The Dangers of Getting Comfortable

I really love the non-profit organization that I work for and I really wouldn't mind working there for a while...

Unfortunately, my current position doesn't allow me to put to use the piece of paper that says I'm awesome for going through 4 years of higher education. So Naturally, I want to grow within the company and advance to a position that does require that degree. It's a desire that I have, but one that I've come to find I'm skeptical about acting upon.

How do you know whether or not it's too soon to apply for a different position within a company? How do you know when you've waited too long and stayed in a position longer than you should have. How do you know it wont be challenging, or time consuming? What if you don't like it?

All of these questions come to mind when seriously considering a move like this.

I've seen a couple of open positions that I could have applied for (and while none of them required a degree, they did all have the potential for advancement), but I haven't applied for any. I've come up with excuses like, it's too soon to try and move up already, or But how will I have time for grad school if I'm working a full time job with normal and sometimes extended hours? Well here's what I ask myself now. If there's an opportunity for something better now, why wait? Everything will fall into place right?

There is a position now that I really want, and it DOES require a college degree, which to be honest, scares the crap out of me. My job now is easy and doesn't require much of me. I have to be friendly, quick, efficient and have a pretty good memory. That's it. Sometimes I have to think on my toes, but there's always someone there to help me when I don't know what to do. So obviously, holding a position that would require a lot more out of me, that would require me to figure things out on my own, that would require me to use my education! It scares me senseless.

But I can't let my life be run by fear. I can't let fear stop me from advancing and achieving and excelling. I can't not do something because I'm afraid I'll fail. I just have to try and give it all I've got without letting comfort or fear get in my way.

Hello world. Here comes, Alex.

Big kid toys

So, now that I'm making enough money to comfortably sustain myself, of course, all I can think about is buying things that will make it hard.

I really want a new car and, theoretically, I can afford it. But, at the moment, it would make life a lot more financially challenging...
So, here's the plan:

1. Continue to work and save money.

2. Put time and money into fixing up my current car so that when the time comes to trade it in and buy a new one, I can get the most value out of it.

3. Buy myself other new things like clothes and shoes and makeup to keep me distracted :p

The point is, I can't get ahead if myself here. A new car can wait, especially since I already have a car that works well and that is completely paid off (thanks mom and dad). I should probably focus more on saving for now so that when I do need a new car and I can comfortable afford it, then I can easily get it.

My new grown up mentality seems to be overcoming my impulsive side (this morning I was fully prepared to go to a dealer ship and buy a car today, heh). Thank god I thought that one trough!