Do you like your job?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Oh man, dude, you remind me of 14-year-old me. I hope reality never has to hit you. Your attitude is great, but I don't believe it has any basis in the reality most of us live in. If you're an exception, that's great and you should roll with it, but I think you need to recognize the world generally isn't as opportunity and passion filled as it may be for you at this stage in your life. You do come off very naive.

Fair enough on BT, I forgot about the Boston Pizza legacy. Ok, so take any kid from hard places that grew into a hockey player, or basically anything else.

But the bolded is exactly what bothers me about this position. There IS basis in reality. People do, in some cases, end up doing something they truely love to do. That doesn't have even be something out to lunch like film making or hockey playing. I'm sure there are people working in the Large Hardon Collider that have been wanting to do that since they were a kid, and acheived it. And I'm sure there are incredibly successful entreprenuers in all industries that have built a life around what seemed impossible when they started.

I think it's naive to think that these things aren't possible, when they very clearly are. Are they likely? No. So what? I'd rather spend my life trying than sit at a desk working for someone else's success. You run your own business, I'm sure there have been plenty of ups and downs and times early on when your idea just seemed stupid. You did it anyway.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hahaha, I can't even imagine the opportunities open to me if my dad was worth $640 million. It's such a hilarious example you used. Very wealthy people have all sorts of opportunities in life. I'm not an expert on Brad's life, but I'm pretty sure he was in some damn fine hockey camps/schools etc. growing up. Doubt if he had to quit hockey at 16 to get a part-time job.

Oh man, dude, you remind me of 14-year-old me. I hope reality never has to hit you. Your attitude is great, but I don't believe it has any basis in the reality most of us live in. If you're an exception, that's great and you should roll with it, but I think you need to recognize the world generally isn't as opportunity and passion filled as it may be for you at this stage in your life. You do come off very naive.

MattyC comes from a wealthy family, I believe.

[skudr248]

Do I like my job? Meh, pays good, no OT, but god damn days are so slow because it is so boring... I actually stare at the clock on my laptop and ask myself "how the hell is it only X time..."

[Coach]

Originally Posted by peter12

MattyC comes from a wealthy family, I believe.

My Dad has money (not anything even close to the realm of Treliving), and paid for my 1st degree, for which I will be forever grateful. But he also raised me and my brothers to be our own people. I certainly can't just do whatever I want on Dad's dime.

He was also the son of a mailman in nowhere Saskatchewan who worked his way to the pinnicle of a profession most of us wish we could. So don't tell me this stuff isn't possible.

[bc-chris]

for the most part i love my job - being self employed is a lot fun, but also a lot of work (and very rewarding)

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by MattyC

My Dad has money (not anything even close to the realm of Treliving), and paid for my 1st degree, for which I will be forever grateful. But he also raised me and my brothers to be our own people. I certainly can't just do whatever I want on Dad's dime.

He was also the son of a mailman in nowhere Saskatchewan who worked his way to the pinnicle of a profession most of us wish we could. So don't tell me this stuff isn't possible.

You don't hang your life, your future and the security of your family on hopes, dreams and following your passion. Dreamers who don't prudently plan for their future are the 80-year-old Wal-Mart greeters you pity.

I'm sure your dad is very encouraging of your film career. If he's wealthy he probably knows you'll be safe no matter what and it's nice for him to be able to help you pursue a passion. But it again points to your insane naivety. So you've finished a four-year degree. Now you are in film school for, what, two more years? I mean, most people finish their degree then need to start being productive and earning money.

You're in your mid-20s and have contributed - an no offence here as I mean it in purely practical terms - nothing. Without your dad how much have you saved for retirement? How much have you saved for a down payment on your first home? You have no student loans to worry about. You are in an extremely unique position and honestly have no business dolling out advice that only works for people with a rich dad. It sounds comical to the rest of us, just so you know.

Enjoy your good fortune, but I've seen people listen to the advice of rich kids only to end up debt-ridden and nowhere in life in their 30s while the rich kids are enjoying all of life's perks. Your advice simply doesn't apply for people that aren't from a rich family 99 times out of 100.

