Healthy vs unhealthy work ethic.
Posted by richrobinson 8 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: General
I have been working since I was a kid. My parents instilled in me a belief that if I worked hard and saved that everything would work out. While my wife and I enjoy a nice lifestyle I have already worked more years than most government employees need to retire. Due to downturns in the economy over the years and some bad investments on my part I am no where near retirement. In my neighborhood I see people who make a lot more than I do and work a lot less. I am wondering if my work ethic is misguided or unhealthy. As a retailer I am working 7 days a week during the Christmas season at an average of about 65 hours a week. Dagny and Hank worked long, hard hours and benefited financially from their labors. Eddie Willers worked long, hard hours but probably made a fraction of what Dagny did. Eddie continued to work even after Dagny knew all was lost. Did he have an unhealthy work ethic? Do I?
Same here; except I will be able to retire before too long by cashing in my assets. If the idiots in Washington D.C. had not pulled the rug from under the economy I could have retired already. I worked so many hours during the creation of my company that I can now just work a regular schedule and since they have made it less profitable over time I refuse to work harder and feed the beast that stole my future and rewarded the indolent. So now I will eventually retire comfortably but not rich... Fortunately my desires have changed and a simple life looks more appealing than it once did.
Now, if the government would get out of my way I would like to ride the economic upswing one last time. When things are good I have much more incentive. I like to be productive and make things. I make things for the military which I cannot disclose. Many have saved many American lives, but I will not be properly compensated. By the way, anyone working for the government as a vendor can usually tell you they are among the slowest and worst to collect from, but Galt help you if you owe them money. They will just take it from your bank account promptly.
You have a great work ethic and values. It is the government roadblocks that have diminished your rewards. In the name of equality they want us all to be equally poor and dependent on them. After all "you didn't build that." All your investment and those hours were/are imaginary... right?
Regards,
O.A.
That said, my father was a self-employed workaholic who worked 7 days a week and never, ever took a vacation. His great concession to family was he did not go to work until 8am on Christmas morning.
He worked until four days before he expired, then confessed: "I could have been a better father."
So be true to yourself and contribute, and don't let yourself get sucked into what Prager U calls the "missing tile syndrome." * But be true to your family, too. In the end, it's all you have.
*https://www.prageru.com/courses/life-...
While people joke about it being a "shrug job", I am a civil servant, doing amazing things and working my butt off 60+ hours a week, have 2 pretty labor and time intensive hobbies, and am returning to school next month. Yet I see people who make twice what I do that are clockwatchers, slackers, and moochers. But I don't compare myself to them - one, I love my job and I love work, so I feel that in a real sense is one of the rewards for my hard work... Two, I can look at myself in the mirror in the morning without wincing! But comparing what I do - and my life - to what someone else does does is a no-sum game - the only person I have to satisfy that I am producing at the top of my game is myself. If I did it for another - then I would be the most miserable sort of person...
I imagine old Nat Taggart - spinning in his grave under the lower level track switch multiplex in tunnel 3 of the Taggart Transcontinental building - at the disaster his son not only was, but was to become... Especially when compared to the resounding success his daughter was.
I also work very hard, about 65-70 hours/week. I am not rich. But, I do OK. For me, a key is investing money before the wife blows it. All part of proper money management.
Dagny and Hank were both lucky and hard-working. I know some very wealthy people who were just lucky - most of those just born into money. I know one guy who lives in an incredible palace of a home overlooking the lake (most incredible home I've ever seen that's still lived in). I've known the guy for years but I have no idea what he does for a living...I'm starting to think he doesn't work at all.
For the rest of us mortals there are a few keys to pay attention to. Start investing and saving very early in life. Really sacrifice. Learn all you can about finance and business. Avoid debt you don't really need. Work hard.
As this year rolls to an end I am going to dedicate myself to working less, starting soon. I'm doing well because I have been working like a maniac. But, I'm killing myself with my workload, it's clear. I know of some very successful people who really look like crap and I've decided to make my health a higher priority than it has been.
