For love of work or money

[TheDon]

I've come to a crossroad in my life.

Should I be chained down to my desk working a job I don't like for the money.

Or should pursue what I really like for less money and more physical in nature.

It's a choice of being stressed out mentally and unhappy to being happy and stressed out physically.

But I know eventually as you get older money will become an issue but does making more money make you more happier?

People always make decissions based on money and end up regretting it.

Growing up is so hard....

 

[Trenus]

I've been at that crossword and I had to ask myself a different question, in order to make a decision.

What's more important to you? To live a certain way or to do exactly what you enjoy doing? Life is all about trade-offs.

 

[jeff jones]

It's all about the money go for the money.

 

[Nakata]

Hi Don...here is my 25 cent:
1) Do what you like...you will never work again
2) Be the best at what you do....at least try your best....if you are part of the best at what you do....money will never be an issue
3) Keep in mind, Money is not a goal...just a tool. You won t take your money to the grave...but your memories will always be yours
4) we only live once, but if we live a good life...once is enough
5) what s the point of living very old if you don t enjoy your life?

 

[Maria Divina]

The Don,

If I can tell my own experience,

I quite "good" jobs/positions in my life because they were not making me happy at all, source of stress and plus I am having difficulties to stand a boss who is really making wrong decisions and/or is not taking decisions at all.

My suggestion: just be well prepared and have a "Plan B" who will really work for you.

Some are made to have a boss, and other to be on their own.

But there is a price to pay for "liberty". You have to rely only on yourself and there is low and high on the financial sides.

But it worth is 1000% if you are really the kind of person to be on your own.

PS: You could probably manage to have the option you are liking most to bring you more money at first. I don't know the field, but with imagination, you can develop your own "niche", and that's what it takes.

Good luck!

 

[Dauphin]

The Don,

From someone who has decided for the first choice, more time, less stress, in fact, almost no stress, country living, all this against money, recognition, professional rat race et tutti quanti.

Later in life, you will never regret the first choice as much as you may regret the second.

Carpe Diem.

 

[Siocnarf]

So long as you can make a living and treat yourself to a few escorts, you should do what you like (you may even become rich and famous doing it). I guess it's different for people who have kids and a family and need to support them.

People who only live for money usually just end up spending more money, buying bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger mausoleum. It does not get any easier to retire when you're used to spending fortunes.

 

[Merlot]

It's a choice of being stressed out mentally and unhappy to being happy and stressed out physically.

Growing up is so hard....

Hello TD,

When you are mentally stressed you eventually become physically stressed, sometimes in the extreme. So you will not avoid that by staying with the first choice...even if you decide it's the better one.

I disagree with the Dauphin. It depends who you are inside.

I take it that making "less money" does not mean being unable to sustain yourself. Well, it's important to feel secure by making all you can and it does create opportunities in many ways. However, if you don't control your expenses, or if something comes along that creates a financial burden, which is very likely some time in life, then you might be just as stressed as you thought you would be in the second option...and still unhappy.

It's a very tough choice, but the more profitable option now will not guarantee the same situation in the future, it just improves the financial odds. There's risk in either choice, and who's to say being happy cannot be financially profitable or satisfying. It's how you carry it forward what you make of it in either choice.

If I were you I would read the post by Nakata any time you feel stuck about this. Ask yourself how you may feel about having made this choice when you are much older, and what you may value then when the house is paid, the kids are grown, the wife is much older, and you have gotten all the "things" you wanted, etc.

Best of luck,

Merlot

 

[oldbutartful]

Its better to be happier and physically stressed you will be fitter. Sitting behind a desk all day iand being mentally stressed s not for everyone. Some people can hack it, Others cannot.
Finance is important but not at the cost of your sanity. Good luck which ever path you take.

 

[THEHITMAN]

Its all about the money first comes the money then the power the cars and the women

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Or should pursue what I really like for less money and more physical in nature.

This one's a no brainer, Don. You only live once. Enjoy it. Stress kills.

 

[TheDon]

Thank you for everyone's thoughtful responses!

I think alot of what I feel has to do with my frame of mind in the past couple of months.

You never want to make any life changing decisons while in a bad frame of mind.

I guess I just have to spend more time with my favorite SP to get me back in a good frame of mind.

 

[HG Hunter]

Hi Don...here is my 25 cent:
1) Do what you like...you will never work again
2) Be the best at what you do....at least try your best....if you are part of the best at what you do....money will never be an issue
3) Keep in mind, Money is not a goal...just a tool. You won t take your money to the grave...but your memories will always be yours
4) we only live once, but if we live a good life...once is enough
5) what s the point of living very old if you don t enjoy your life?

This is excellent.

Reminds me very much of the philosophies expressed in "The Leader Who Had No Title" by Robin Sharma.
An interesting read.