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I would volunteer my time, plenty of purpose and structure in that. For me, working for someone else will likely never be more than a means to an end. So if I had the opportunity to not work I would stop without hesitation, but by no means would I be sitting home watching the grass grow.
Having a roof over my head and full belly sure beats being homeless and hungry. I was homeless and hungry for a period of time as a child and have ZERO interest in being either ever again. I'd work 4 crap jobs if I had to.
I would choose to work, not ANY job mind you, even if I did not "have to". I like working, maybe it's my age(28) but I can't imagine not working for the next five decades of my life. Maybe if I were 70 I would think differently.
I'm in between my undergrad and graduate degree so there were periods where I didn't work much. It got old fast. If I won the lottery today and didn't have to work again, I'd still have to do something. Not necessarily 40 hours a week, but still a job. I actually really like my job right now. If I could change the commute from 55 to 5 minutes and work part time, I'd work for free (assuming the lottery win).
Nope, because the things I find most rewarding and fulfilling are not things that pay. I'd happily fill my time with my passions, and volunteering, if I didn't have to work.
Wow - I'm certainly in the minority on this thread. I'm on my third career.
Spent 31 years protecting the public and most days I would have done it even if they didn't pay me. It was that rewarding. But it did pay me and that allowed me my second career as a fire department paramedic - which I did for zero pay for 20 years.
I looked at work in terms of what I could accomplish for others, not as being chained to a desk preventing me from doing what I wanted to do. It must have worked, because I made tens of millions of dollars back for taxpayers from fines, forfeitures and restitutions - many times what the taxpayer paid (and will pay) for my salary, expenses and pension. And there are a bunch of people alive today because I chose to go to work at a firehouse one night rather than stay home in bed.
But this was an eye-opening thread for me. It helped me understand some of the attitudes I saw later on when I was in management - some employees just don't want to be there. The only reason they are there is the taxpayer is paying them six figures to show up every morning. Hmmmmm.....
I once did it "on the side", basically pro bono. I established a business around what I love to do and do well. However it's still part time.
I would stop adjunct teaching at colleges and substitute teaching at local high schools. I don't dislike it at all , but I do it mostly for the money, so that would go.
I'd get a doctorate instead. Time better spent, in my book.
Really, it is possible to find work that is so enjoyable that the financial remuneration comes as a surprise. That's the sweet spot.
I am 66 and have a part time job in a store because it is fun....I get to see and buy all the new styles as soon as they come out and I get a discount doing it. I actually retired and managed to not be bored for a month. My position now is not one of management-just one of the gang and I love it. Just volunteering was not enough for me so I still volunteer and I work 4 days a week, but can take vacation time-without pay- any time I want to so not strapped in. I always say I will stay home when it no longer is fun.
Wow - I'm certainly in the minority on this thread. I'm on my third career.
Spent 31 years protecting the public and most days I would have done it even if they didn't pay me. It was that rewarding. But it did pay me and that allowed me my second career as a fire department paramedic - which I did for zero pay for 20 years.
I looked at work in terms of what I could accomplish for others, not as being chained to a desk preventing me from doing what I wanted to do. It must have worked, because I made tens of millions of dollars back for taxpayers from fines, forfeitures and restitutions - many times what the taxpayer paid (and will pay) for my salary, expenses and pension. And there are a bunch of people alive today because I chose to go to work at a firehouse one night rather than stay home in bed.
But this was an eye-opening thread for me. It helped me understand some of the attitudes I saw later on when I was in management - some employees just don't want to be there. The only reason they are there is the taxpayer is paying them six figures to show up every morning. Hmmmmm.....
Judgey much? If I didn't have to make a living for myself (in a job with a very unpredictable schedule), I could fill my days with mentoring students, helping at a food pantry, volunteering with a city gardening club, attending zoning meetings to make my neighborhood a better place, making art and music, writing, educating myself, visiting with or driving around older family members, organizing fellow musicians into charitable works - all things I'd like to do, but can't because it doesn't pay and I'm beholden to this job that practically has me on call all the time.
I'm sure you do noble work. But not everybody would rather not have an official full-time job just so they can stay in bed all day. Maybe the employees you managed had hobbies and interests and passions. Frankly, you do noble work, but it does not sound like you have other non-paying things that you could tackle if you did not have your work. And that's probably not true, but as long as you're judging me...
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