[polak]

Wow and you guys call me pessimistic.

There are, 100%, many many many people out there that don't consider there main sources of income as work. How is matty even being questioned on this?

My favourite activities are making music and playing sports. Both of those things have professionals making decent to incredible lives out of the income they make from those things. If I could make the same amount of money I make now off either of those things I would not consider my source of income as "work". Is it hard? Yes, hence why the good ones are paid so well but it doesn't change the fact that people like that are out there doing it. Right now.

Even if you do what you love but you have to do it for someone else you are still doing something you enjoy for 8 hours instead of something you do cause its and means to an end. I have friends in graphic design and sure they're not free to do whatever they want but they still get to do what they love for work.

For those that disagree, could the issue be a lack of useful hobbies? You haven't found something that makes you happy and also gives you something to strive for in terms of becoming a professional at it?

saying that no can love their jobs is an extremely cynical point of view. comes off jealous to be honest. I dont mean to offend I just dont see how you can claim no one loves what they do for money.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Sliver

You don't hang your life, your future and the security of your family on hopes, dreams and following your passion. Dreamers who don't prudently plan for their future are the 80-year-old Wal-Mart greeters you pity.

I'm sure your dad is very encouraging of your film career. If he's wealthy he probably knows you'll be safe no matter what and it's nice for him to be able to help you pursue a passion. But it again points to your insane naivety. So you've finished a four-year degree. Now you are in film school for, what, two more years? I mean, most people finish their degree then need to start being productive and earning money.

You're in your mid-20s and have contributed - an no offence here as I mean it in purely practical terms - nothing. Without your dad how much have you saved for retirement? How much have you saved for a down payment on your first home? You have no student loans to worry about. You are in an extremely unique position and honestly have no business dolling out advice that only works for people with a rich dad. It sounds comical to the rest of us, just so you know.

Enjoy your good fortune, but I've seen people listen to the advice of rich kids only to end up debt-ridden and nowhere in life in their 30s while the rich kids are enjoying all of life's perks. Your advice simply doesn't apply for people that aren't from a rich family 99 times out of 100.

Wow you really got me all figured out eh Sliver. Just from the insinuation that my Dad has money. Even if he did have the funds to fund an entire fantasy life for me (which he does not), he absolutely would not.

I have worked since I was 15 at Calaway Park so I could drive my crap car that I bought from my uncle. Yes, by Dad paid for my school. I still had to work my up from a 20 year old $12 an hour summer student at an investment firm to a job of 5 years with a top 30 advisor in Canada. During that time I spent most of my money, yes paying my *GASP* mortgage, and volunteering most of my spare time to teach kids the game we all love. Maybe you shouldn't make presumptions about someone's contribution to society based on one person's comment on an internet form who knows exactly zero about my personal life.

I've decided that I would rather spend my time (and MY money) pursuing a passion than helping rich people get richer off of interest and dividends. And no, while my Dad loves me and supports anything I do, he does so reluctantly. And has tried his darndest to persuade me from making this change.

No I don't have kids. That's a circumstance of my life that gives me freedom of choice to do as I please. No one says you have to have kids and raise a family and support them. You have chosen to do so and I commend you because raising kids is one of the most difficult and terrifying things I can imagine. But just because I choose to do different things with my life doesn't make me insane, or naive.

[peter12]

I love my job, but I also made very prudent, strategic decisions to get where I am today. That also involved a lot of sacrifice. I actually gave up a life-long dream (academic life) in the process. You have to be pragmatic to get anywhere.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Wow you really got me all figured out eh Sliver. Just from the insinuation that my Dad has money, even if he did have the funds to fund an entire fantasy life for me (which he does not).

I have worked since I was 20 years old as a $12 an hour summer student at an investment firm which I turned into a job of 5 years with a top 30 advisor in Canada. During that time I spent most of my money, yes paying my *GASP* mortgage, and volunteering most of my spare time to teach kids the game we all love. Maybe you shouldn't make presumptions about someone's contribution to society based on one person's comment on an internet form who knows exactly zero about my personal life.

