I was in a similar position in my job about 5 years ago in Local Government, within 2 years I had gone froma Grad out of uni into a Senior position and then just Manged staff. It was a good challenge for a while but we went through numerous restructures and I was under three different Managers in the time and another restructure was on the cards.

I had spent 5 years a Uni to be come a Landscape Architect and I ended up being a Manager... Then an opportunity came up to go back to designing, get paid more and I ended up comunting to Canberra for 2 years from Adelaide.

We are now focusing working within Adelaide, Hills, South and North of the Metro area. Which I had been really enjoying but was feeling a bit "bored" like I needed a new challenge and I felt I was getting too comfortable in my position, even though I was managing staff and as a Senior Designer and working at the higher levels with the Developers. But just before Christmas I was seconded to work directly for that Major Deveoper in Adelaide as a Landscape Manager, I must have impressed them enough as when the person resigned my Boss received three phone calls from two Project Directors and the Head of Landscape in Melbourne .

So now I am travelling a lot further each day, DD is getting dropped off at DC earlier and my days are a lot longer as I am still doing my other work in the evenings.

But what is coming with the change of position is exciting, challenging and the change that I needed. I amd feeling much more happy with my work days, I feel as though I am achieveing more and I am learning more each day. The position I walked into was an absolute mess and I am cleaning it up, getting everything organised and getting things done - which hadn't happened previously

It is a short to medium term position, but we wouldn't be suprised if it becomes more permenant as it is difficult to find someone who has the varied experience to undertake the role.

It has basically given me a new lease on life, as I was really reconsidering my whole career.

I know the travel will be more, but I sometimes feel that we need to do things for ourselves, and I have been making up for being away from DD more during the week, by ensuring that when we are together that I really cherish every moment and I often sneak into her bedroom at night to watch her sleep or have and extra cuddle. We are also having a lot mroe extra cuddles in the mornings before work and evening safter work.

If the opportunity may exisit to do some work off site then definitely go for it, that is grea thing about IT you can do it anywhere, same with my design work, I can design from anywhere