My situation is fine, though there are people everywhere less blessed/driven/whatever. Well, it seems you did say "the jobs we used to work ... " so regardless of the fact you've been employed for >10 years and gotten three promotions, you write like it doesn't sound as though you have much to look forward to.
I went into business for myself in my late 30's (BTW, my career is in pharmaceutical development, not AMWAY) and I'm celebrating 15 years in business this year.
I've held all the titles and had the the promotions, but I'd rather have the return business. I'd never look back.
If you're in your late 30's yourself and expecting to be on the street by 50, you might want to start making a plan to start addressing that eventuality now.
FReegards!
I work in my field; at this point it is one of many that are being outsourced. The reference to “jobs we used to work” was a generality; in addition to all of the manufacturing jobs, there were related fields (such as cost accounting and other support for the manufacturing) that are also almost gone. As predicted, our standard of living is falling while Asia’s rises (to meet somewhere in the middle); we certainly haven’t stopped falling yet. Most people don’t know if they’ll have their jobs six months down the road (with good reason); whatever the official stats are, high unemployment isn’t going away any time soon.
At this point I need the insurance benefits for my family; in the meantime I move with technological changes and gladly absorb any work into my department that other people/departments try to push off on us. When we had layoffs a few years back, my department was unscathed while the dead wood that had delegated most of their tasks away were let go.
Best of luck with the business; it is a lot of responsibility!