landstar59 is offline landstar59 Post #1  June 6,2009, 6:39pm
landstar59's Avatar

Wondering why I ever left this place. Came back and now I know why.

Veteran

Joined: Apr 2008

30.5 Lat / -90.45 Long

Posts: 1,922

See profile

I saw a short video clip yesterday of a woman who lived in New Jersey and was a prosecutor by profession. She had done it for many years and realized that all she did all day long was to argue with people and people argue with her. Her job began to affect her entire being and needless to say she woke up one day and just decide to quit, go west and ride horses. This may sound extreme to some people but in reality if we look at how our jobs affect our lives then I'd say most of us would pull up our roots and move on to better things. Share your stories if you have realized this to be true of you. I tend to think the majority of people stick with a job that is unsatisfying and never move on to see what else is out there. What do you think?
 
  Reply With Quote
JDavid is offline JDavid Post #2  June 11,2009, 7:49pm
JDavid's Avatar

Changed Status -- Success Story

Community Leader Alum

Joined: May 2009

Ozarks of northern Arkansas

Posts: 382

See profile

.
My story is a bit different in that I did not dislike my job. In fact, it was "the best job in the world". As a tenured university professor, I taught twelve hours per week and kept office hours three additional hours. The salary was handsome and the benefits generous. Every seventh year I was entitled to apply for sabbatical – a year off at half salary or a semester at full pay. I had built a nice house on twenty-five acres in rural country within easy driving distance of the university.

Soon after becoming forty years old, I decided that in spite of a love for teaching, what I really wanted was to be free of obligations and free to go wherever I wanted and do whatever I wanted without asking anyone. My friends and colleagues and students were aghast that I would consider abandoning a secure and rewarding career for the uncertainties of freedom (and unemployment).

Without hesitation I turned in my resignation, bought a travel trailer and truck, sold the fancy house, the acreage and everything that would not go along. I actually qualified for a tiny pension after ten years of teaching – and told the university president, "the pension isn't much but I'm going to make it painful for you people because I intend to live a LONG time.

That was thirty years ago. I intend to collect that pension for at least another twenty years – at which time its total will amount to more than my salary during those years of teaching (even adjusting for inflation).

It has been a wonderful three decades of freedom that allowed me to visit most states and to live in many different places for months or years. I have visited many of the "natural wonders" (rather than cities) of the US, and have gotten to know people all over the country "up close and personal" by living in their area. I have not suffered a W-2 form or 1099 the entire time.

 I do not recommend that others follow my path – but it works for me.

 
  Reply With Quote
landstar59 is offline landstar59 Post #3  June 13,2009, 10:11am
landstar59's Avatar

Wondering why I ever left this place. Came back and now I know why.

Veteran

Joined: Apr 2008

30.5 Lat / -90.45 Long

Posts: 1,922

See profile

Now that's what I would call stepping out of your comfort zone. Good for you David and especially because it has worked for you. You haven't let your life live you, you've lived your life....although I am not sure at what expense (regarding family).
 
  Reply With Quote
JDavid is offline JDavid Post #4  June 13,2009, 8:50pm
JDavid's Avatar

Changed Status -- Success Story

Community Leader Alum

Joined: May 2009

Ozarks of northern Arkansas

Posts: 382

See profile

.
landstar59 wrote :
Now that's what I would call stepping out of your comfort zone. Good for you David and especially because it has worked for you. You haven't let your life live you, you've lived your life.
Actually, Landstar, my comfort zone is quite broad because I am comfortable with myself and am reasonably self-assured and self-confident. It might be more accurate to say that the decision to leave the university position was leaving the familiar to embrace change and uncertainty. I did so enthusiastically.

I have always been a bit of a "risk-taker" (sensible risks, but requiring of some fortitude). Without seeking thrills, I have done many things that people generally hesitate to undertake. Comfort (in conventional terms) has never been a priority in my life.

Outside my comfort zone would include such things as cities, crowds, stressful life, obligations, traffic, noise -- but those are easily avoided in my lifestyle.

landstar59 wrote :
.although I am not sure at what expense (regarding family).
Every decision we make involves trade-offs. It is, for instance, very difficult to be free to go where one decides and do what one wants – while being closely tied to family.

That is a non-problem for me because I am not family oriented. I prefer to choose friends based upon personality characteristics rather than to emphasize associations based upon genetic relationship. Shared genes are no indication or assurance of shared values.

