Hello Mr. Ritz

I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with you, except that you seem to be suffering from a severe case of burnout. You strike me as someone who is willing to work hard and do the best job he can for whatever employer, and takes pride in a job well done.

Nope, nothing wrong with you—the people you had to deal with at work SUCKED!!

I would second Anita’s observation that you mainly have problems with coworkers and not with the jobs themselves. I’ve had that problem most of my working life. I can’t count the number of times that well-meaning but clueless people have told me, “Just learn to have fun with the people you work with.” No, no, no!! If you are like me, you are an introvert who needs a more quiet environment than most people, and you feel drained after having to deal with other humans all day (even if it’s a small group of them.)

Self-employment could be what you’re looking for–I don’t know anything much about CAD-type jobs, but it sounds like you enjoyed doing that. I wonder if you could hire yourself out as an independent contractor?

Another suggestion would be to try temp services, and tell them you are interested in making a career change. See what else is out there–usually these places have career advisors who can help with that decision.

You will make the right company a great employee–even if it’s yourself!

I’m sure you could find someone to mentor you through the process of getting your own business started. Like any major endeavor, it’s damn scary, and you will need someone not only to guide you through the process, but to provide moral support. (I don’t know much about the process, but I think there are ways to start up a business that don’t involve borrowing money…like finding investors to put up the capital you need. Yeah, that takes confidence to self-promote–but again, you can probably find people to assist you there.)

I think once you get the technicalities straightened out (like what exactly you want to be doing) things will fall into place for you. All the best!

Dear Mr. Ritz:

You are very welcome. Then it is two problems: finances AND worrying about finances. Except that your kids are grown and independent as I remember (may be wrong?). It is just you and your wife. You mentioned living on less, a low cost life, so it is not the same as the nineties for you, when you were a parent to minor kids, isn’t it?

I think lowering your anxiety/ distress level is most important. Figure out the numbers and calculate, make a plan that includes you being occupied (you said you dislike not being occupied), but in something that does not inquire getting into debt and is not high stress.

anita

Dear Mr. Ritz:

One kid is in the USAF- definitely self sufficient and the other graduated college (good) and already started working (even better). Your legal financial responsibilities for both kids are over. In a bit, the second will be on his feet. It is just you and your wife.

I think you suffered enough in your life, lived under a lot of pressure- placed on you by your disapproving father, and then by your own self. Got to let go of this self inflicted pressure. You have serious arthritis- could be from this pressure. Take care of your health first, reduce the pressure and significantly. It is not necessary, is not warranted anymore by real life circumstances as I see them. Do you agree? And if you do, such reduction of pressure/ drive will need to be done slowly, gradually- it is not easy to change such a thing.

anita

Dear Mr. Ritz:

Yes, I guess too that it is a matter of perspective. So work on both issues: money and perspective. Here on tiny Buddha we can only work on the Perspective Factor…

anita

* Dear pallasathena:

Would you like to share what you hated about teaching? About your current job? Other jobs?

Was there any part of any job that you liked at one time or another?

And, last question: what do you enjoy doing?

anita