Working - whats the point?

Lsydsm on 30/11/2016 - 11:43
Last edited 30/11/2016 - 11:44

Hey guys,

I currently work M-F 8-5pm. I have generally loved working since the age of 15 (have been working non stop). Im currently in my mid 30's and realised that I actually dislike having to work for life…kinda like whats the point?

Paid off alot of the mortgage, have a nice car, decent life - not complaining about owning things, but generally realising materialistic things dont excite me anymore and working like a dog doesnt do it either. Now im not absolutely not lazy - rather im very driven and still in my workplace achieve above and beyond - I think its more a motivation thing but cant seem to find anything motivating about work these days. My friends are all in senior roles, travel extensively and yes remuneration is great but they arent "happy" either but plodding along working long hours.

I will say, my dream is to live off a hobby farm and relax in life but its the taking the leap scenario that scares me most - I have travelled extensively, and used to absolutely relish in my work and succeeding being top of my game (being in senior roles at a young age also). Met some great people, kicked goals at work, earned good cash and now im sitting here thinking…..is this all I do until im 65?

Wanting to know if others feel like this also.

Cheers

Poll Options

  • 60
    Over working for the sake of working
  • 47
    Love work
  • 329
    Wanting to semi retire and not even 40
Education & Work

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 30/11/2016 - 11:48
    +4

    Is it really work you dislike or just your current job? If the latter maybe you need a change?

    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 11:50
      +14

      I think its the idea of just having to work for the sake of working. I have most things that people want or dream of but whats next..buying more stuff and working to pay off the bills?

      • retiredfeline on 30/11/2016 - 11:51
        -1

        That's a narrow definition of work, IMO.

      • scrambledeggs on 30/11/2016 - 11:52
        +134

        Sounds like you're having a mid life crisis. I suggest buying an Audi A6 or "finding yourself" in Nepal.

        • k-rokfm on 30/11/2016 - 12:21
          +8

          time for a motorbike more like

          EDIT: Harley

        • Zaenille on 30/11/2016 - 15:55
          +22

          Try Kama-taj. I hear they work wonders.

        • macrocephalic on 02/12/2016 - 11:08
          +15

          @k-rokfm: I often feel like the OP, and I already have a motorbike. What do I do? No it's not a Harley, never going to be a Harley.

        • k-rokfm on 02/12/2016 - 11:38
          +2

          @macrocephalic:

          Do you go to the track? if not then you should, its addictive and expensive. Very good choice for a mid life crisis

        • Konstantin on 02/12/2016 - 15:28

          I found my self in my Audi S4 !
          I can confirm!

        • adante on 03/12/2016 - 11:32
          +22

          woah let's not go overboard. start with some eneloops maybe

        • captobvious on 03/12/2016 - 13:46
          +14

          Have a kid or 2, you wont have time for a midlife crisis

        • goingDHfast on 05/12/2016 - 07:21

          @k-rokfm:

          I think you spelt Ducati wrong there.

        • nimnomnimy on 05/12/2016 - 08:45

          I found myself in an Audi A6, can confirm

        • AsSeenOnTv on 05/12/2016 - 12:59
          +1

          @macrocephalic: Nothing would make you want to go back to work like a Harley.

        • R n b on 05/12/2016 - 13:19

          "Finding yourself" in Nepal ????

        • SupeNintendoChalmers on 05/12/2016 - 14:51
          +3

          @adante: eneloops can end up costing more than Audis`. I've seen countless Ozbargainers fall into destitution,

        • malouphix on 05/12/2016 - 19:42

          ^^^this

        • kiriakoz on 05/12/2016 - 23:01

          It's a 1/4 life crisis (maybe a bit late, but oh well) and it's a lot more fun. Take a year break (career break or LWOP etc) and go backpacking. You seem to have the funds and it will be worth it's weight in gold… you can find bar work if you run out of money… go with the flow, keep some money just in case.

          I did it and apart from my poor grammar, as evidenced here, there are minimal side effects.

        • cornholyio on 06/12/2016 - 14:28

          @Zaenille:

          Kamar-Taj, Tibet

        • ozbjunkie on 07/04/2018 - 13:25

          @kiriakoz:

          I dunno man, lots of people are rekt by 70, dead by 76, I'd say midlife is around 35.

          Edit- why is a Necro thread in the email?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 02/12/2016 - 13:29
        +83

        Didn't you get the memo?

        You're supposed to find a wife and have kids.

        Then you can abandon your dreams and work for theirs.

