. One day I was ordered to fire a guy for t he simple reason that they wanted to promote a younger guy and that is when I told them to stick it. Do I regret that? Sometimes yes.
There are though regrets in almost every major decision we face. I guess they are supposed to be hard.
My concern for you and my advice, is keep it a game and not a job. You will enjoy it more and not carry near the stress that comes with it. Pool is a good game surrounded by lots of good people. It is fun and supposed to be fun. You willbe rewarded far more for 6 months in the classroom than for 6 months in the ppol room. But, who says you can't do both? Just keep things in their proper perspective and keep a good balance. Please?
I wish you and your wife well.

 

[MikeJanis]

If its any help.........?

Back in 1990 my boss at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Cleveland ( I worked in the Accounting Dept.) told me I had to stay late to help finish with an audit. I told him I had previous plans and that my pool team was playing in the playoffs to get a chance to play for 10 grand and I couldn't let my friends down. He told me I could stay or leave but if I left I was not to come back.

I have not had a job outside of the billiard industry since then and I do not regret a minute of it.

 

[Ltldebbie]

Just my story

Our lives have very few similiarities, other than the fact that I started working very young as well. I started before I could even drive at 14.

I was married, graduated, and had my first child in 1969. It was during the Viet Nam war and my husband was promptly drafted. I began to travel the states and then the world following him around. Those years changed him and my generous hard working H became isolated and stingy.

Remember, in those days there were no food stamps, only commodities programs and if you were in the Army you couldn't even get those. Why, because the Army takes care of their own. Or that's what I was told.

I was desparate. I lived off base on Ozmun Avenue right outside of gate three in Lawton OK. I had a baby and essentially no husband and what??

I was pregnant again. I got $130 for my allotment and my rent with utilities paid was $120. I didn't even have a bank account. I just gave my landlord my check and he gave me $10.

What could a cute little blond do to support her family with $10. The only thing I could figure out was to send it in at the Pool Hall. I was lucky at 18 I could legally go into the Pool Halls and Bars but my H couldn't. He was no help anyway so no harm no foul, he also couldn't get in my way.
I could barely run two balls but those good ole boys knew I was just out getting milk for the babies. I'm sure they let me win. But I kept getting better. I've never been hurt or gone hungry in a Pool Hall. I still love the game & gotta go now and play some.

Jay is right. Do what your heart requires. I now have and education.
I can make good money if I want. Usually I just make OK money because I'm still learning about boundaries and I won't take care of the world anymore. Happy in the mountains. Just MHO.

 

[avmaster]

Go forth with vigor....

Life is choices. Some good some not. If you have the support of your women, go to it. Pool hustling for me was a means to an end, not an end to means. When I got a family, kids that is, it ended. Life is very short. Enjoy every minute, but do it as a pair. Always be totally honest with the woman. I never got a degree, has held me back in many ways.........

Go for it man, and good luck...........

 

[Jallan]

Thank you to everyone for offering opinons and advice. It means a lot to know that I have so many peers that have dealt with similar situations and had to make similar decisions.

And just to clarify, going on the road was never an option... My God, she would tie me up.

Thank you all again.

 

[JimS]

Follow your heart. It will take you where your head says is crazy to go but you'll be a happy man. It's about being happy and if your partner is ok with it then you should be too. She's giving up a lot to see you better yourself. Treat her with the respect she deserves.

This is my 3rd marraige. The first two ended in divorce and this one is almost 25 years old now and I think it's dong well because I say my wedding vows every morning. It takes me back to that day and how beautiful she was and how much I loved her and I instantly forget anything that might have dulled that memory.

 

[Cuaba]

College is a great place to improve your game. Go to a school that participates in ACUI Pocket Billiards competitions. That is when I became a serious player. You are only in class about 15 hours a week. Make sure the school has a good pool room with cheap rates for students.

Get a degree and become a player.

 

[JDB]

Today, I submitted my resignation to my employer. I have been working for the same company since 98; I was 16 when I started. I began as a bus boy, and worked my way up to management and a salary, with bonuses, adding up to 43,000 a year. I have two reasons for the resignation. 1. I want to return to school and get my degree. And I'm sure you all guessed 2. I want to focus more on pool. I figure that my wife has finished nursing school and is holding a steady job making nearly what I am and I will not be able to work 50+ hours a week and focus on school. So, I go back to waiting tables, take a few classes and really crack down on my pool game.

My question: Am I a complete idiot? I have this gut feeling that says I am either nervous about the change or making a huge mistake.

I only gave you the details because I want an honest opinion of if I made the right call and what I can expect from the refocusing of priorities.

No kids to support and the wife makes enough to keep us comfortable so the money is really not a huge issue as long as I bring in like 450 a week.

Oh, and I had great insurance too.

Jallan,

First, no you are not a complete idiot... I think you are on the right track.

I agree with Actionguy who said that number (2) should not be a consideration in the equation. Education should be your primary goal.

Getting a degree should be your number one priority. You are making a big commitment to get your degree so ensure that you concentrate on that as your number one priority (after your wife, of course). It will pay great dividends in the future.

