Job--discouraged

[Shawnee123]

I know I've mentioned before how I love my job and hate my job. Advice given has been to see what else is out there. Well, for all my seeming bravado I'm a big chicken who hates change, and stay with the status quo for probably the wrong reasons.

A job has come up that I am very qualified for, at another college. It's more money, and more of what I like to do and less of the aspects I don't like. Also, my experience has been that at most other schools you don't have the understaffing that we do ( a little understaffing is good, I like being busy and doing less with more, but when it's to the point that you can't do any of your job well and can never follow through like you want...that's too much stress for a perfectionist.)

The downsides are the drive (I'm about 5 minutes away from work now, would be about 45 minutes if I got the other one), the friends I have here, and I know the ropes.

My salary would increase by over half of what I currently make. I could get a decent car. I could buy some decent clothes.

I've got my resume ready, and only need to slap together a cover letter. I am almost assured an interview at the very least, due to my qualifications.

So what's the problem? I'm scared to death! However, the past few weeks I seem to be stressed to the point I close my office door and cry about once a week. I know people who used to work here and have gone on to other institutions and they report that they do not have the responsiblity of 3 people; they are less stressed.

Today, it feel easier because I came in with a good attitude, and the same old crap is hitting me in the face. I have time to write about this because I am assigned to watch a table at a "fair" we are having; most of these events I am stuck with, when I am far behind on my regular work.

I guess I am asking for encouragement. Those of you who have made a change...were scared...how do you do it?

Do you believe that what is meant to be will? This job, when I started 5 1/2 years (and two promotions ago), saved my life. I finally felt like I was doing something important. I'm tired of feeling undervalued, and I'm tired of my paycheck reflecting that. It used to be mostly about the money, so I stayed because I was happy with most other aspects. Now, I wake up in the morning with an upset stomach thinking about this place.

Ah well, thanks for letting me vent, and for listening (for the umpteenth time!)