Work Shmerk
Why does it seem like the majority of people I know don’t like their jobs? Maybe I choose to hang around people who are dissatisfied with their jobs. Maybe my perception is distorted by confirmation bias. Maybe my own job dissatisfaction influences them. Who knows… maybe the results of the poll I just posted will shed some light on how people really feel about their jobs.
Speaking of jobs, I put in my two weeks notice last Monday. When my boss asked why, I gave him a generic answer, “this isn’t the best place for me”. But here are the real reasons I’m leaving:
1) I’m not buying into the “deferred life plan”. You know what I’m talking about. The idea that you should grind out 50-60+ hour weeks for the next, oh, 10, 20, 30+ years, so that you can one day ”retire” and live the good life. Sorry, I don’t believe it. The “elders” that I know could retire, and some have tried, but it just doesn’t happen. When I ask why they choose to keep working, they answer, “it feels good to be productive”, “because I did retire, and it got boring after a few months”, or “because I love what I do”. Well I want to find that same joy in my work.
2) I’ll never be able to do the things I can do today, tomorrow. When I’m sitting in the office on a Saturday, the family event that I’m missing won’t happen again in the same way – the moment is gone forever. When I’m sitting in the office at 8pm on a weekday while my friends are watching a sporting event, I’ll never be able to relive the experience they are sharing. Literally every opportunity is a once in a lifetime chance. It’s foolish to hope that I could somehow make up later in life all that I’ve missed out on today. These opportunities are one time specials.
3) There’s no financial incentive to work as hard as my boss wants me to. Look, I could work 40 hours per week or 80 hours per week, and the paycheck is the same. I looked up the overtime rules - as a professional, I’m not eligible for mandatory overtime pay. There’s no formal bonus program or profit sharing program. And in “these economic times” (I’m so sick of hearing that), no one is getting a raise. After speaking to other co-workers and experiencing it myself, I’m convinced that the work never ends. The boss always wants us to do more in less time. And even the best case scenario isn’t worth it. 12+ years of 50+ hour weeks w/7 days a week busy seasons and 10% pay raises. So in 12 years I’m making 140k (remember inflation, taxes, and additional living expenses (i.e. kids), so it’s not as much as it sounds), I’m 37 years old with a wife and children, still working 50+ hour weeks with 6 days a week busy seasons, and have spent my most capable years (i.e. when my body is at it’s peak) slaving away in an office. Sorry, but if you expect me to work hard today, you have to reward me today. I’m really just a glorified animal looking for treats. Sniff sniff sniff.
So what am I going to do instead? Well, I’m going to try to live for today. I’m going out on my own as an independent contactor / CPA. I’m already starting a fun, fullfilling, and meaningful partnership/business with my friends. I’m going to find a way to partner up and add value to my older brother’s business ventures. I’m going to make my own hours, and sew as many seeds as possible and hope that some grow into fruit bearing trees. I’m going to make it to those family events and sports games w/friends. I’m going to spend quality time with my GF. Today.
And if it all fails, well dude, at least I tried. I’m sure there will be at least one employer out there willing to exploit, err, hire me to work for him/her. Sniff sniff sniff.
Love,
Mike for FBRP
