The Decision

Today was a pretty busy day at work. Part of what made it so busy was that it seemed like everywhere I went people were asking me about one of three things: the vacation, the engagement, or the job offer. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not complaining. Well, maybe about the job thing. You see, the idea was that nobody at work would need to know about this exploratory endeavor, but somehow the word aboout the existance of this site spread quickly around the office while I was on vacation. I chuckled to myself about a year ago when he became aware that people from his office were reading his blog, and now I'm experiencing the same thing. The good news is that I've suspected that this was the case for months now, so I've been extra careful to not post any information that I wouldn't want folks at work to know about, if they happen to peak in. The negative side of that is I don't really feel as if I have as much freedom on here anymore. I have to be at least a little careful with what I say.

So the descision I made about the job offer is as follows: I made the decision that I feared that I might have to make ever since I laid eyes on the opportunity. I declined Apple's offer for the Mac Genius position.

To be honest, the decision to either take or leave the opportunity hinged on one single factor: work hours. As a retail employee, I would be required to work retail hours. So what does that mean? That means that I could be working different hours each day. I might work 8-5 some days and maybe 12-9 other days. It means that I would be working at least some weekends. It means that my schedule as it pertains to my friends and family would be totally different. Weekends camping? Might not be able to make it. Going to car shows in the summer? Might not be able to do it.

So I must give credit where credit is due: Michael Sos, thanks for your thoughtful email that forced me to examine the opportunity in a slightly different manner. It encouraged me to make this decision based on my life priorities, not based on the excitement of a job. When I really stopped and thought about what was more important, I discovered that I couldn't put a price tag (even one with an Apple logo on it) on the time that is spent with friends and family. I couldn't change my life's priorities to fit this job. So, I've decided not to.

Don't get me wrong: it hurts. I have some serious buyer's remorse. The fact that I've dreamed of working for Apple for so long and to have that dream THAT CLOSE (so close that I could reach out and grab it, if I wanted!) to reality and then pass it all up.

But it's over, and I'm really kinda glad. I'm ready to not stress over it any longer. I'm ready to move on.

Maybe I'm not really going anywhere at Martin right now, but at least I get a 4-day weekend starting today for July 4th. Yep, they gave us today off.