Working to Live or Living to Work?
Discussion
Know/knew a lot of folk who lived to work. Some it was their own business, their "baby", the life's ambition. Others who only worked (as hard as they could) to pay for "stuff"
Many years ago I started to question it all, was doing a boring job, which included traffic ridden drives too and from the place to earn money to pay for a nice car to drive to work in traffic etc. Moved away, part time work in the country, missed the nice car, the facilities, the long travel to take son to school etc. ultimately projected future shortage of cash sent me back to a 8 to 5 job in industry.
Many years ago I started to question it all, was doing a boring job, which included traffic ridden drives too and from the place to earn money to pay for a nice car to drive to work in traffic etc. Moved away, part time work in the country, missed the nice car, the facilities, the long travel to take son to school etc. ultimately projected future shortage of cash sent me back to a 8 to 5 job in industry.
To be successful you probably need to be dedicated...
...but
In my yoof (many years ago) I fell into the work obsession trap. We had a bit of a tricky time, which involved me working from about 5 in the morning until maybe midnight. I had three different jobs within the group due to "cutbacks".
I kept this insane schedule going for quite a while, including Saturdays & Sundays. Then out of the blue a bloke I'd never met rocked up & made me redundant.
At the time I was more than devastated & couldn't believe how badly I'd been treated. But! It all worked out for the best & taught me a proper life lesson.
...but
In my yoof (many years ago) I fell into the work obsession trap. We had a bit of a tricky time, which involved me working from about 5 in the morning until maybe midnight. I had three different jobs within the group due to "cutbacks".
I kept this insane schedule going for quite a while, including Saturdays & Sundays. Then out of the blue a bloke I'd never met rocked up & made me redundant.
At the time I was more than devastated & couldn't believe how badly I'd been treated. But! It all worked out for the best & taught me a proper life lesson.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a little while.”
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, and stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed. “I have an MBA from Harvard, and can help you,” he said. “You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middle-man, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening up your own cannery. You could control the product, processing, and distribution,” he said. “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “Oh, 15 to 20 years or so.”
“But what then?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time was right, you would announce an IPO, and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American said, “Then you could retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.”
whatever you do - don't read this book - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/368593
The Mexican replied, “only a little while.”
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, and stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed. “I have an MBA from Harvard, and can help you,” he said. “You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middle-man, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening up your own cannery. You could control the product, processing, and distribution,” he said. “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “Oh, 15 to 20 years or so.”
“But what then?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time was right, you would announce an IPO, and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American said, “Then you could retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.”
whatever you do - don't read this book - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/368593
As the saying goes if you enjoy your job, you never work a day in your life.
I think it’s largely true and when it’s the case, living to work doesn’t really feel like a hardship.
There’s definitely been times when like the op mentioned I’ve been keen to start the next working day. I couldn’t imagine working a job where you dread Mondays…
I think it’s largely true and when it’s the case, living to work doesn’t really feel like a hardship.
There’s definitely been times when like the op mentioned I’ve been keen to start the next working day. I couldn’t imagine working a job where you dread Mondays…
I used to love my job and still love the people i work with but it’s become a lot more draining and i’ve got older.
My main ambition now is to finish paying for my home. Once that’s done i’ll either be leaving or reducing hours for the first time in my working life.
My dad worked himself into the ground and fell ill just as he cleared his mortgage.
I want as many healthy years left for adventures with Mrs. Vince as i can get. I’ll miss the job i used to have, but not the one it’s become. Life’s too short.
My main ambition now is to finish paying for my home. Once that’s done i’ll either be leaving or reducing hours for the first time in my working life.
My dad worked himself into the ground and fell ill just as he cleared his mortgage.
I want as many healthy years left for adventures with Mrs. Vince as i can get. I’ll miss the job i used to have, but not the one it’s become. Life’s too short.
Was 40 a few weeks ago, but since Christmas I have had a want to change.
We have changed to a 4 day working week, which has definitely helped - and I rarely do any over time now.
I have also made a decision that I am not overly bothered about making a profit this year, as long as the bills are paid I am happy.
Luckily our 2 holiday let apartments are now paid off so the income from those can top up what I wont be taking as a dividend.
With my extra time off I am finally finishing the list of jobs on the house, and should get our 6 year renovation completed this year and that will be a big relief.
I am also having a huge clearout - lots of junk and useful bits thrown out, donated or sold.
I was also very good at starting a hobby, buying all the bits and then giving up - so I have chosen the ones I enjoy the most and sold the rest off.
This has raised enough to pay off our car loan and clear the credit card etc - so apart from our mortgage are now debt free.
We have changed to a 4 day working week, which has definitely helped - and I rarely do any over time now.
I have also made a decision that I am not overly bothered about making a profit this year, as long as the bills are paid I am happy.
Luckily our 2 holiday let apartments are now paid off so the income from those can top up what I wont be taking as a dividend.
With my extra time off I am finally finishing the list of jobs on the house, and should get our 6 year renovation completed this year and that will be a big relief.
I am also having a huge clearout - lots of junk and useful bits thrown out, donated or sold.
