Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Why do you work? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 2
 
 
2008-01-27 1:56 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Expert
783
500100100252525
South Bend, IN
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

Ya know... the interesting thing about this post is that most people talk about only working as hard as they have to, then what they do is "theirs." This is one of the most "in-debt" societies in the world. Poepl have become slave sto debt, whether it be credit card, mortgage, student loans, ets. And why do we go to college? Because we are "supposed to" and it makes us more money!  I totally respect anybody who can have a 40 hour a week job and not want for anything more. But these same people have a tendency not to plan or save and it rests on penalizing those who make sacrifices of family, personal time, and hobbies to save more and provide opportunities that wouldn't normally exist. A case of the grasshopper and the ants. So while most people want to make more money, rarely do they have the stones to step up and do what it takes to go to that next level.

I am not trying to make this a monetary issue, but it really does come down to that in most cases. Yes, I am defined by my career by those that interact with me on that level. My son's hockey team views me as "coach." They have no idea what I do. My family views me in much the same way, yet it is them that makes the sacrifices aloing with me to do the things we want.

 



2008-01-27 3:49 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
My job is, to me, only a means to live life. It's not that I love what I do for a job. If I could make the same money wrenching on bikes as I do in my engineering job, I'd do that ina second. Problem is that if I did that for a living, not only would I be living in abject poverty, I'd probably lose my love of it.
2008-01-27 4:19 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Master
1284
1000100100252525
Victoria BC
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
My job doesn't define me doesn't make me a ton of money but I enjoy it and it pays the bills. Funny thing I actually left accounting and financial planning just before graduating college as I got bored of it. That would have paid better but I couldn't see myself at a desk for the nest 30-35 years. My work now is somewhat exciting if you think possible getting a little electrical shock every once and awhile exciting. Yes I gave up accounting to become an electrician. Although I never was an accountant I got very close to it. I can also say that I do not regret my decision at all.
2008-01-27 4:33 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Pro
4189
20002000100252525
Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Right now I work to put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. My "work" in the monetary sense is fun, and I enjoy it, mainly because it's connected with tris and active life. But my "lifes work" is in art and that's much more fufilling. At the minute, every cent I earn is going into my schooling, and that schooling is the work that I really really want to do. Its a means to an end. I work a job now so that in 30 years when I have the career I want, I can say that I didn't miss an opportunity because of funds.

Hard work has been drilled into me since I was a little kid. We never got allowance, we earned a few dollars here or there for our savings account by doing chores. We never got paid for grades ("education is its own reward" quoth my mom). My dad also drilled the idea that no work was ever beneath me, and that I should never begrudge a man his livelihood, or criticize someone for the type of work that they do, as long as they do it well. He told me once, "If you're going to be a burger flipper, be the best burger flipper you can be, and be proud of the paycheck at the end of the week."



Edited by phoenixazul 2008-01-27 4:37 PM
2008-01-27 4:38 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Master
1826
100050010010010025
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
One word.. nope..
2008-01-27 5:06 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Expert
893
500100100100252525
Livermore, Ca
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I enjoy my job/career. I would say it does define me. But if I had a big wad of cash, I'd probably work half time and try other things.



2008-01-27 5:51 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Elite
3022
20001000
Preferably on my bike somewhere
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I work to live.
2008-01-27 6:14 PM
in reply to: #1177974

Master
1292
1000100100252525
Houston
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I think I used to be defined by my job, but then I quit and started my own company.  This way the work that I do is just for me and defined by me.  If I have some ideas that our outside the box, no one can crush them but me.  I wanted to take my creativity and excitement for the work outside to others. 
2008-01-28 10:20 AM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Elite
3519
20001000500
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
When I worked at 3com I would have said "I am the Job"  I loved that job (passed up two promotions and more money to stay in it)...but now that is no longer, I am not the job.  I like my current job, but it doesn' define me. 
2008-01-28 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Pro
4277
20002000100100252525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I work hard and enjoy my work most of the time (other than some personalities and BS politics), but in no way does my job define who I am!  I switched jobs a little over 3-years ago so that I could have more quality time with my family, as well as work in a more stable environment.  Work provides what I need to be happy outside of work.
2008-01-28 12:44 PM
in reply to: #1177974

Veteran
231
10010025
Sunny Oregon
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Definitely "work to live" and NOT "live to work." My work doesn't define me and I, nor many people that I know, are not what I would call passionate about their jobs. All professionals, all make decent money, but there's not a true love for what they do. I don't think we were born to work, but rather to have relationships. Who we are at our core should define us, not what we do.


2008-01-28 1:00 PM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Member
68
2525
massachusetts
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
If I won the lottery I would quit my job in a second and then just volunteer. My job is both mentally and physically demanding.  I have got to talk to and work with people every 30 minutes 9 hours a day. (physical therapy)  It is very taxing having to speak all day long, but I do love meeting such a diverse group of people.
2008-01-28 1:03 PM
in reply to: #1178604

User image

Elite
2493
2000100100100100252525
Chicago, IL
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

nbo10 - 2008-01-27 5:06 PM I enjoy my job/career. I would say it does define me. But if I had a big wad of cash, I'd probably work half time and try other things.

x2... I love what I do... and I think it defines me to a point.  I was unemployed for 8mo, and it was the worst 8mo of my life.  I always knew I liked my job, but when I was unemployed, I realized how important work was to meLaughing

2008-01-31 2:00 PM
in reply to: #1178004

Regular
59
2525
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
ChrisM - 2008-01-26 9:47 PM

I work to make money to buy things and travel.  Soon as I can get out, I am out.  In no way do I define myself by what I do (and I am a "professional" )


Completely agree!!
2008-02-01 6:26 AM
in reply to: #1177974

User image

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

Well, considering that at my last annual review, I got slightly "downgraded" because they said it seems that I put more importance on my "outside activities" (read: Triathlons) than my work.  He said that I am doing way more than what is required, but if I want to keep progressing to Outstanding, I will have to do things on my own time.

This is where I leaned in and said, "I get paid for 40 hrs, I work for 40 hrs".  Granted, I am a Gov't employee and I get paid well, so I'm not complaining.  But my job is just a way for me to play with my toys and enjoy my life.  When I leave work, it's no longer in my mind!

Anybody want to pitch in to buy a private Island?

New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Why do you work? Rss Feed  
 
 
of 2