dstraito
TB Fanatic
The threads on retirement got me to thinking about how much we do because we have to versus how much we do because we enjoy it.
Seems to me, at least in my life I have done a lot more have-to than enjoy scenarios.
I have worked for large Corporations all my adult life. The larger the corporation, the more arbitrary and questionable decisions seem to get made.
Turning 60 recently I have been reflecting on life and the quality of life. I stayed in a corporate job for the first 12 years of this century that I did not enjoy. No, that would be putting it mildly, I did not like it. The higher up the food chain a person got, the more they exemplified the Peter Principle of living up to their incompetence.
After getting laid off in 2012 and not being able to find a job or even get an interview I bought a franchise and while the franchise is slowly growing, the health care costs were sinking us. We decided DW would run the franchise and I would go back to corporate America for the salary and health benefits.
I see now that was a mistake. I placed myself in a position that is even worse than my 12 year tenure at another company. The company is so large and their attempt at centralization of IT functions has been so poorly implemented that there is no possibility of job success or satisfaction. I gave notice and Friday the 8th is my last day on the job.
Life is too short to dread going to work. Yes, I have family responsibilities but they have assured me they would rather have me around than live off the life insurance without me. Working at something you know is inferior and you don't enjoy for so long is a good recipe for bad things to happen.
I just got back from my yearly physical and I have high cholesterol. I have gained weight because I dealt with stress and the unpleasant aspects of my job by comfort eating.
Friday, that all comes to a halt and I am going to start my diet and exercise program and while not having enough money to retire, I'm not going to compromise and work at a slightly higher paying job that I can't stand.
I'll start by working at the franchise for a few months and trying to get it built up more, maybe even to the point where we have to hire help. That will probably be double the hours of my corporate job but I know I will enjoy it more. If the revenue is not sufficient, I imagine I will continue to search for a job that I can perform well and at the same time, enjoy or at least not dread.
I knew a change was necessary when I found myself hoping TSHTF situation would happen just so I wouldn't have to go back to the job I hated so much.
My dad died at the age of 69 and it made me think, "If I only had 9 more years to live, what would I want those years to be like."
The answer was NOT working at a corporate job that eats your soul.
My first job out of college was working for a defense contractor. As I was walking up the steps all excited about the prospects of actually making money, an older gentlemen was walking down the stairs. He shouted "freedom" and even though this was before Braveheart, I now remember that as a Braveheart kind of moment. Unfortunately, this man's last day after 40 years of working for this company was cut short as he fell to the ground clutching his chest. He had a heart attack and died on his way out the door.
People don't have as a regret on their deathbeds "I wish I'd worked more"
Life has to count for something more than survival. It should be a growth experience. It should be filled with wonder for the great and the small nuances that make it so fulfilling.
I've been praying every day for a solution so I can not only take care of my family but enjoy my life more. I was driving in my car ending my prayer with the thought, "Please show me a sign, illuminate the path, LORD."
I came to a stop light and noticed the license plate on the car in front of me. It said "Life is Good" at the top. Down below it said "Enjoy what you do! Do what you enjoy!"
How appropriate that message was for me at that point. I went to my boss the next day and tried to restructure my job where I could perform tasks utilizing my many years of experience instead of being in a front-line support situation that a first year person could perform. My boss while sympathetic was unable to accomplish restructuring my job so I gave notice after a few weeks. My last day is in two days. I thought I would feel the burden lift off my shoulders, at least temporarily, but as that day approaches the weight of responsibilities is displacing the weight of job un-satisfaction so that there really hasn't been much relief.
That being said, I am convinced I am doing the right thing, there is no reason why with the skills I have acquired in 60 years on this earth, I could not only be an asset to a potential employer, but I could work in a position that would provide the satisfaction of a job well done, knowing that my contributions mattered and I was not just a drone in a meaningless repetitive existence.
To those readers that made it this far in this long reflection, I thank you. I suspect many can relate to much of what I have said. Know that it is never too late to make a change in your life for the better. I saw a picture with the caption "Growth is Painful. Change is painful. Nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong."
I can relate to several who had the country dream. I share that dream of living my life out on a modest piece of land with animals and a nice garden. I also fear that my physical condition might be a deterrent to being able to do that long term. I'm hoping that getting more physically fit might make the reality of entering that lifestyle in two years possible. If not, I'll have to chose an alternative, but it will at least be in some sort of situation that I will enjoy.
My dream would be to work this property with the animals and the garden and also have time to do my metal sculpture with welding and black smith work. I really enjoy being creative and having people marvel at some of the concepts I have done with my art.
