I fired my job last week. Since most of the money I was making was just going across the street to the daycare for our 11-month-old, my wife and I agreed that letting the job go was the best solution. Especially since I never broke the $40K/year ceiling the entire 6 and a half years I was there.
Years with no raises were the sacrifice I paid so that when the opportunity presented itself, I would at least have the experience at that job to boost me towards the next step. Clearly, that experience and knowledge was never factored in when it came time to seek the replacement for my Supervisor, Lorrie. The questions were tailored to exclude my experience, skills and background. It was all specifically designed to exclude me from the promotion. I was good enough to do both my job and the supervisor position for the 3 month period in between Lorrie retiring and the interview process, but not good enough to actually be hired for the position.
The thing about firing them is that I still had a great amount of potential and the promotion was a huge part in fulfilling that potential. So I am left with feeling that I left something that I didn't get the chance to finish the way I wanted. Recognizing that is key to getting over it and moving on to my next great adventure.
Now I get the chance to raise my 11-month-old daughter at home and play with my 6-year-old for the summer. In addition to being Mr. Mom, I get to spend any extra time on creative things like my art and freelance graphic design. And maybe some laundry and cleaning bathrooms like a good Mr. Mom should.
So, yes, I like to view this as me firing my employer rather than quitting my job. I also hope to look back on this and see it as the best decision I ever made, besides asking my wife to marry me.