Also, realize that the Reardens of the world have taken big risks to get there. Also, many of them have massive failures in their past. They just refused to give up.
I daydream about sleeping. That's a sign, huh? This morning the daydream took place in a bunch of blankets in front of the fireplace. Haha...
Nobody forced Eddie to work, he chose to continue to work. Maybe part of it was because he loved Dagny. But he was not a moocher and he wanted to do the best he could do.
I've had a job pretty much since I was 14. This doesn't count a few paper routes. I started washing dishes at a mentally handicapped home where my sister in law was a cook.
I worked all through High School, joined the Navy, and have worked since soon after I got out.
I rarely take vacations but if I need days I know I can take them. I get annoyed when people at work complain about some arbitrary day of the week. (Oh, Mondays! Hey it's Hump day, we are halfway there! and, TFIG!) I like my job and I like what I do.
If I couldn't handle it I would continue to work while I looked for something else to do. If I found something I thought I would enjoy more and I could get by financially, I would seriously consider it.
to the benefit of yourself and others like those who made this
country what it is. . the lifestyle of a worker with integrity
always takes its toll and has uncertain results. . Eddie's
character is a great example of the wonderful people who
never quit, who keep the food coming and the power on,
who keep the water flowing and our homes intact.
I worked from age 9 to age 59.8 and retired. . I took a
different route -- engineer, air force, manhattan project
worker ... and spendthrift. . I desperately love the life
I have, now, and know that I have been lucky beyond
my hopes. . but, then, I was going to be the next Edison.....
instead, that's Dale Halling!
please be proud of your sustenance of your town, your
extended family of customers -- you make their lives better
with every breath you take. . Thank You Sir!!! -- john
p.s. might I buy a tool or two from you, online?
.
and another thing, Rich . . . . . I adore the way you
welcome the new members into the gulch. . Thank You! -- j
.
Some of the time is far better than those who use it but don't apply it.
That's good, I need it since steam has been coming out of my ears of late.
14 months later zero interview offfered.
I looked at her resume and pointed out two lines.
"erase these that's your problem.. You say manager they read competition. First get your nose in the door and your talents will be noted.
We moved her to Florida within a month she was working. She's now number one or number two in the office for longevity, officially retired and is getting that plus 30 hours a week pay for continued working. That's to make up for the Obama devaluation of her retirement fund. She is the office trainer and operations manual author and has consistently refused promotions. Still she's seen as a threat to promotions....Go figure....Incompetent people often band together and make up problems that do not exist. So she said fine I'll figure on getting laid off ....Surprise surprise the head of the operation wants her to continue. three days at 10 hours a day which keeps her medical in force. She chose Friday, Saturday, Sunday night when only one of the staff is on duty. Those days pay more but no one wants them.
The hard part was getting in the door and having a job. The second hardest was putting up with the BS. She's 67 and enjoys her four days off for what amounts to a full weeks pay.
Everyone has what I call "xmen super powers" of one kind or another,. Growing up is a process of figuring out what YOUR super powers are, and then applying them to get the most result (money). Not all "work" is effective in making money. We each have to pick and choose careers that will make best use of our superpowers.
To me, the important thing is that you use your xmen super powers to (a) be self-sustaining, and (b) have fun.
Jan
Jan
You are a perfect example of someone lucky enough to have thinking parents conveying their values to you in a manner strong enough to ward off the school system's attempts to perform a reasonectomy on your brain. Had the schools succeeded, you would have been certain that you were owed a living provided by the government.
Joe
Nor is how much money you have the point. How much you value your life and bring value into being is.
All those wasted days suddenly come to mind and hang their accusingly. Balanced by the days not wasted on pipe dreams nor dreams from pipe nor piper.
There is no answer except reality. Even preparing for it doesn't lessen the shock of realizing you could be on your last calendar and there is nothing that can be done about it except live each day as if it is your last day. To full measure.