        • decr on 03/12/2016 - 08:27
          +4

          Totally. Been there done that, got the kids but the ex is being a (profanity).

          Yeah yeah no sense of humour but couldn't resist :P

        • apey2000 on 04/12/2016 - 10:46
          +1

          Truer words have not been spoken! Can confirm!

          I am constantly being reminded that what's theirs is theirs and what's mine is theirs.

        • geek001 on 04/12/2016 - 10:50

          Lol. Very true. You forgot to add "willingly" in there somewhere. :)

      • Donaldhump on 02/12/2016 - 18:37
        +1

        so quit and do what you dream of.

      • Providence on 02/12/2016 - 22:49
        +3

        What do you want to do? Try spending money on experiences rather than things that don't make you happy.

        It's pointless to buy things just because your friends or neighbours have them, or because by owning x,y and z that "society" will look at you and go "yep, they've made it!" Often you can feel better by simplifying your life and getting rid of stuff.

        The other benefit of spending money on experiences is that noone can take them away from you. You could be bankrupt and lose all your possessions but still say, "remember that time when we …"

      • DaTJo on 04/12/2016 - 00:23
        +2

        Hi there,
        It's good to read your message - the Ozbargain site is not just for shopping :) I know everyone has advice for you sydsm, so I may as well throw in my two bob's worth too.
        It sounds like you could do with making some new decisions about your life from the age you are now. So many of us make decisions in our early twenties and then try to force ourselves to live out of those decisions, regardless of how we change and learn. Someone said to me, "Would you let a 20 years old run your life?" and viewed like that, I saw that it was time for me to make new choices. I haven't found my new calling yet, but I did get out of my job which was beginning to be soul destroying. I say go for it, trust your soul's messages, embrace your own wisdom. I bet it gives you a new energy!

        PS: The is an organisation called Willing Workers on Organic Farms - it's worldwide and you can go and stay on a farm, do 4 hours farm work per day and get food and accom in exchange. Australia, Europe, Asia, etc. There are plenty of places you could choose, and you get to meet more locals too, share in their authentic culture.

        • MrDad9000 on 04/12/2016 - 22:24
          +16

          For a second I thought this comment was gonna be "I earn $85/hour working from home for 5 hours per week, click the link for more info".. :)

        • Serapis on 05/12/2016 - 00:30
          +2

          righteo guy with 1 comment on OZB ever

        • malouphix on 05/12/2016 - 19:44

          @Serapis: He's a full-time lurker and part time poster.

        • jasonchen1207 on 05/12/2016 - 23:03

          @Serapis:

          Yeh I never used to post, I just checked out the deals and enjoyed coming on here every day for 5 mins.

  • JimB on 30/11/2016 - 11:53
    +14

    Whats the point?

    Being able to pay off the mortgage, holidays, new car and sending kids to private school.

    Unfortunately many people don't have a choice but to work.

    It would be nice to semi-retire, but unrealistic for 99% of the population.

    Money doesn't have much of correlation to happiness- that is until you have no money.

    • goingDHfast on 05/12/2016 - 07:22

      "Money doesn't have much of correlation to happiness"

      Says nobody that has ever paid for a divorce.

      • JimB on 05/12/2016 - 10:01
        +1

        Now I know how celebrities feel when being being misquoted.

    • El Cap on 06/12/2016 - 02:52

      I'd semi/full retire today if I can. There are plenty of things I'd like to do and know if I can find the time and money.

  • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 11:53

    Feel free to broaden it Greenpossum?

    • retiredfeline on 30/11/2016 - 11:58
      +3

      Some people do what they are passionate about. People like musicians, artists and writers. Most of them only get by materially. That's work too.

      You mentioned a hobby farm. So what's stopping you from having a go?

      • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 12:00
        +4

        I think a subconscious worry that I wont be able to get back into the rat race or insane pricing of the Sydney property market or maybe even that im missing out on something….?

        • retiredfeline on 30/11/2016 - 12:11
          +4

          Have a trial run?

        • kryptoz on 30/11/2016 - 21:56
          +1

          If you already paid off your home, you can always rent it out, and use that money to rent a bush hobby farm, or the like. That way you are minimising the risk of the move. That said, there are still alot of overheads to operating a small farm that you should investigate.
          Quitting your job will depend on the type of work you do — in some professional industries taking a 5yr break at your age might be career-suicide, but for many others it would be fine — I would suggest you discuss staying on as a consultant for occasional work if they will agree to it, or find another company that will let you. Then you can go do your walkabout thing for a while without much career risk, because on your resume you will have a continuous history.

