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(Holiday Season)
We officially entered the holidays a couple of weeks ago, when we observed Nevada Day on the last Friday of October. We’ll be having an official day off every other week culminating in President’s Day in February.
These holidays are a reminder of the basic tradeoff that one chooses as a government employee. One forgoes the financial profits of climbing the corporate ladder for a saner working environment.
In today’s hustle culture, settling for a good job may be considered a mark of shame. But work is ultimately a business decision, and joining the government is a trade forgoing upside for limited volatility. It’s not just financial boom or busts; it’s also the heavy hours that are often commanded of employees in private practice.
I was able to take this deal because my parents chose to live frugally and pay for our college educations. This Christmas present has been a continual gift to me and my sister, letting us pursue the lifestyles that best fit our needs.
Outside of the cold calculus of hours-to-dollars, there is something nice about spending a career serving the public. Admittedly, the State compensates me nicely, so leaving the private sector was not as a difficult decision as it might be for other professions.
So I count my blessings. One is lucky to find a job that pays well in exchange for reasonable demands, suits one’s personality, and works towards a greater good.
And of course, dear reader, in this time of Thanksgiving – many thanks again for reading!
Take care and be safe during the festivities.
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A Question
What has brought you joy in your career?
Hit reply and let’s chat!
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A Link
Another insightful post from Seth Godin about dreams. He differentiates between strategic and tactical dreams, and he discusses how they need to be analyzed differently.
… and a photo.
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Thanks for reading the OPM letter! I’d love to have a conversation if you have any feedback. I hope you found some prompts to stretch your craft and relationships as a curious Owner PM. See you next week!
Stay humble, be kind, and keep experimenting!
Justus Pang, RA