Wishful thinking and lottery dreams and worrying and all the witch doctors in the world will not buy you one second extra. I mark that day along with other milestones. The day I realized I didn't have to do as I was told by hypocrites and took charge of my own life. The day I learned to 'retire' and didn't have to work 16 hours a day anymore. The day started I was in the range of the probable number of years left were less than the fingers of my hands but possibly triple. Which was the same day I continued to not fear death nor hide behind 'what if' and 'if only.'
Enjoying the reality of each day with full senses intact is each and every day the best day of my life.
It helps to be 39 and holding. But that's the reality of attitude
I'm reminded of the freeway overpass in LA area after the big earthquake. The contractor had a new one up and running in 90 days. The key was the government assigned the mission and got out of the way
While at a campaign event, Clinton mentioned the Affordable Care Act by name as a reason why employers are switching workers to part-time.
[Keep Reading]
Do you think she reads the Gulch?
http://townhall.com/video/clinton-adm...
Some vocations are more profitable than others regardless of how good someone is at doing them.
One might just resolve to say "That's just the way the cookie crumbles". However, knowing this, is there some way inwhich to take advantage of this and turn it into profit?
Worth thinking about. Don't feel bad...I've been thinking the same things. That's why I am transitioning into something, hopefully more satisfying And profitable.
I get the time thing, Maybe, you can have your cake and eat it too. Involve the things your missing with the things you would miss. Maybe having family involved and do business as if this was your time off, your customers are just friends stopping by to say hi. Have others carry out the business transactions. Maybe? Just a thought.
Since 2009 I have worked every holiday, I have come to make that time at work, part of my holiday...I actually look forward to it. Like you, my work is about people and providing values. I just changed the way I celebrate and I think I like it better than the old ways.
So I know what you mean, without all that stuff, I'd be in your boat. Maybe there is some way you can incorporate those things into your business model is what I'm getting at.
I'd say as long as you keep working for as long as you need to, and avoid traps such as taking charity, there is nothing wrong with your work ethic.
All this applies to me, too. I'm over 50 and not half as wealthy as I hoped I'd be now when I was 25, but as long as I can work I'm not done yet!
That was from eight full time and a dozen part time down to zero. With cell phones coming into play and later wifi that part of the world was flat.
The cost that killed the retail portion in the end was the disabled employees insurance which featured a huge up front lump sum payment. Monthly wasn't bad it was the buy in to the State requirement.
The second cost was renovation for example to get to my office up one flight they wanted access for disabled. Instead of a local store that had office supplies, copiers, computer supplies and a mail box etc. operation the area got a 30 to 50 mile drive. The part time staff originally was computers a T9 phone system and running test order call ins for TV and radio marketing.
That and a stint at insurance was after army retirement and before returning to the merchant marine with a few other adventures thrown in. I figured selling out not only gave me a 8 month sailing and scuba vacation on OPB's it cut my work week to zero hours a week. After that I worked exclusively for other people usually two jobs at a time as the 30 hour week or go elsewhere was becoming more popular. From there I went to sea commercially and worked for the most part eight months a year but from Rich's comment and my sisters reports from Florida I see the government has no intentions of expanding jobs....at least this government. Next thing will be an attack extending requirements for the 20 hour week. the you all can have three jobs or maybe four and both parents will have to work.. just to pay the taxes and buy groceries.
Thank God and Greyhound for Walmart and the Dollar Stores.
Just keep working...the end is nowhere in sight and it's just begun. Hell we're not even through this first 'Great Recession' part II is about to begin. I've got twenty years less of it to deal with than you. So there is a light at the end of one kind of tunnel. But yours is an extra two decades of no choice elections and more 'well meaning laws.' Spare me. There is nothing well meaning about any of it.
Just looters and enablers.
And it is just looters and enablers. But the Democratic voting based really do believe those laws aren't causing the problem. Just read the comments section at Mother Jones until you can't stand it any more.
