Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?
I enrolled in the JET Programme [1], got accepted, quit my job at 39 and taught English for 5 years in Japan.  Oddly, I think I&#x27;m <i>less</i> effective as a programmer now.  Before I left I was definitely an &quot;alpha dog&quot; programmer and pushed my way towards success.  Teaching changed my perceptions and I think I am more effective as a <i>person</i>.  It&#x27;s been a hard transition and often frustrating because I now back down in situations where I know the team will suffer.  But young people have to learn and they need someone who is willing to let them do so.  I still need a fair amount of practice not being grumpy about it, though ;-)<p>Note that while I feel this is the best decision in my career, I think it&#x27;s debatable whether it has helped my career in the traditional sense (i.e. more money, more influence, etc).  Probably not :-)  Still, I like the direction I&#x27;m going, which I would not have said before I made that transition.<p>Edit: Link :-P [1] -<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;jetprogramme.org&#x2F;en&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;jetprogramme.org&#x2F;en&#x2F;</a>