I've decided that I would rather spend my time (and MY money) pursuing a passion than helping rich people get richer off of interest and dividends. And no, while my Dad loves me and supports anything I do, he does so reluctantly. And has tried his darndest to persuade me from making this change.

No I don't have kids. That's a circumstance of my life that gives me freedom of choice to do as I please. No one says you have to have kids and raise a family and support them. You have chosen to do so and I commend you because raising kids is one of the most difficult and terrifying things I can imagine. But just because I choose to do different things with my life doesn't make me insane, or naive.

Fine, you own your own home. But you can do that early BECAUSE YOUR DAD PAID FOR SCHOOL. My dad paid for my degree, too. I try to recognize my advantages, but I don't think you do.

If you were paying your student loans down from your degree, you wouldn't have the freedom to quit your job, go back to school and still manage to pay down your mortgage. You would be working to pay down your student loans or else burying yourself more in debt. The fact that you don't see the whole picture of how somebody's personal financial situation develops - including your own - does make you naive. Super naive, in fact.

I'd bet you had help on that down payment, too, BTW. Never yet seen a rich kid admit it, but they all get help on that somehow.

I did get help on my down payment, too, for what it's worth. No shame in taking help, but you have to recognize it and see that your fortunate path doesn't apply to others.

[Coach]

Again a lot of presumptions about someone you know very little about.

Yup, I had help on my downpayment (which was amazing, but wouldn't even qualify for one under current regulations). I haven't hidden or disregarded any of the advantages I've had, and frankly the insinutation that I am ungrateful for them is a gross misjudgement. Having advantages doesn't mean I haven't worked hard and it doesn't mean I have a free ride to make any choice I want. Yes I do have student loans, because despite getting my school paid for, I also decided to spend most of my spare time volunteering than working (which I also did, just not as much as I could have otherwise). And I will be adding to those loans during my new school, and I will also be eventually paying them off. And yes I will also be working while attending school 9-5 5 days a week (plus projects). During which I will be moving and leaving my friends and family behind, possibly forever. While trying to run a rental property from 1000 miles away because it will be my mian source of income. Sounds like a breeze, eh?

The fact is I don't care about living a minimalist life to pursue a dream, and f*** you for making any judgements about my life at all. Nowhere did I make any presumptions about anyone else. I have merely been arguing that there are people that exist in this world who have pursued passions and acheived them and do what they love for money. And there are. It's an undeniable fact.

[peter12]

Oh boy.

[Mr.Coffee]

I don't even disagree with what MattyC is really saying here haha. I think honestly good luck on your film career. You say nobody forces a person to have kids but what's a guy to do if he already has them? Can't go back in time, and probably not a great idea to risk their shelter so a guy can work on something they truly love. That's the choice and the risk, so that is why I roll my eyes Matty. And that's why I call your worldview naive, because it is. Not many people can just up and quit their job (or should, in my opinion). I guess I just think security for a family trumps doing what I love to do.

To the guy who says people make money playing sports or making music... Yeah good example. The odds of making a lucrative career in those disciplines are gone if you're over 30 for athletes and next to impossible statistically for both of them.

Lastly, I do love my job. For me it's not a problem. I would completely understand if people feel trapped though if they didn't, that's all.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I don't even disagree with what MattyC is really saying here haha. I think honestly good luck on your film career. You say nobody forces a person to have kids but what's a guy to do if he already has them? Can't go back in time, and probably not a great idea to risk their shelter so a guy can work on something they truly love. That's the choice and the risk, so that is why I roll my eyes Matty. And that's why I call your worldview naive, because it is. Not many people can just up and quit their job (or should, in my opinion). I guess I just think security for a family trumps doing what I love to do.

To the guy who says people make money playing sports or making music... Yeah good example. The odds of making a lucrative career in those disciplines are gone if you're over 30 for athletes and next to impossible statistically for both of them.

Lastly, I do love my job. For me it's not a problem. I would completely understand if people feel trapped though if they didn't, that's all.

Exactly.

