We all have those kind of weeks where time seems to crawl, things don't go right and you can't stop feeling nauseous. I often wonder why some days seem longer than the rest. And also why do bad things always seem to happen at once. These days, I often feel like fast forwarding time by a week or two.
The reason for all these negative feelings, in my opinion stems from having to work 5 days a week. My ideal workweek would consist of 3 workdays where every hour would be utilized to the max. Currently, there are pockets of idle time riddling through my work hours. As time goes by, I feel that its getting harder to bear. I wonder how you guys feel about your work week? Is 5 days of work too much or too little?
I have thought of a few ways to counter this negative feeling and change my life a little, some drastic and some minor changes. Not sure whether they will work but I might just give it a go in the near future.
1) Quit my job and work part-time/freelance.
2) Request to work lesser days for a lesser pay, make up for loss cash flow by working or doing something more enjoyable part time.
3) Take a break and go for a short getaway to recharge my batteries.
4) Take a long break - like 6 months - and backpack. (would love to do this but... so many reasons I cant afford it - later retirement date, new company, new house coming up, planning for kids.... sigh..)
5) Suck it up and take it like a man.
Have a few more ideas which are too ridiculous to be listed here lest I get flamed. Anyway, I would appreciate it a great deal if anyone could give me ideas to mitigate the negative feeling. I'm pretty sure many of you have felt the same way or are feeling the same way right now. I know we all have to go through this work life to earn enough for retirement, but some days... you know? Enough of my rants, thoughts please?
As always, save more, spend less and invest wisely.
P.
I am very satisfied and happy with my current job now, so I might be at the minority side of your readers think that 5 days week is too little (I am working about 5 days week now, 10-12 hours per day, pretty long in modern standard).
ReplyDeleteI have no problem coming back to office on weekend to read some work related material or settle some unfinished work from Friday night. I am lucky in every workplace I worked in, they are either challenging, friendly, or having a helpful supervisor and colleague to guide me along.
No doubt we all are working toward earning enough money (or investment) to retire early, but I think it is important that we don't suffer while we are going through the process. It took me many years to realize that. Retirement to me is not about not doing anything as well, I guess I will be still doing my current job and some other related work when I achieve my goal of retirement. I think retirement means we have more choice to make because we will not be locked in by our financial commitment anymore and we have much more time to spend.
I don't have so many commitment as you because I am still single now so cannot really advise you in your situation. But I think the option 5 seems like a good one, take it up like a man but don't think that you are sucking it up. It is a long good life, you just postpone it few years later. :- )
Wow, you are indeed of the minority. 10-12 hours... oh my! I do not think I could handle that, my wife would not be ablt to handle that. I guess being attached or single both have their plus and minuses. I guess it's just that from time to time, I get kind of lazy and let my mind run wild. Gotta slap myself into shape again. I totally agree with you that retirement and financial freedom = the power of choice.
DeleteP.S. if you think that 5 days a week, 10-12 hours a day is too little, I would love to employ you once my company is fully running! =)
Ya. Being attached definitely change your priority in life. Most of my colleague who has a family spend their night time taking care of their children, talking to their partner or doing house work.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, since I have not much commitment and loving my work, so I thought the best way to spend my time would be stay in office reading some interesting material instead of go back my rented place facing 4 walls. Also the office is a good place to be at for reading when everyone went home. It is quiet and spacious, so it is about perspective.
Btw, what business is your up and coming company going into?
Good post.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I would br thinking always for point number 2. We reduce the number of hours of active income as we get higher pay each and every year.
I hv also taken a 2 weeks break recently. It definitely helps out a lot in recharging your thoughts and energy.
Hi B, a break would most definitely be welcomed. . As for point number 2 maybe besides the higher income to offset the days worked. . Passive income could be used to further offset those. But in the end.. depends on whether the higher up is willing to let you go or not.
DeleteHI RSG
ReplyDeleteI think you are feeling burnout. You will overcome it without you realising it at all.
By the end of this month, I would have been retired for 12months.
I love to do some work in the office or outdoor. Hope someone will offer me something through your blog.
Thanks and wishing you good health and journey towards your financial freedom.
Hi unsure, congrats on your retirement anniversary. By the way, what kind of work might you be looking for?
ReplyDeleteHi RSG,
ReplyDeleteIf there is an opportunity, maybe we can meet up for a drink.(I will buy)
Cheers
Maybe I can share another viewpoint on working. The following is an excerpt from my book "Wisdom on How to Live Life (Book 4)".
ReplyDeleteGuru: Okay, let’s move on to work.
Tom: Okay, we are going to work.
Guru: What do you do when you go to work?
Tom: We serve our customers.
Guru: What do you get after working?
Tom: Money.
Guru: Who gives out the money?
Tom: The management.
Guru: Is this the purpose of working?
Tom: Of course it is.
Guru: Ha, do you see a problem here?
Tom: No, I don’t.
Guru: You see, they are using money as a reward to control you.
Tom: They are?
Guru: So that you have to listen to them.
Tom: I have to listen to them.
Guru: So that you cannot do what you like.
Tom: I cannot do what I like.
Guru: Then, you won’t be happy.
Tom: I’m not happy.
Guru: Then, you won’t have heaven on Earth.
Tom: How can we have heaven on Earth?
Guru: Go to work for the real purpose of going to work.
Tom: What is the real purpose of going to work?
Guru: To serve.
Tom: Then, they cannot control me.
Guru: Then, you will be happy.
Tom: Then, we can have heaven on Earth.
You may like to increase the positivity ratio. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://happierhuman.com/positivity-ratio/
If your ratio is below 1.0, you may be caught in a downward spiral of stress and negativity. You may even be depressed.
If your ratio is between 1.5 and 2.5 – that’s normal. You life has more positivity than negativity, but not by a margin large enough to trigger an upward spiral.
If your ratio is between 3 and 5, you’ve hit the sweet spot.
If your ratio is above 9, you’re approaching a danger zone – one with too much positivity and not enough reality.
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ReplyDeletemy view to increase your positivity ratio is to know how to satisfy your goals by setting clear expectations of yourself.
ReplyDeleteold saying: I am my greatest enemy.