Personally, I went into the military at 18 and got out at 24. I went to night school for about 6 years to get my Bachelor's degree and it was well worth it. In fact, after a hiatus for several years, I am now going back to obtain my Master Degree.

I say go for it, but keep your priorities in perspective.

Just my $0.01.

 

[8ballEinstein]

Lots of good advise here. It brings me back to a similar decision I made long ago. At 26, I decided to go back to school full time and play a lot of pool. It wasn't a huge decision because I wasn't married. I learned a lot, got pretty good at pool and had a great time.

I eventually quit school without earning a degree and went back to work. This decision may have held me back in my career but I'm Ok with it. I've got a good job that I like and I can't ask for much more than that.

Good luck with your choice, Jallen, and let us know how things shake out.

 

[Billy_Bob]

I feel you only live once, it is your life, so do what you want to do.

I feel it is nice to have nice things, a nice house, nice car, etc., BUT I don't feel the stress to get these things is worth it!

I have learned I am happier with less stress. I have also learned there are more important things in life than material things.

So if I were given the choice of being the CEO of a company, working 60+ hours a week, being totally stressed, and making millions of dollars...

-vs-

Having just enough money plus a little for some fun, living in an old building with the bathroom down the hall, and taking the bus...

Well I would choose the not much money option with a quickness! Much more fun if you ask me. Also people who have nothing are much more friendly and fun. I've never cared much for the "country club" types...

 

[Travis Bickle]

Make your way through school, get a "real" job and whatever else happens, you'll probably never look back! I was in the "service" industry, working 12-hour shifts driving a cab in NYC. Fun job when you're in your 20s, brutal as the years drag on. You could say that about restaurant biz, too, I'm sure. I went back to school when I was 24, when I could see where it was all leading ...

Find something that interests you and that suits your talents ... figure it out as you go along and be prepared to change your plan. One day, you'll have some experience doing something that not anybody off the street can do, get decent vacation time, get treated like a reasonable person, not come home feeling beat up everyday. Along the way you should have plenty of time to work on that pool game, too, so long as you're careful about not taking on too many responsibilities too damned soon.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

This is some of the worst advice I have ever seen. Seeing as I'm a math guy, let's do some figuring. Let's say your education is going to cost you $60,000. That is pure debt. You will work part time, so that will earn you some money, but you'll most likely blow a lot of it "focusing on your pool game". Food at the pool hall, new cues and shafts and tips, and tourneys and gambling and.....
Anyways, back to the point. So, for those 3-4 years of schooling, the opportunity cost of your education would be $182k plus the cost of your eduction, for a total of $242k (the money you lost by quitting your job plus the money it would cost for your education). Let's say you come out of school with a kick ass degree. You'll start at $35k per year at your new job. You may get promotions and raises and things like that. You getting your degree isn't guaranteed. You still have to pass your courses.

I think it was a foolish, self-serving decision, and all you are looking for is validation from the group to back your decision. Every heard of correspondence courses from colleges and universities? Attend night classes or weekend schooling. Take the time away from pool and focus on your career. Don't do the opposite, as you have stated you are leaving to get away from the stress and focus on pool. Pool is a GAME. I have never heard of anyone leaving their job to get better at checkers or chess. To me, it was a bad and irresponsible decision. JMO.

 

[thebigdog]

This is some of the worst advice I have ever seen. Seeing as I'm a math guy, let's do some figuring. Let's say your education is going to cost you $60,000. That is pure debt. You will work part time, so that will earn you some money, but you'll most likely blow a lot of it "focusing on your pool game". Food at the pool hall, new cues and shafts and tips, and tourneys and gambling and.....
Anyways, back to the point. So, for those 3-4 years of schooling, the opportunity cost of your education would be $182k plus the cost of your eduction, for a total of $242k (the money you lost by quitting your job plus the money it would cost for your education). Let's say you come out of school with a kick ass degree. You'll start at $35k per year at your new job. You may get promotions and raises and things like that. You getting your degree isn't guaranteed. You still have to pass your courses.

I think it was a foolish, self-serving decision, and all you are looking for is validation from the group to back your decision. Every heard of correspondence courses from colleges and universities? Attend night classes or weekend schooling. Take the time away from pool and focus on your career. Don't do the opposite, as you have stated you are leaving to get away from the stress and focus on pool. Pool is a GAME. I have never heard of anyone leaving their job to get better at checkers or chess. To me, it was a bad and irresponsible decision. JMO.

A kick ass degree will get you a lot more than 35K starting. Registered nurses which only have a 2 year degree requirement start at 50K and up depending on which part of the country you are in. The fact is, this guy worked as a manager in the service industry. These jobs are available all day long. He spent 10 years there which tells me, he likes to be comfortable and maybe fears change. This is a good step for him. Do you really think if things went bad he couldn't go to Applebee's or Outback and get another management job? Honestly he could make more money just being a waiter if he got in at a good restaurant.
I still say he made a good decision and probobly later on his only regret will be not doing it sooner.