I was also very good at starting a hobby, buying all the bits and then giving up - so I have chosen the ones I enjoy the most and sold the rest off.
This has raised enough to pay off our car loan and clear the credit card etc - so apart from our mortgage are now debt free.
Megaflow said:
Anybody else have this debate with themselves?
Bit of a quiet day at work, to an equally quiet evening at home and I find myself wondering if I am just waiting to go back to work.
Mrs Megaflow is working, all local mates are busy.
Does either scenario bother you? It shouldn't, as there is no right or wrong way to live as long as you're happy. You don't say whether you're happy or not.Bit of a quiet day at work, to an equally quiet evening at home and I find myself wondering if I am just waiting to go back to work.
Mrs Megaflow is working, all local mates are busy.
Sounds like an introvert's dream day, and an extrovert's nightmare. Also sounds like you're not used to entertaining yourself. You can do stuff at home by yourself without it being 'living to work'.
The first.
Do the absolute bare amount of work to get by, bills slashed so can spend the absolute least amount of time at work as possible. Dont give them 1 minute of my time without pay.
Regards,
A Jobsworth
There's probably somewhere in the middle but I feel sorry for people who's only thing in life is work and overpriced material BS. I know someone doing 70+ hours a week in finance. £80k car in the drive of his £750k house but doesn't see the kid, marriage on the rocks etc but he can't seem to give it up.
Do the absolute bare amount of work to get by, bills slashed so can spend the absolute least amount of time at work as possible. Dont give them 1 minute of my time without pay.
Regards,
A Jobsworth
There's probably somewhere in the middle but I feel sorry for people who's only thing in life is work and overpriced material BS. I know someone doing 70+ hours a week in finance. £80k car in the drive of his £750k house but doesn't see the kid, marriage on the rocks etc but he can't seem to give it up.
Edited by NaePasaran on Wednesday 5th April 09:25
I’ve just handed my notice in for a job that was very much ‘living to work’, emails and calls every day, relentless pressure. It was affecting my mental health and my home life for sure. I
I’ve taken a job that, whilst still challenging, will give me ‘off’ time to spend with my family.
Also I’ve been out on gardening leave for a month, which is very, very odd. Just a complete disconnect.
It’ll give me some time to wind up for the new role.
I’ve taken a job that, whilst still challenging, will give me ‘off’ time to spend with my family.
Also I’ve been out on gardening leave for a month, which is very, very odd. Just a complete disconnect.
It’ll give me some time to wind up for the new role.
I think about this more and more since the cost of living went through the leaky roof.
I commute, work, commute, sit have dinner, watch telly, read in bed, sleep and repeat.
And now my wages don't cover my bills, so going further into debt.
I have savings from better times, to be used for sensible stuff like losing my job, getting ill, maybe to help if I ever get to retire.
Hence why I cashed some of it the other day and have a big motorbike on order.
Sensible head cut in a few days ago saying that I should sell the car and the other motorbike to fund it.
Naw! sod it, got a good insurance quote for both bikes and the car is bloody useful
Now, I just need to move out of London and stop paying ridiculous rent for a pretty crummy flat.
I commute, work, commute, sit have dinner, watch telly, read in bed, sleep and repeat.
And now my wages don't cover my bills, so going further into debt.
I have savings from better times, to be used for sensible stuff like losing my job, getting ill, maybe to help if I ever get to retire.
Hence why I cashed some of it the other day and have a big motorbike on order.
Sensible head cut in a few days ago saying that I should sell the car and the other motorbike to fund it.
Naw! sod it, got a good insurance quote for both bikes and the car is bloody useful
Now, I just need to move out of London and stop paying ridiculous rent for a pretty crummy flat.
I worked until I could afford not to.
Hated every minute of it (well not actually every minute, but most of the hours) , but luckily was well paid for it.
Retired at 56, now 61. Not regretted it once.
My brother in law is 66, could have retired years ago, but seems to be defined in his own mind by his work status. Probably explains why he's a complete dick outside work.
Live to work? f
k that, someone will only fk you over, unless you work for yourself.
Hated every minute of it (well not actually every minute, but most of the hours) , but luckily was well paid for it.
Retired at 56, now 61. Not regretted it once.
My brother in law is 66, could have retired years ago, but seems to be defined in his own mind by his work status. Probably explains why he's a complete dick outside work.
Live to work? f
k that, someone will only fk you over, unless you work for yourself.Work to live.
I work hard, and take pride in what I do. I'm not just here skimming along and being lazy. But, and it's a big but, about ten years ago (early 30s) I decided I would start being more aggressive about saving and investing. Not all red braces and the like, just getting educated about how much I should put away, whether it's worth paying things off early or using cheap credit, that sort of thing. It's all been aimed at retiring as close to 50 as possible while still maintaining a healthy relationship with the wife and kids and without being completely tight-arsed about luxuries.
