Review, Raise and Promote

I find myself questioning what it is that I want from work. Sometimes I want to make a ton of money and do whatever it takes to make that happen. Other times, I am just happy with what I have which is decent money, awesome flexibility and a job that can be crazy busy at times, but is mostly fairly easy and without pressure.

This time of year, everyone at work is nuts. It is review time for all of us. We all await reviews and even more, our bonues, raises and promotions. Last year, I got all of the above which was awesome because we had just started Ben in day care and basically covered our day care expense with that raise. A year later, though, I cannot believe that my check just isn't enough and I am wondering how the company is going to help me now.

I will definitely get the raise, and to be fair it should be decent as I work in Biotech and money flows like water for your "strong" employees. But, I am also looking to move to a new position which would also be a promotion opportunity. The promotion is really the only way to get a very good jump in pay. But, to get this promotion, I know I am going to leave behind my steady, even paced job for one that is super busy (at least at the beginning) with the possibility of more travel. While I was waiting in the airport this weekend, I was making my pro/con list and it was something like this....

PROS
- more money
- more interesting work
- more visibility in company
- positive step towards next position
- ideal candidate from the boss perspective so I don't have to work too hard to get the job
- step away from my currently monotonous position

CONS
- VERY busy to get up and running
- increased travel (though I would be happy to go to San Diego and Europe once or twice a year!)
- Like most companies, the whole process will probably take way longer than necessary to complete so even after I make the decision, I will be wondering if I did the right thing....until I get the paycheck I guess....

Obviously the pro list is longer than the con so you should think my decision is easy. And, I think I really know I want to go for this new role. But, there is still the fear of the unknown. I think if I stay in my current role, I will leave the company by this time next year. If I take the new job, I would probably stick around at least 2 more years until I have a wider skill set to move on with. I hate the idea of leaving Ben to travel, but I could just as easily bring him along on some of the trips and make them a mini vacation after my work is done.

Anyway....work just makes you crazy I think. I will be glad once we get to March and all of this madness is behind me one way or another. Then I don't have to think about it until next February when it is, once again, review, raise and promotion time.