        • macrocephalic on 02/12/2016 - 11:10
          +7

          I think the bigger problem is that you will get sick of the hobby farm. You sound kind of burnt out, but that may pass, and you may find the hobby farm boring after a few months.

        • Serapis on 05/12/2016 - 00:31
          +2

          @macrocephalic: Can confirm, hobby farm will get really boring in the months leading up to winter, you sorta do it for 2 seasons, stop and never go back…

        • kingzservingJesus on 07/12/2016 - 12:46

          My friend everyone else around you (naysayers or not) will only try to sound like an expert (including me)? Just don't regret living life. The one's who are living the dream can do what they want, and the rest are either a slave to their jobs and some of them will give you the soar comment because that is their mirror. Only risk takers make it that's why the rest are slaves, but don't do it in a foolish way be wise about your steps which it sounds like you already know what you really want to do ;)

  • geek001 on 30/11/2016 - 11:54
    +51

    Good on you for getting to where you are today. Perhaps it is time for you to think about giving something back to society, not always in the form of money, but to advocate something you are passionate about and try to make the world a little better than when you found it. :)

  • bobbified on 30/11/2016 - 11:55
    +8

    This should be a good enough reason for most of us >> Reason

    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 11:59

      Good one. sure is reason enough but not going to cut it

  • voiletmay on 30/11/2016 - 12:03
    +3

    Sounds like you need a new challenge in life - that can be anything, a new job, starting your own business, buying investment properties and becoming a landlord, becoming an animal rescue carer - anything.

    Maybe take a farm stay holiday to see if you would really like a hobby farm.

    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 12:09

      Think your right. I have done everything in your recommendations except being a carer (seriously, I have done alot), though I have have adopted a few animals from the pound. Farm stay sounds good. Gosh I sound like a whinging bast.rd

      • Slippery Fish on 30/11/2016 - 17:00

        What's your pay? I hate grinding my face against a wheel for a pittance with no real way out… Maybe I can do it for lots of money haha.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2016 - 16:30

        I don't think you're a whinging bastard at all. In fact you sound kind of normal in a lot of ways. Can I ask what is it about a hobby farm that you like?

    • kingmw on 03/12/2016 - 08:48

      Agreed. You need to find a hobby or something unrelated to work.

      If you have enough time then why not go study something you are interested in.

      A quick google search found this http://lifestylefarmingcourses.com.au/
      I'm sure you will be able to find other courses too.

  • oscargamer on 30/11/2016 - 12:11
    +15

    been there , done that

    you need to take a break, a good break, a year at least

    not necessarily to travel or do any other 'bucket list' things

    you need to try the hobby farm thing

    not sure how you would actually do it, but you MUST give it a go

    i have done many many things in my life, and to be honest i only now regret things i didn't do

    give it a go

    you have the work skills and ethic to get back into the workplace very easily after a decent break

    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 12:18
      +10

      I have been researching all of this month of renting out my place and moving to South East Asia for 6 months or a year and doing nothing.

      • oscargamer on 30/11/2016 - 12:35
        +8

        then do it

        get good insurance for your time and pack your bag

      • railspider on 30/11/2016 - 12:37
        +6

        Do it. SE Asia is so cheap that money shouldn't be an issue, especially if the rent covers your mortgage payment.

        You'll probably find that just doing nothing will get boring after a while - that's when you follow your heart and just do stuff for the sake of pleasure/enjoyment/self-improvement. You might get addicted to that lifestyle and stay, or come back home refreshed and ready to work again.

        You'd be silly not to take a chance though now, at your age, while you still can.

        • ozbjunkie on 01/12/2016 - 13:31
          +3

          Big +1 for 'while you skill can'

          And adding 'while you still want to'

          Seems like you're coming up for air, taking a look around, and if you don't put your feelings to action, you might go back to plodding along until 65.

          You might not have the motivation to enjoy much change at that point.

          Do what you want now, while you still want it.

        • macrocephalic on 02/12/2016 - 11:20
          +37

          @ozbjunkie: Time for a really depressing story: My mother worked, then had kids, then went back to work. At 65 she decided she was done working as a teacher and was going to travel around Australia and do tutoring in her special field. She gave notice at work. Two days later she was having some issues mentally and went to the doctor and (after lots of testing) was diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumour. She died less than a year later.