Then you vomit.
I think it's very good that an alarm is going off in your mind saying this current arrangement isn't working. The sense of something being wrong is not due to other people earning more money or working less by milking corporations or the gov't. Instead I suspect it's because you sense there's some better way to do it, but you haven't found it yet.
I'm approaching this by making some changes in 2016 and spending some money on new processes that may or may not work, but it won't be fatal if they don't work. Just trying something new gives me energy.
IMHO it's a very healthy work ethic that urges you to work long and hard but sounds an alarm if you're busting your bottom for something that earns decent money but doesn't build long-term value.
Good luck to you too. I agree that lowlives are everywhere, esp in gov't. Smart, hard-working people are everywhere too. I believe it's best for me to try not to focus on the moochers, go to some fundraisers that support what I believe, and maybe I'll meet some other hard-working people with good ideas.
I enjoy my job, but will continue working until I can hit the balance between having enough years left to enjoy retirement, yet have enough money to do so.
I'm close enough to retirement, now, that if I won a million dollars, today, I'd pull the plug in an instant, regardless of the fact I enjoy my job. I've earned it!
Sometimes things just don't go our way - through no fault of our own. There's not much you can do but keep going and hope for a break. Don't fault yourself, however, for putting in the time you did. I look around and there are far more people expecting life to go well for them when they are only working 20 hours a week (and not using the rest of the time productively). I don't think it is your work ethic which is in question.
From very modest circumstances, became a professional, worked my butt off, made a whole lot, lost a whole lot, still very physically, mentally, and psychologically fit, and while I could - and do - sometimes lament how it all worked out, it was a hoot and it was fun. But it's a bit different at 72 when the person interviewing you is less than half your age. I think this one may work out, it's very good money, will get me over the hump, but the resilience of my work ethic will carry me through. Without that, I'd be gone.
Jan
Good fortune.
Jan
That being said, I am a decade younger than you, and in good shape: I do 2 martial arts and am learning to joust.
At a party tonight with liberals who are congratulatory on moving to Portland with the culture and politics. Jeez, now it begins. Thank all of you for the Gulch and the sanity it provides. I read it every day. It keeps me alive.
The extension of breaking windows is set forth in Hazlitt's Economics In One Lesson. The true cost of a structure, dwelling , factory or town is how many times did it have to be rebuilt other than periodic maintenance? How much did that cost?
In the military when we kill people and break things both that generation and their structures are a negative sum gain. For those stuck in the 7th century it matters not as their control system does not value life nor the property of others. For the real world advancing yourself or immortality through the chain of your children who live int the same house and did not have to build it three, five ten times.
Think about that before you send us out to war again. I rather liked breaking things beyond repair. It was great fun. Had it been my house I would have the opposite opinion.
As a citizen we get to pay for winning and losing and in doing so lose. That's something else that is irrational and needs breaking beyond all ability to repair.
Jan
as long as we have a democracy where everyone has the vote (as opposed to a republic where only those earning income would earn the right to vote), the politicans who will get elected are those who promise to rob peter to pay an increasing number of voting pauls...
Only the insiders call it the next turn of the wheel on the Cycle of Economic Repression.
Question is that debt due for the most part before or after Jan 20th of 2017? I smell more balaned budget with a surplus BS.
And Boehner Part II agreed to another 1.1 trillion in debts, saying done deal.. Democrats vow to not support the extension of the tax breaks meaning guess whose paying for it...come next April and Obama signs an extension so as not to have the non existent government shut down.
And you really want to vote for these clowns?
In that case my advise is BOHICA and don't forget to check the vaseline label for percentage of sand.
I would argue that you really cannot reach an answer to your question unless you have an external standard giving you the purpose of work in the first place. If we search without an absolute guide, is the search only over when we feel content? If contentment is the goal, then many other factors have to be considered. You will never reach the answer without an external, extra-anthropic standard defining the reason for work.