Signs

I often wonder if there are signs for us to do certain things or make certain decisions. Tammi talked a little bit about things falling into place and I'm glad I'm not the only one that looks for that type of stuff.

I tend to be a bit of a logical thinker when it comes to big decisions. I can't rely on a superior being or fate to take care of things for me. I have total control of what happens to me. With that being said...I need help sometimes! I have friends and family that give advice, what they would do and their points of view. If I ask 5 people, I usually get 5 different answers. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate these answers, but I ultimately still have to make the decision.

That's why it helps when there's a little "sign" to choose one thing over another. Like when I was deciding whether to get Lasik Surgery, after calling to set up an appointment, an extremely difficult situation just started to fall into place. Or when I rescued Kiki from the animal shelter, she was in cage #17 (my birthday). Or when I was trying to decide to take the training position being offered, and a few months after I took it, the store I managed was closed.

Little things like that comfort me. Are they the ultimate decider? No. They just help with the warm fuzzy feeling when needed.

Well, I am wondering if I got a sign today.

I did not get the Area Sales Manager Position I put in for. I found out today that they chose someone with Multi-store management experience...and he had a lot. and I don't blame them for choosing this guy. But, the way this was all handled was unprofessional and left me up in the air for a long time.

So now I have to start looking at my options. And I am luck enough to have a few:

Move to Columbia, MO and stay in my current training position

Stay in Columbia, SC and stay in my current training position (if this position opens up which it very well may)

Move to Wilmington, NC and manage a store like I did before (same size).

Stay here in Columbia and manage a store here when a spot opens up.

To continue to look for a job outside of the company here in Columbia.

Move to Atlanta and possibly have a position there.

Move to Phoenix and work for Honeywell (thanks to my dad)

Each option has it's pros and cons.

First of all, I've already griped about my current job. Not working for someone that is familiar with training, not being developed and not being able to train often. Not a well ran department. However, I make good pay, and it looks like they are making an effort to make things better...we'll see.

I particularly do not want to move to Columbia, MO. But, if it's my only choice to have a paycheck...I may just have to.

I do not want to move back to Wilmington. I just moved from there last November. Although I loved it, the store I would run is the same size store that I left. I don't care for some of the people that work there and I really don't want to work for the person I would be working for.

If I took a manager position locally, I would go back to working odd hours (no more Monday through Friday 9-5), my base pay would be cut but I would be earning commission. But I feel like I would be stuck here for a few years before they would do anything with me. Oh, and I'd be back to working with the public again....blech!

I am currently looking for other jobs here in Columbia, but haven't found much yet. Plus, it'd be hard for me to find something making this much considering my age and only an AA degree.

The thought of moving to a city is exciting to me. I've always thought about doing it. But it's also intimidating...especially financially! (And I would be moving again and would have to pay to get out of my lease and move!)

Again...moving again, and paying to get out of my lease and move. Plus, I'm not sure I'd want to work for the same company as my dad. Just too close I think. And again, making decent pay due to my age, experience and education.

I'm kind of wondering if I should take this whole getting turned down thing as a sign to get out of retail. Really, how far can I get in retail? Maybe I need to stay in training and get into more of the corporate world.

I just really don't know. I have a lot of thinking to do. Luckily, I have a little bit of time...basically until around June-ish. Well, I need to have an idea before then what I want.

But I am lucky...at least I do have options.