Some people to whom I am related have difficulty accepting my decisions or the paths I choose to follow. It troubles me not at all that they have a problem. I do not live my life to please others (excepting a chosen partner – and even then a close enough fit does not require major adjustment).

 
  Reply With Quote
WeDesignOurLives is offline WeDesignOurLives Post #5  August 6,2009, 6:42pm
WeDesignOurLi…'s Avatar

is 20% off this week only!

Virtuoso

Joined: Dec 2007

Philly

Posts: 2,958

See profile

landstar59 wrote :
This may sound extreme to some people but in reality if we look at how our jobs affect our lives then I'd say most of us would pull up our roots and move on to better things.
It doesn't sound extreme and I think this is a very important topic.
 
  Reply With Quote
lada2 is offline lada2 Post #6  August 12,2009, 10:31am
lada2's Avatar

looking down the road

Veteran

Joined: Nov 2008

down the river, for a man

Posts: 1,010

See profile

having had the recent opportunity to define myself apart from my job (and I am quite looking forward to resuming) old friends have told me I am much more pleasant to be around. Oh, well....
 
  Reply With Quote
WeDesignOurLives is offline WeDesignOurLives Post #7  January 11,2010, 2:31pm
WeDesignOurLi…'s Avatar

is 20% off this week only!

Virtuoso

Joined: Dec 2007

Philly

Posts: 2,958

See profile

JDavid wrote :
.
My story is a bit different in that I did not dislike my job.

I decided that in spite of a love for teaching, what I really wanted was to be free of obligations and free to go wherever I wanted and do whatever I wanted without asking anyone.
Did you have enough from the start or did you work on the road? You said you wanted to do whatever you wanted but sometimes that involves money I think.

The situation you left is exactly the kind I am seeking right now... full pay, half the effort... and after that one quarter of the effort, etc., until I have a strong regular income with perhaps 1-2 days a week working. I would love to travel but I don't know about being on the road 365. I'd like to have many residences and stay at each a month or so ... move with the climate...wherever it's dry and 60-70, whatever is closest to San Diego.

My quick story is that I left corp america in 92... I saw no future in programming... I liked it about an hour a week and I constantly found ways to escape work and eventually they just said 'get it together or leave' so I did. My degree is in Elect. Eng. and now I own a web design company (self-taught). Lots of freedom...good income if you're disciplined and have enough marketing savvy to make it (which I do...I like the marketing as much as the design).

Web design is a fantastic work-at-home career.
 
  Reply With Quote
JDavid is offline JDavid Post #8  January 11,2010, 3:48pm
JDavid's Avatar

Changed Status -- Success Story

Community Leader Alum

Joined: May 2009

Ozarks of northern Arkansas

Posts: 382

See profile

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
Did you have enough from the start or did you work on the road?
I have not suffered a W-4 or 1099 for thirty years.

I did NOT have a "bundle" upon retirement – but decided that watching outflow was more important than focusing on inflow. That still works thirty years later. Most people do not understand (and I don't feel obligated to inform them).

"On the road" has no meaning to me – see below.

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
You said you wanted to do whatever you wanted but sometimes that involves money I think.
Most people will agree that it "takes money'.

I know better – based on thirty years of personal experience. It does NOT "take money" – it takes brains and imitative – and maybe some guts. Those who think that "it takes money" will continue to work for money – while I am free of that obligation. If that doesn't makes sense for anyone – keep working for money – stay where you are and don't bother me.

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
The situation you left is exactly the kind I am seeking right now... full pay, half the effort... and after that one quarter of the effort, etc., until I have a strong regular income with perhaps 1-2 days a week working. I would love to travel but I don't know about being on the road 365.
Being "on the road 365" has no meaning to me. I have lived in a multitude of places in the US long enough to get to know the area and its people. Because my home is an RV does NOT mean that I must move in the fashion of "tourists" or "vacationers". After thirty years in this lifestyle, I feel no need to travel incessantly. Many make a bad assumption.

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
I'd like to have many residences and stay at each a month or so ... move with the climate...wherever it's dry and 60-70, whatever is closest to San Diego.
San Diego sucks in my opinion. I lived seventy five miles east of there – and went there occasionally for supplies. Terrible place, in my opinion.

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
My quick story is that I left corp america in 92... I saw no future in programming... I liked it about an hour a week and I constantly found ways to escape work and eventually they just said 'get it together or leave' so I did. My degree is in Elect. Eng. and now I own a web design company (self-taught). Lots of freedom...good income if you're disciplined and have enough marketing savvy to make it (which I do...I like the marketing as much as the design).