          Life is short and fickle. Do the things you love.

          There are two performances by artists that I always try to remember, one is Storm by Tim Minchin, and the second is I Want Friends by The Smith Street Band. Both of them talk of the triviality of social constructs; we're only here for the blink of an eye, try to enjoy it.

        • ozbjunkie on 02/12/2016 - 15:09
          +4

          @macrocephalic:

          Yep, I'm at the age where my friends parents are dieing, one way or another, and sooner than they had planned. I live life working on the assumption that you get good health to 50 given genetics, till 60 given good choices, and beyond that it's all a little uncertain.

          Nobody ever died thinking "I wish I spent more time at work".

        • muncan on 04/12/2016 - 22:59
          +1

          @macrocephalic: Same story here. #hugs

      • noobie123 on 02/12/2016 - 14:00

        Hi mate are you able to turn on private messages?

      • Stuzi on 02/12/2016 - 15:58

        You might even meet someone, perspective will change significantly then.

      • serpserpserp on 02/12/2016 - 21:16
        +2

        I thought you have travelled extensively? That wasn't the answer before?

        I think you need to sit down with a professional like a Psychologist or someone and figure out what really makes you tick, once you know what motivates you, what your true values are, then you can start working towards the life you really want.

        I use to be in love with the idea of moving to a hobby farm for a few years, but it was just a vehicle for escape (I mean I lived on farms in my youth so I know what is involved there). I think the idea of escaping to somewhere with no expectations, where you can decide how you make "ends meet", how you can be closer to controlling the things that happen around you and go in you (food) is really appealing to everyone, but not everyone is cut out for the isolation and the sheer amount of repetitive manual labor that goes into farms (even the tiniest hobby ones).

        Really, you need to find your true values through professional advice. If you have spent this much time thinking about it and are asking on a forum what to do, you have pretty much exhausted your mental capacity to figure this out on your own (that isn't a knock on you either).

    • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2016 - 16:49
      +3

      Can I ask you something? Why is it always about achieving things or doing things? What's the quality of the relationships in your life? I ask because it was always about achieving things and doing things, but when I think about the future and happiness, I want to have great relationships - people who I love to be around, you know those great people - actually like me and want to be around me too - and value me - what I think is important to them - that's f'ing Magic to me. To be able to really be myself in a relationship and for them to not think I'm shit. How many people are in relationships where they fear the person is only with them for the money, or would leave if they got fat etc. Being around ppl in life who are just great people, who like life, who have wisdom. I would say about 15-20% of ppl in life are like that. And yeah, being there for others who I love. Ppl who don't think you're shit because I don't have some status thing. To truely say how I feel to my family, and be myself. I want to "do things" but I want good relationships too - and I don't like how we don't talk about the quality (not quantity) of our relationships when it comes to life goals.

      • sssx on 04/12/2016 - 00:33

        I agree this should be part of our goals, to improve the quality of our relationships…
        There's a bunch of 'areas' of life we should seek to improve… career, finance, education, relationships, spiritual, social (volunteer), creative, etc.

        I think for many intelligent people, it's hard to NOT have goals, to NOT want to 'achieve' something, etc. This may lead to lower quality relationships because they focus on other things, or they don't have others around to match their intelligence. You can google something like "smart people are lonely" if you want.

        My point being yes, focus on relationships, but it may be hard for some people to forego having 'goals' and 'do things' etc as well, so they need to find a balance there.

      • jayel on 04/12/2016 - 16:03
        +1

        Similar to this point and others,

        its worth having a read of this article or listening to this podcasts episode on the philosophy of the mid life crisis.
        http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-philosop…

        Essentially the idea is that while goals give meaning to life, they are extinguished once achieved causing life to lose a little bit of meaning each time you achieve something. The mid life crisis is felt more by those who are high achieving/goal obsessed when they realise how satisfaction is short lived and notice the limits of what can be achieved in the rest of their lives. The proposed solution is to distinguish between goals that have a defined end point when its achieved eg. going to uni, getting the job, house, kids etc. and goals that do not have an end point such as enjoying relationships with friends and family, gardening, travelling learning etc. where the process is the goal rather than the destination.

        Another point is many of us at your stage in life have an income to support a high consumption lifestyle. If you no longer feel the need to keep up with the jones, transition to low hours/low stress role which can allow you to do the things you enjoy (which often can end up being just as if not more profitable than working for a wage).

