I, like many people, feel there’s just not enough time to do all I’d like. And I know when I have a family it will only get harder. Do we have Henry Ford to thank for this 40-hour work week? If so, he probably saved us from having it even more hours.
Ever since I’ve been employed full-time I made a conscious decision that I wouldn’t get in the habbit of working too much. I believe in hard work, but it’s not my priority. I try to keep a balanced life and I knew when I had a wife and kids that they will be my priority and I will not be gone from them unnecessarily. Too bad many of the jobs that don’t require additional hours of work don’t pay as much. I’ve been blessed with good employment but recently turned down a job that I wanted very much because it didn’t pay enough–nowhere near enough. Great benefits, vacation days, sick days, everything. What’s a man to do?
This is why something like real estate intriques me. Leaving home at 7 am and getting home at 6 pm isn’t something I plan to do for a long time. If I must, then I will, but that doesn’t leave me the time I want for other important things. I do believe in working hard up front, knowing it’s temporary and will allow me easier life down the road–I’ve done that many times. But these people I’ve worked with who think they are hard workers just because they spend many hours at the office are just suckers. If I don’t have to be there, I’m out doing something else worth-while, but I make sure I complete all my duties at work. Regardless, as Roz says, “work will always be there.” And as Opie Taylor once said, “Why do anything today when you can do it tomorrow.” Just kidding on that one.
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. My dad was telling me of an article he read about the working folks in China. They generally work many more hours per week than we do. That doesn’t impress me. But, once again, we do what we have to do in order to live.
I bet this has been on the minds of many of my law school friends since many of the firms that pay well expect you to work 80+ hours per week. Is that an accurate statement brethren?
Well…I can’t say since I put in a rough 25 to 30 hours per week. It’s the luck of the draw. You have good jobs and then you not so good ones. If you reflect back you will notice that as your pay increased your time at work increased…unless you luck up and don’t expect that to last forever…it never does. The objective is have others work for you and you collect the overall benefit…I believe they call this being a Pimp…of which I am in practice.
Thank the all mighty Unions for the 40 hour work week…unfortunately we did benefit from them some. How can you listen to Roz? She’s just a sickly woman for the love of God…and doesn’t even know what Okra looks like…;)
I would avoid real estate at this present juncture.
Thad, I am a little shocked that you would pst this given that you come from a long line of work-a-holics. Can you remember dad ever taking a day off? And even when he is home on the weekends does he ever sit down? Mom is just as hard working, if not for her family then she is plannin/catering a wedding. Remember how quickly grandmother went down hill once she hurt her knee and could no longer work in the garden?
And I must admit that I am also affected. For the last 9 years or so, I have yet to turn in less than and average of 80-90 hours a week, except for the few times I take vacation or have surgery. It is an illness and it is in your genes – embrace it. Many Type-A personalities are work-a-holics and cannot see any other way to live life. Work is good. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”.
The trick is to find balance and this is not always easy. Work hard and play hard. Spend QUALITY time with the family. What kids remember most about their parents is not necessarily the amount of time they were together but the quality of the time they had together.. “remember when we went to the Grand Canyon… or we went to the Father-Son Campout…”
BTW, why all the sudden are you worried about “family time”….?
I’m always looking ahead brother, always.
Thad,
I HIGHLY suggest a book for you:
The 4- Hour Work Week, by Timothy Ferris
Hope this helps you in your journey to become
rich and lazy…
I’ve heard of the book and keep meaning to read it. Thanks for the suggestion Jason.
Thad, you sound like you’re from France.