Getting married while applying for PhDs really gave me a reality check. I didn't want to drag my wife around North America looking for contracts or tenured positions or whatever. I also didn't want to raise a family on the meagre, tenuous wages of an academic.

I had skills that allowed me to get decent work, and I can read books in my spare time, and act haughty on the Internet. Problem solved.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I work to live and not live to work. I put myself in the "Dislike work" camp, but that is a little harsh. Tolerate work and enjoy my life outside of it, much more.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I don't even disagree with what MattyC is really saying here haha. I think honestly good luck on your film career. You say nobody forces a person to have kids but what's a guy to do if he already has them? Can't go back in time, and probably not a great idea to risk their shelter so a guy can work on something they truly love. That's the choice and the risk, so that is why I roll my eyes Matty. And that's why I call your worldview naive, because it is. Not many people can just up and quit their job (or should, in my opinion). I guess I just think security for a family trumps doing what I love to do.

But not everyone has the security of a family to worry about, so why apply it to everyone's (possible) choices? When I meantioned snowboarding based on Sliver's post, it was in no way saying that someone such as himself (with a family, business, etc..) should or could quite their life and go be a pro snowboarder. I was just pointing out that there are, obviously, people who did devote themselves from a young age to doing something and acheived it. Whether it's snowboarding or whether someone really did dream of being the top ranked investment advisor and made all the decisions necessary to meet that goal.

To the guy who says people make money playing sports or making music... Yeah good example. The odds of making a lucrative career in those disciplines are gone if you're over 30 for athletes and next to impossible statistically for both of them.

Yet, somehow, people from all walks of life end up achieving these things. Using the fact that the chance of going all the way is small as a reason to not do something to me seems, well it's pragmatic, but if you believe you can do something, why not try?

[JohnnyB]

I have really liked my job, but I'm ready to move on. I need to keep changing and learning. I can see myself doing a lot of different things over my life.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by MattyC

But not everyone has the security of a family to worry about, so why apply it to everyone's (possible) choices? When I meantioned snowboarding based on Sliver's post, it was in no way saying that someone such as himself (with a family, business, etc..) should or could quite their life and go be a pro snowboarder. I was just pointing out that there are, obviously, people who did devote themselves from a young age to doing something and acheived it. Whether it's snowboarding or whether someone really did dream of being the top ranked investment advisor and made all the decisions necessary to meet that goal.



Yet, somehow, people from all walks of life end up achieving these things. Using the fact that the chance of going all the way is small as a reason to not do something to me seems, well it's pragmatic, but if you believe you can do something, why not try?

People only ever talk about the ones that make it, not the ones that don't. From what I have heard, and I have no stats to back it up, but there are thousands and thousands and thousands (arguably millions?) of people that try and make careers out of sports or music and fail. Horrendously.

Ever watch American Idol at all those musicians? Almost all of them will fail.

[Coach]

Of course there are. I don't really see that as a reason to not try, personally.

I was driving to Kelowna last weekend and caught some talk radio on the way. There was this woman who had been working in hospices for 30+ years and had written something on the most common regrets of dying people. She said without exception people had regrets of not spending enough time with family, not staying connected with freidns, working too much and worrying too much about money, and not pursuing the things they really wanted to do harder. Especially as a young person, with time to recover from failures, why wouldn't you go hard after something important to you, regardless of how far fetched?

Sure the athletes are few, but so are top ranking physicists, so are the best of the best in any field at all. Not every unconventional pursuit leads to either swimming in riches or living on the street. Something like Film is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. It has a strong prescence in one of our largest cities, and a lower dollar means more work comes this way. Something like hockey, Elliotte Friedman never played, now we all listen to him talk. There are people on this forum I'm sure I would find more interesting to listen to than James Duthie, or Ron MacLean, or Strombo, or Rob Kerr or whoever.

Part of achieving those things is actually trying.

[Mass_nerder]

I'm on and off. I love my manager, like my co-workers, and am happy to come in half the time, but I work weekends and find myself dreading Saturday and Sunday.
It's also not a position I could see myself in long term.