  • rompastompa on 30/11/2016 - 12:13
    +73

    I think everyone goes through the same thing. Once you've been in the same industry for a decade or two, then you don't get the same mental challenges. I know some people that change their job/industry every 4 years to keep their mind active.

    My suggestion is to do one or more of the following:

    • Change jobs/industries. You'll have a challenge that is outside of your standard brain processing;
    • Go part time, and spend the other on a hobby (wood work/sailing/outdoor sports like rock climbing, kite surfing etc);
    • Learn the stock market, housing investments, and put that extra money into something that may give you a return. You might find the gamble exciting;
    • Start an online business reselling things like aliexpress, or find a niche market where you can get a few hundred $ a week to keep the bills at bay;
    • Sell up and move to a hobby farm, though you may need some sort of income to keep afloat;
    • Realise that this is life, you're working by amassing assets including super. If you keep working 8-5 for the next two decades, you'll be able to retire and not think about money until there's a GFC and the banks go bankrupt and take away your house/super;
    • Find a wife and have kids, this'll take up all your spare time and it'll re-spark the will to go to work to get out of the house;
    • Sell up and move to a developing country like Indonesia, Cambodia, Tasmania etc.
    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 12:17
      +5

      I think we are twins! LOl. You have hit the nail on the head with my exact thought patterns.

    • WatchNerd on 30/11/2016 - 12:39
      +61

      Upvote for the subtle Tassy joke.

      • Clear on 30/11/2016 - 15:16
        +7

        What's even more funny is if people seriously believe it to be developing.

      • prinsenhof on 02/12/2016 - 20:25
        +1

        Hahaha, didnt even think twice about tassie in the list until you mentioned it.

        Lovely place though, go mountain biking in Derby, great tracks

    • Speckled Jim on 01/12/2016 - 15:38

      Sell up and move to a developing country like …Tasmania etc.

      Enjoy getting reamed for the privilege of living in a mainland city?
      Pink slips? Real estate? CTP? Traffic? Overcrowding? Pollution?

      I was born in Sydney, but I like having everything Gladesville has (and more) a kilometre away without the headache.
      Or getting reamed with that headache.

      • decr on 03/12/2016 - 12:16
        +3

        Try Brooker highway, who the hell puts traffic lights on a highway anyway? Oh but they are making it better … by ripping out a roundabout and … you guessed it, putting bloody traffic lights in.

        Traffic volume in Hobart is low but seems like the infrastructure hasn't kept up and now it's a joke. Worst so far was last week, one hour drive (~15km) to drop kids off to school in a ~200k population "greater area" of Hobart. Apples and oranges, but it's a bloody town in comparison to mainland Oz. /end rant

        Got a nice view over the Derwent and half a mansion for cheap though.

    • FindMeADeal on 02/12/2016 - 09:58
      +2

      Sell up and move to a developing country like Indonesia, Cambodia, Tasmania etc.

      Lol

    • bassmaniac69 on 02/12/2016 - 12:47
      +8

      "Find a wife and have kids, this'll take up all your spare time and it'll re-spark the will to go to work to get out of the house"

      Haha, best thing I've read all day - it's so true! (in a nice, funny way of course :) )

      • ozbjunkie on 02/12/2016 - 15:12
        +13

        Indeed. I used to wonder why my old boss worked 13 hour days in his cafe… Then I met his wife and understood everything.

      • xoom on 03/12/2016 - 05:26

        Yes get married and have kids to have the will to work.

        But could inevitably lose the will to live.

        See ozbjunkie's post for explanation.

    • serpserpserp on 02/12/2016 - 21:18
      +1

      Lol, setting up a reselling business on aliexpress is a good way to take up LOTS of your spare time for little return.

    • malouphix on 05/12/2016 - 19:46

      Sell up and move to a developing country like Indonesia, Cambodia, Tasmania etc.

      LOL

  • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2016 - 12:32
    +16

    time to give up on life and give me all your stuff

    • AlienC on 02/12/2016 - 18:01
      +4

      It's the ozbargain Buddhist way

  • barbarella on 30/11/2016 - 12:38
    +2

    Take a year off…do a slow loop of Aus…smell the roses…relax and have fun :)

    • Tasmaniac on 04/12/2016 - 02:38
      +1

      ^^^^^ This. Before OP throws in the towel he should definitely start with a year off.

  • CyberMurning on 30/11/2016 - 12:45
    +2

    purpose of working is to save enough $ and somehow create passive income flows so we dont have to work as early as possible.