I try to live by a fairly simple set of guidelines:
I work hard, and take pride in what I do. I'm not just here skimming along and being lazy. But, and it's a big but, about ten years ago (early 30s) I decided I would start being more aggressive about saving and investing. Not all red braces and the like, just getting educated about how much I should put away, whether it's worth paying things off early or using cheap credit, that sort of thing. It's all been aimed at retiring as close to 50 as possible while still maintaining a healthy relationship with the wife and kids and without being completely tight-arsed about luxuries.
I try to live by a fairly simple set of guidelines:
- Work hard in your working hours.
- If you need to put more time into something do so. This is the exception, not the norm.
- Unless cashflow is tight month to month, any payrise was sent direct to pension. I've taken home the same £ amount for a decade. Only recently have I had to sacrifice a bit less to pension pre-tax to cover various bills.
- You can't buy time back, no matter how much you earn.
NaePasaran said:
The first.
Do the absolute bare amount of work to get by, bills slashed so can spend the absolute least amount of time at work as possible. Dont give them 1 minute of my time without pay.
Regards,
A Jobsworth
There's probably somewhere in the middle but I feel sorry for people who's only thing in life is work and overpriced material BS. I know someone doing 70+ hours a week in finance. £80k car in the drive of his £750k house but doesn't see the kid, marriage on the rocks etc but he can't seem to give it up.
Agreed, my goal is to retire as soon as is humanly possible, I don't plan on working a minute longer than I have to.Do the absolute bare amount of work to get by, bills slashed so can spend the absolute least amount of time at work as possible. Dont give them 1 minute of my time without pay.
Regards,
A Jobsworth
There's probably somewhere in the middle but I feel sorry for people who's only thing in life is work and overpriced material BS. I know someone doing 70+ hours a week in finance. £80k car in the drive of his £750k house but doesn't see the kid, marriage on the rocks etc but he can't seem to give it up.
Edited by NaePasaran on Wednesday 5th April 09:25
I am currently over paying my mortgage and putting as much into my private pension as I possibly can. I want to get to the position where I am financially able to just wake up one day, decide I am done and jack it all in.
My biggest regret is that I spent years working in jobs where I wasn't earning good money because I didn't have the confidence in my own abilities to contract (I work in IT) and earn bucket loads.
I met a guy recently on a plane who did just that at 45. He didn't have a big house or anything, but he seemed pretty happy with his lot.
Work is not really that enjoyable anymore, I have no interest in the office politics or the latest HR woke policies so I am just keeping my head down and stashing the cash until I can check out for good.
RedHeels said:
Does either scenario bother you? It shouldn't, as there is no right or wrong way to live as long as you're happy. You don't say whether you're happy or not.
Sounds like an introvert's dream day, and an extrovert's nightmare. Also sounds like you're not used to entertaining yourself. You can do stuff at home by yourself without it being 'living to work'.
Err, I’m not sure. My old job got very tedious and boring so I have just changed to a new one, and so far it is not the barrel of excitement I thought it would be.Sounds like an introvert's dream day, and an extrovert's nightmare. Also sounds like you're not used to entertaining yourself. You can do stuff at home by yourself without it being 'living to work'.
This working from home and now hybrid working I get the last 3 years has ruined what little social skills I already had.
I am quite good at entertaining myself at the weekend, most of the time, but really struggle during the week.
I’ve seen it numerous times over the years in my line of work.
job pished individuals who sacrificed precious time with their partner and kids for the good of the job and their perceived status in the workplace only to lose everything. It’s a complete mugs game.
Work hard whilst you’re there but always put your family first no matter what. You don’t get the time back.
job pished individuals who sacrificed precious time with their partner and kids for the good of the job and their perceived status in the workplace only to lose everything. It’s a complete mugs game.
Work hard whilst you’re there but always put your family first no matter what. You don’t get the time back.
Always been a world to live person, early on I put a bit of extra effort in to get ahead, but never sacrificed the important family stuff for work, there wasn't a kids play, school thing, sportsday whatever that I missed because of work, went to them all.
I have more recently moved even more to the side of work to live and work to rule almost. Company I work for was taken over, new company had been buying up a few companies and they had a fairly simple financial model, they basically came in with a target and crossed names off a list until they had met their target. Didnt consult with anyone on who these people were or what they did, other than a handful of people who were marked as critical (thankful I was one), people were just cut at random, reduced to a name and a cost on a spreadhseet.
It really made me realise how you are just a commodity to most businesses and so Im not going to bust my balls for them. I will do my work, in my normal working hours, not going above and beyond, I am removed Teams and Outlook from my phone, having a few days off soon and made it very clear to my manager and colleagues that I am not contactable, at all.
I have more recently moved even more to the side of work to live and work to rule almost. Company I work for was taken over, new company had been buying up a few companies and they had a fairly simple financial model, they basically came in with a target and crossed names off a list until they had met their target. Didnt consult with anyone on who these people were or what they did, other than a handful of people who were marked as critical (thankful I was one), people were just cut at random, reduced to a name and a cost on a spreadhseet.
It really made me realise how you are just a commodity to most businesses and so Im not going to bust my balls for them. I will do my work, in my normal working hours, not going above and beyond, I am removed Teams and Outlook from my phone, having a few days off soon and made it very clear to my manager and colleagues that I am not contactable, at all.
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