It is not too late to follow a dream.
Seems to me, at least in my life I have done a lot more have-to than enjoy scenarios.
I have worked for large Corporations all my adult life. The larger the corporation, the more arbitrary and questionable decisions seem to get made.
Turning 60 recently I have been reflecting on life and the quality of life. I stayed in a corporate job for the first 12 years of this century that I did not enjoy. No, that would be putting it mildly, I did not like it. The higher up the food chain a person got, the more they exemplified the Peter Principle of living up to their incompetence.
After getting laid off in 2012 and not being able to find a job or even get an interview I bought a franchise and while the franchise is slowly growing, the health care costs were sinking us. We decided DW would run the franchise and I would go back to corporate America for the salary and health benefits.
I see now that was a mistake. I placed myself in a position that is even worse than my 12 year tenure at another company. The company is so large and their attempt at centralization of IT functions has been so poorly implemented that there is no possibility of job success or satisfaction. I gave notice and Friday the 8th is my last day on the job.
Life is too short to dread going to work. Yes, I have family responsibilities but they have assured me they would rather have me around than live off the life insurance without me. Working at something you know is inferior and you don't enjoy for so long is a good recipe for bad things to happen.
I just got back from my yearly physical and I have high cholesterol. I have gained weight because I dealt with stress and the unpleasant aspects of my job by comfort eating.
Friday, that all comes to a halt and I am going to start my diet and exercise program and while not having enough money to retire, I'm not going to compromise and work at a slightly higher paying job that I can't stand.
I'll start by working at the franchise for a few months and trying to get it built up more, maybe even to the point where we have to hire help. That will probably be double the hours of my corporate job but I know I will enjoy it more. If the revenue is not sufficient, I imagine I will continue to search for a job that I can perform well and at the same time, enjoy or at least not dread.
I knew a change was necessary when I found myself hoping TSHTF situation would happen just so I wouldn't have to go back to the job I hated so much.
My dad died at the age of 69 and it made me think, "If I only had 9 more years to live, what would I want those years to be like."
The answer was NOT working at a corporate job that eats your soul.
My first job out of college was working for a defense contractor. As I was walking up the steps all excited about the prospects of actually making money, an older gentlemen was walking down the stairs. He shouted "freedom" and even though this was before Braveheart, I now remember that as a Braveheart kind of moment. Unfortunately, this man's last day after 40 years of working for this company was cut short as he fell to the ground clutching his chest. He had a heart attack and died on his way out the door.
People don't have as a regret on their deathbeds "I wish I'd worked more"
Life has to count for something more than survival. It should be a growth experience. It should be filled with wonder for the great and the small nuances that make it so fulfilling.
I've been praying every day for a solution so I can not only take care of my family but enjoy my life more. I was driving in my car ending my prayer with the thought, "Please show me a sign, illuminate the path, LORD."
I came to a stop light and noticed the license plate on the car in front of me. It said "Life is Good" at the top. Down below it said "Enjoy what you do! Do what you enjoy!"
How appropriate that message was for me at that point. I went to my boss the next day and tried to restructure my job where I could perform tasks utilizing my many years of experience instead of being in a front-line support situation that a first year person could perform. My boss while sympathetic was unable to accomplish restructuring my job so I gave notice after a few weeks. My last day is in two days. I thought I would feel the burden lift off my shoulders, at least temporarily, but as that day approaches the weight of responsibilities is displacing the weight of job un-satisfaction so that there really hasn't been much relief.
That being said, I am convinced I am doing the right thing, there is no reason why with the skills I have acquired in 60 years on this earth, I could not only be an asset to a potential employer, but I could work in a position that would provide the satisfaction of a job well done, knowing that my contributions mattered and I was not just a drone in a meaningless repetitive existence.
To those readers that made it this far in this long reflection, I thank you. I suspect many can relate to much of what I have said. Know that it is never too late to make a change in your life for the better. I saw a picture with the caption "Growth is Painful. Change is painful. Nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong."
I can relate to several who had the country dream. I share that dream of living my life out on a modest piece of land with animals and a nice garden. I also fear that my physical condition might be a deterrent to being able to do that long term. I'm hoping that getting more physically fit might make the reality of entering that lifestyle in two years possible. If not, I'll have to chose an alternative, but it will at least be in some sort of situation that I will enjoy.
My dream would be to work this property with the animals and the garden and also have time to do my metal sculpture with welding and black smith work. I really enjoy being creative and having people marvel at some of the concepts I have done with my art.
It is not too late to follow a dream.
.
