Welcome Wednesday: Life Changing Decisions!

[#1]

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

There are a number of moments that you can identify as major milestone moments in your life:

• Graduating school

• Your first job

• Getting married

• The birth of a child

My wife and I have recently made another one of those milestone moments by making the decision to buy a new house and move. One of our main motivations for doing this is so that we can be closer to both of our families.

My question for you all this week: Have you also made any large decisions recently? If not, what is the most memorable life changing moment/decision you have made?

Tell me in the comment below.

Have a great rest of the week!

[Abhinav Choudhary]

I made the decision to write a book and I did it and published it on Kindle.

[Hind Kadiri From Jaanga]

Hey @Jimmy Seddon , Happy Wednesday to you too! Well, I haven't made any life-changing decisions recently, but I remember about six years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. Despite having completed my studies in biology, I realized that my passion lay elsewhere. So, I made the bold choice to pivot towards marketing studies, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's amazing how sometimes a single decision can lead to a whole new life.

[Amanda Barber]

Sounds like you'll need a new Trello board to track this process! :) So exciting!

The most memorable life-changing moment was about 4.5 years ago when I decided it was time to make a career pivot. I had recently met a former teacher who decided to go back to school for web development rather than continue his education for teaching. Then I saw this posted on social media:

I couldn't shake the feeling that it was time for something new. So, I decided within the month that the 2019-20 school year would be my last in the classroom. Thankfully, my husband supported that decision. Luckily, I landed a job at a small literacy-focused educational technology startup. I worked part-time while finishing the school year (virtually due to COVID) and then moved into a full-time role there. 

"Be brave enough to suck at something new" is still my mantra. There's so much to learn in a new career path, and I'm ready to take it all on! (Or, I know where I can find the answers anyway...)

Happy Wednesday!

[Teodora _Old Street Solutions_Tempo_]

The most life-changing decision was quitting my comfy photographer job to join an Atlassian Marketplace Vendor with ZERO knowledge about the tech space. 

I may or may not be on my way to make another one 🤫

[Barbara Szczesniak]

No big decisions recently—unless you count deciding to win the lottery this week. 😃

Returning to reality… 

My memorable life changing decision was when I said "Yes" when a colleague from a company I had contracted with in New York asked me to come to The Netherlands for 3 months to work with their office there. The thought of going to another country was pretty daunting, and they couldn't believe that I couldn't come right away because I had to get a passport. (It was 1997—I could drive for 3 days and still be in the US and, in those days, drive into the 2 attached countries without needing a passport.)

I ended up working in The Netherlands (for them and another company) for almost 2 years, followed by a decision to find a job in the UK, where I worked for over 3 years. It gave me a different view of the world.

[Richard Scholtes]

The two biggest decisions in my life so far:

1. Recommend Atlassian to my company and roll out JSD (now JSM) as our new group-wide ITSM.
2. Get a transplanted kidney instead of going on with Hemodialysis.

Both decisions still have ongoing effects that look positive so far and changed my work and life by a great deal.

[Harsh]

I made a decision to move to another country for career growth!

[Kayla Baack]

Happy Wednesday! 9 months ago I made the decision to leave teaching and explore other fields which is how I ended up here working as an admin at Herzum and as the newest leader of the Chicago ACE group! It's been a huge adjustment but I am so thankful to be able to have the ability to focus on my health and happiness and become part of the Atlassian Community! @Jimmy Seddon Best of luck to you on the move!

[Alex G]

I'm also in the process of moving! Not my own bought house tho, but still 🥳 yay!

[pam_hite_wbd_com]

Last "large decision" I made.... 3 years ago this weekend, during covid lockdown, we decided to become care-givers for 3 disabled in-laws.  We sold our house, bought and renovated a new older home, moved into the new home, sold the relative's house, downsized all belongings and moved them into our new home.  We are blessed to be in a position to provide care for them and hope to refrain from other "large decisions" for awhile!  

[Berenice Rosa]

I got my first dog, was never a dog person but that has since changed!

[ritesh_seth]

I got married recently, and I can mark this as a milestone

[Andy Gladstone]

I don't think that in my mid-40's, married with 5 kids life of stability that I make any single big decisions. I think it's more a series of small decisions that are made that can affect the outcome or outlook. So, I have not made any BIG decisions recently.

However, I have recently made a number of smaller decisions about how I react and interact with my co-workers that has resulted in a big change in my communication and leadership style in my organization.  Change is tough, but doing it incrementally is less painful and potentially more lasting.

[Summer.Hogan]

Hi @Jimmy Seddon - Happy Wednesday to you, even though it was yesterday. HAHA! 
I'm in the same boat as you, but I'm actually trying to find a condo/townhouse to buy in the north country of AZ so I can escape what is becoming unbearable heat in the Summer. I'm going to look at 4 places this weekend and hopefully I'll be making a big decision like you are! Also, good luck on the move! I hope it goes great and you don't lose anything! I always lose stuff when I move. 

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

I'm probably overdue to make a major life change decision.

The last one was selling my house of 23 years and buying a property with some land to make use of so much room for activities. 

[Charlene Freeman]

Hi ! I have made the step to meeting one on one with my company CIO next week. The Meeting is scheduled and I am representing the entire JIRA and Confluence Community of users at my company addressing issues and trying to ask assistance to make improvements in a global solution. Wish me luck! 

Thanks!

[Pramod Kumar Singh]

I planned to improve use of python knowledge to automate important notification over SMS.

[Josh Shepherd]

I just made the decision to retire as a volunteer firefighter after 18 years. VERY bitter sweet, but there are so many other adventures to do with the family! Life is about change and that keeps us excited.

[John Bradshaw]

For me, it was moving from Audio production to focusing on IT. I always lives in a cross over between both and I wanted to try to live in both, but focusing on IT has been my most life changing decision, where I grinded service desk, got introduced to Jira, fell in love with it, and moving closer to being able to move into a Jira Admin position where I work. It's been a hell of a ride!

[Noah - Devsamurai]

I believe the moment that changed my life the most was when I studied in grade 9 and I decided to take the exams to the high school for the gifted and I passed. Before that, I had been addicted to video games which almost ruined my life. I am still thinking about that nowadays :) 

[ekonomerveille]

I made a decision to follow my passion of CRM and start learning salesforce and project management. I'm happy doing that and even when it become difficult in will not give up because I can proudly say that I've found my way.

[ABR]

@Abhinav Choudhary Wow! That's some achievement! Congratulations and best wishes for all your ventures!

I wish for your kind of dedication and courage! I have the same dream of being a published author! You just majorly inspired me! Would like to know more about your journey!

[ABR]

Hi, @Jimmy Seddon ! Hope your move has been successful and you have settled down well!

My most life-changing decision was to start working in my current company where I've been for a little more than a decade! Looking back it seems like a mixed decision, unfortunately leaning towards the negative for me.

Now, however, I've decided to move on to a different company and if possible, a different vertical and different role employing a different skillset too!

Wish me luck, friends!