    • ItsMeAgro on 30/11/2016 - 13:38
      +2

      OK. But say it takes only 20 years to do that for most people. Why not work 20 hours a week instead of 40, and do it in 40 years, so you can still have time to live a little while you're young? Nobody seems interested in doing this or offering jobs like this. Pretty silly thing to follow the crowd on.

      • ozbjunkie on 01/12/2016 - 13:36
        +9

        This.

        Retirement is the new heaven - another life where you will finally be happy if you just till the Lord's soil this lifetime like a good little cog.

        20 hours a week is about my limit before work starts to shit me and I can't be bothered seeing friends/family, reading for pleasure, hobby cooking etc.

        But 20 hours is motivating - you're up, ready for the day, and not exhausted at the end of it.

        • smux on 01/12/2016 - 19:19

          You might be on to something here. Just not sure how I could support a wife, kids and pay the mortgage while doing 20 hours a week. Unless those were some very lucrative 20 hours.

        • ozbjunkie on 01/12/2016 - 19:35
          +6

          @zaidoun:

          yeah I always forget that other people have actual commitments.

          my foreversingle lifestyle does have some benefits.

        • macrocephalic on 02/12/2016 - 11:23
          +5

          @zaidoun: Many people could probably do their job in 20-30 hours if they could just stay focused. Presenteeism is a big problem.

        • DaTJo on 04/12/2016 - 00:30

          @ozbjunkie: I'm free and single too. It's a very underestimated way of life IMO. Maybe "they" don't want too many people in on it or the system will die LOL

        • ozbjunkie on 04/12/2016 - 01:48
          +1

          @DaTJo:

          Don't get me wrong, I'd like a wife and kids, but not as much as I would like NOT to have a wife and kids.

      • Sheez on 03/12/2016 - 20:01
        +1

        It could just be me, but I get the impression that for many it actually comes down to a form of "peer pressure". You kind of feel like you have to work full time even though you could live quite comfortably working less, and if you aren't working full time or spending your time productively you might come across as lazy.

        I know not everyone has this luxury though, some people legitimately have to work more hours to support a family. I also know a lot of this is because people live outside their means though, and a family can actually live quite comfortably on < $90k household income (even less depending on the suburb you live in) which is well below the Australian average.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2016 - 13:15
    +5

    My back went from trouble free to double jointed and clicky at about 40. Not so much painful, as just never feeling aligned. Do factor in health into your plans. I bought more land than I can ever look after presuming limitless health.

    tl:dr use your young years to build that cabin as it doesn't get any easier as you get older :p As soon as you have your first health(mortality) scare/reminder, you'll probably be less expansionist.

    • bargainfinder on 06/12/2016 - 21:44

      Where did you buy your land? I assume it was before the current boom?

  • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2016 - 13:23
    +27

    nothing like waking up on the inside and realising we're born into slavery

    • sydsm on 30/11/2016 - 13:29
      +5

      Almost unshackled from the slavery with monetary freedom but still a slave to this lifestyle.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2016 - 13:58
        +1

        you got the right idea of going to another country to enjoy life.

        i'm in the same boat right now.

        looking at relocating to 3rd world country in asia as using rental income to survive over there and possibly pick up some work over there to escape the boredom.

        a mate of mine years ago with no experience in timber mills, bought a timber mill on some island in the phillipines, and is now richer than when he was in this country.

        • serpserpserp on 02/12/2016 - 21:22
          +11

          Because he is tearing down that pristine rainforest over there and selling the woodchips at 10% of the market value because of the cheap labour and kick backs? :P

        • BartholemewH on 03/12/2016 - 05:22
          +4

          @serpserpserp:
          Stern, but fair.

  • ItsMeAgro on 30/11/2016 - 13:33
    +11

    The truth is that the typical 40-hours-or-more work week is, objectively and inarguably, stupid.

    Studies have proven over and over again that it reduces productivity overall, due to a number of factors: more "busy work", more stress, worse health, and less life satisfaction/happiness for workers and their families.

    The problem is the richest 1% (who've never worked a day in their lives) and entrepreneurs (who work like crazy because they personally can make their millions doing it) generally decide how much people work, and new employees are young and naive enough to fall in line.

    I asked for a significant cut in work hours (to 35 hours per week) in lieu of a small salary raise last time I re-negotiated with my employer.

    I suspect most people would be happier getting a 10% "hours cut" instead of a 10% pay raise, but they just haven't really thought about it. And their boss can much more easily let them work fewer hours than get that raise.

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