Something's Gotta Give

I have been with my current employer (and current department) for the past 10 years. Yes, it was my first job out of uni and I've never looked back. I really enjoy my work because I find it a new and revolutionary area, and I take pride in my work. There's not one day where I don't leave the office feeling that I have accomplished something.

Of late, this feeling has been more muted. I realised that after all these years, I'm ready to move on to something bigger. I have only been looking at Malaysia and Vietnam, and it's no longer challenging. I spoke to my regional head last year and he promised me to move me into a bigger role. I have already identified and started grooming my successor.

Just last month during our my annual appraisal, he told me that he would like me to move out to Singapore in the second half of this year to take on a regional role. This is a fanstastic opportunity for me and it will open many other doors since most of the Group-level functions operate out from the Lion City.

Having many discussions with VT, I have decided that I will give this opportunity a miss, for the following reasons:

1) It's difficult for VT to find a job in SG in this line of work where contacts are vital. It would be like starting all over again for him. That's unfair to him.
2) With baby #2 on the way in July, that makes moving country even more difficult
3) Rental of apartment and hiring of maid & babysitter would leave us financially-drained

And the main reason is:

I don't want to move and find out that everyone ends up being miserable just because I wanted career advancement. Family is and has always been my primary priority. This is the moment when I need to prove it. And there would be no regrets because at the end my life, work is nothing but a means of putting food on the table (and Astro on TV!) but family, now that's EVERYTHING!