Web design is a fantastic work-at-home career.
I can understand that independent web design work could be liberating.

I find that NO work is superior. I am not obligated to perform anything for anyone – and have not been for thirty years. It is a different mind-set (that suits me well). It is not for everyone – or even or a few – but it works for me (and if not for others is of no concern to me).
 
  Reply With Quote
WeDesignOurLives is offline WeDesignOurLives Post #9  January 12,2010, 7:44am
WeDesignOurLi…'s Avatar

is 20% off this week only!

Virtuoso

Joined: Dec 2007

Philly

Posts: 2,958

See profile

JDavid wrote :
but it works for me (and if not for others is of no concern to me).
Yes, it's certainly a different mindset. I think you think people that work 'for money' are perhaps in pursuit of materialism but to me it's about freedom/liberation.
 
  Reply With Quote
JDavid is offline JDavid Post #10  January 12,2010, 9:03am
JDavid's Avatar

Changed Status -- Success Story

Community Leader Alum

Joined: May 2009

Ozarks of northern Arkansas

Posts: 382

See profile

WeDesignOurLives wrote :
I think you think people that work 'for money' are perhaps in pursuit of materialism but to me it's about freedom/liberation.
Guessing what I think is a good way to make mistakes. In this instance, for example, I take no position regarding motivations of anonymous individuals who choose to work for (or strive for) money. Whether or not they are in pursuit of materialism is of no concern to me.

If a person wishes to regard working for wages / money as a form of freedom or liberation, they certainly have the right to think that way for themselves. I do not accept that reasoning for myself.

Instead, I regard the absence of need to strive to produce income as being part of my definition of individual freedom (for myself) -- with no need to "dance to the tune" of others (fulfill their needs, wants, desires, schedules, etc). I choose to do a lot of volunteer work -- on my terms and my schedule.
 
  Reply With Quote
Reply
  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2


« Resolutions for 2010 | Beautiful minds | Why we need to listen more »
Topic Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new topics
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off

Similar Topics
Topic Topic Starter Board Replies Last Post
Science, religion and personality types awol71 Atheists, Humorists, and Science 19 July 27,2009 2:54pm
Are the LOOKS of a woman are more important of their PERSONALITY??? Trikster A Man's Point of view 41 June 17,2009 7:45am
Extroverts attracted to Introverts (vice versa) healthb Dating 40 May 25,2009 12:37pm

Looking for a Great Relationship?

Get started now. Fill out this form and take the questionnaire to receive your matches.

First Name:

I'm a:
seeking

Postal Code:

Country:

Email:

Confirm Email:

Password:


How did you hear about us?


Latest on our Dating Advice Discussion Boards

“It's important to understand the way a site works. Rigidly assuming / insisting that eH works likes all the others you're used to isn't utilizing the site functions to your best advantage. No.... ... ” –  Wiseman2

Join the “First contact on eHarmony, smile, questions, email?” discussion

“ If you have yet to meet, you don't know him or whether you two will form a connection. Connections formed over e-mail tend to be fantasies. You will see this echoed over and over by experienced ... ” –  shapeShifter79

Join the “How do i recoonect with him again?” discussion

“ Then it's a bit premature to worry about being friend-zoned. The first step is to go out on dates! What specific steps did you try? How many women did you ask out in person? Did you buy a ... ” –  shapeShifter79

Join the “For women to answer: How to avoid the friend zone” discussion

“ This is an old thread. She asked this in 2010. By now they are likely very exclusive or very over. ” –  shapeShifter79

Join the “is there a reason to ask if we're exclusive?” discussion

“ I'm sure he wouldn't get that. And I can't be sure that was the actual message. But it sems kind of likely to me.” –  boomer_gal

Join the “Why am I not successful?” discussion

“Hi eccemuliere and welcome to eHA.On an internet forum like eHA, you're going to get a wide variety of responses; some you'll like and some you won't. It's best to focus on the ones that speak to ... ” –  Sassafras54

Join the “Being blown off, or something else?” discussion

“ Although I have ignored my gut at times, in hindsight it's always been right, in terms of recognizing bad choices. QUOTE] But once we realize our past mistakes, we can use our reason to clue us ... ” –  eccemuliere

Join the “Is Your Gut Leading - or Misleading You?” discussion



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 4:09am.

Discussion Boards Archive

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0