Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - anyone successfully escape the 9 to 5 life?

MuseChaser · 02-20-2019, 12:02 PM

Not a whole lot to add.. but that never stopped me before..

1. Yes, it's great to have a job you love. In many ways, it's even better to have a job you feel good about doing... a very important distinction. If those two things intersect, that is awesome... and very rare. I did not enjoy the day gig I did for 31 years, but it was good valuable work that did a lot of good for a lot of people, it finally paid pretty well the last decade of it, and it allowed me to care for my family with only slight financial stress here and there. I managed to sock enough away that, combined w/ a small pension, my wife and I can continue living as we did while I was working without having to cut back or worry about a "fixed income." Now, the work I'm doing is ONLY the work I love to do.. playing great music with great people and/or great musicians.

2. For some folks, their work is their life. For others, their work is what they do so they can have and afford a life. I was the latter, and that was OK. There were times when I WAS so miserable at work that I didn't think I could keep going; went through the want ads, tried to think of different careers, applied for similar jobs but for other employers, contemplated $15k/yr pay cuts for something that looked less awful... but never took the plunge and just stuck it out. I am VERY glad I did. At 55, I still felt like I did when I was 30, my kids were all grown up and out of the house, and I retired from the day gig. That was over three years ago, and my wife and I are like college kids dating again.. except no classes or papers to write! Not a care in the world.

If I had given in to the despair I had felt at various times throughout my "standard" career, I'd probably still be doing something I'd rather not be doing, and having to do it until I was cold and stiff. It was Sooooooooooo worth it. Hang in there.. play the long game. Do good things for other people. Don't worry about how miserable you are.. that just ensures that you'll stay miserable. Be grateful for what you DO have. Keeping your sights on what you have and how you can help others is a much richer, joyful life than keeping your sights on what you don't have and how others can help you.

Just my thoughts.

02-20-2019, 12:02 PM	#44
MuseChaser Feeling like thinking.... Join Date: Oct 2015 Drives: 2013 FR-S Location: CNY Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 1,664 Thanked 2,433 Times in 1,064 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Not a whole lot to add.. but that never stopped me before.. 1. Yes, it's great to have a job you love. In many ways, it's even better to have a job you feel good about doing... a very important distinction. If those two things intersect, that is awesome... and very rare. I did not enjoy the day gig I did for 31 years, but it was good valuable work that did a lot of good for a lot of people, it finally paid pretty well the last decade of it, and it allowed me to care for my family with only slight financial stress here and there. I managed to sock enough away that, combined w/ a small pension, my wife and I can continue living as we did while I was working without having to cut back or worry about a "fixed income." Now, the work I'm doing is ONLY the work I love to do.. playing great music with great people and/or great musicians. 2. For some folks, their work is their life. For others, their work is what they do so they can have and afford a life. I was the latter, and that was OK. There were times when I WAS so miserable at work that I didn't think I could keep going; went through the want ads, tried to think of different careers, applied for similar jobs but for other employers, contemplated $15k/yr pay cuts for something that looked less awful... but never took the plunge and just stuck it out. I am VERY glad I did. At 55, I still felt like I did when I was 30, my kids were all grown up and out of the house, and I retired from the day gig. That was over three years ago, and my wife and I are like college kids dating again.. except no classes or papers to write! Not a care in the world. If I had given in to the despair I had felt at various times throughout my "standard" career, I'd probably still be doing something I'd rather not be doing, and having to do it until I was cold and stiff. It was Sooooooooooo worth it. Hang in there.. play the long game. Do good things for other people. Don't worry about how miserable you are.. that just ensures that you'll stay miserable. Be grateful for what you DO have. Keeping your sights on what you have and how you can help others is a much richer, joyful life than keeping your sights on what you don't have and how others can help you. Just my thoughts. __________________ Drive like everyone's life around you depends on it...