If you wouldn't have to...

[past_perfect]

... work at your current job, because everything you think you need would be provided for, would you still do it?

Probably an odd question, and has one, or probably even two follow-up questions woven into it:

What would be everything you really need (or think you need), or like to have to be able to lead a happy and fulfilled life?

And the third question would be - in case you wouldn't want to work at your current job, what else would you want to do?

These questions might sound a little silly, like "what would you do if you win a million bucks" - but I am more thinking about utopian societies and alternatives to monetary compensation, as I came across a few interesting models lately, some of which seem to stipulate that money is the root of all evil...

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I would work at a more physically orientated one. Something in retail, or construction.

 

[past_perfect]

I would work at a more physically orientated one. Something in retail, or construction.

Yeah, although that wouldn't be my first choice, I can understand that - it can be very gratifying to create something or help create something with physical labour - I had a brief episode in my life when I worked as a roofer (my father-in-law had a small company I was supposed to take over) - and although I wasn't particularly good at it, there were moments when I really enjoyed it.

 

[glynndah]

Definitely. I have an important job, one I've already said I'd do for free if there's no room in the budget next year.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Yes, if I could be a serial killer!

 

[Liar]

Wait... is everything I need provided for, or everything I want? If the former, then hell yes, I'd keep working, to affort the things I want.

Also, my job is occasionally fun. I'd keep the fun parts and hire someone else to do the boring bits.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Let's begin an answer with this statement: I've just contacted my financial advisor because I'm aiming to retire in June.


1.Now this job is one that has been a lot of fun and one that I believe I've both been good at and had good influences doing. However, I'm tired and getting frustrated. That may mean that I'm losing my edge and if so, I should get out for the kids' own good. So, no, I would not continue since my needs will, indeed, be met.

2. More sex would help . . .

3.I have a lot of possibilities. For the present, I'm going to build furniture, especially rocking chairs. What else I may do is up in the air but believe me, if it isn't fun, I'll quit in a heartbeat.

 

[jomar]

I'm with Liar here.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

I enjoy my job, just not always some of my colleagues. But as I am support staff they kind of go hand in hand. I would like to keep working, just a few minor adjustments in office space, and replacing odious bothersome irritants with more agrreable and enjoyable souls.

What I need, well food, shelter, water etc is a given. I would say that inspiring people, and opportunities to expand knowledge and skills are needs. If I stop growing, I start dying.

If we talk pure ideals, utopian and fanciful dreams, I would want a job where I get to do strange and unique things just for teh fun of doing them, and a smoking hot co-worker is routinely shocked and amazed at what I comes out of my workshop.

 

[cloudy]

I've had horses almost all my life... I rodeo'd, showed, trail rode, all that starting when I got my first horse when I was seven. In high school, people started asking me to show their horses too, work with them, correct some issues, whatever. By the time I was fifteen, I was breaking horses to saddle - not all that many, and not all that often, but occasionally. Once I graduated college, and started working 70 hours a week, I didn't have time to do much of that anymore. I was lucky if I got in a simple ride for a couple of hours once a week.

I always thought my dream job would be doing that for a living.

Then, in my thirties, I started a new job. The hours weren't as demanding, and so I picked it back up again, barrel racing on my own horse, and taking in the occasional neurotic mare or gelding to see if I could get them past their issues.

Well, I bought my husband this absolutely beautiful foundation-bred mare for Christmas one year - paid a ton of money for her - but she was only green broke to saddle (I think she'd had a saddle on her back a couple of times, that was it), so it fell to me to finish out her training, since my husband doesn't even come close to having the patience.

This mare was huge - she probably weighed in at close to 1200 lbs - and she was real skittish, dancing around, rolling her eyes when I started easing myself into the saddle. This bitch bucked like a bull. I've never in my life seen a horse buck that way, and she bounced and rolled, and did her damnedest to get me off her back. I ended up flying into the side of the barn, basically unhurt, but I learned something that day.

It hurts so much fucking more to hit the ground now than it did when I was fifteen.

So...I sent her off, had her beautifully trained, and I haven't tried it since then.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

It hurts so much fucking more to hit the ground now than it did when I was fifteen.

Funny that you should mention that!

 

[newinmke]

These questions might sound a little silly, like "what would you do if you win a million bucks"

Well, you don't need a million bucks to do nothing

 

[newinmke]

Didn't mean to trivialize this, but the chinese saying "if you do what you like, you will not work another day" comes to mind. The problem is not work, it is what people do to earn the green. I love what I do, and I will probably do it even if I won a lottery = well not if I won big Lot of people are in jobs that they don;t want to do, but do it anyways because they have other needs. If only they went with what was in their heart, they would love the 5 days of the week, although they may not the rest of the week as they may not have much money. But then again, if you loved what you do, does money really a matter of concern?

* Above statements don't matter if you apply "do what you love" to sex. Unless, you are < 25 and model-like, and work in some counties in Nevada. If you can't, please see me and I can see what I can do about your passion for your line of work. Oh, applies to women only

 

[lance gt]

I'm with Mke. If this is a utopian society, why would we be working? Work is a generated necessity of money and the need to buy things with money. No Job, No money, No problems.

I've enjoyed numerous jobs and owned several businesses, and regardless of what I did, it would be serving or helping people. I'd hate to have to sit at a desk all day looking at a screen or papers piling up. Personal interaction makes the day far more interesting and easier to look forward to each morning.

 

[DG Hear]

A number of my fellow workers asked me about retiring early. I gave them all the same answer.

First, you need to make sure you can live on the income you will be receiving.

Second, you need a reason to get up in the morning. Whether it's a job you enjoy doing, a hobby you finally have time for or maybe even taking those trips you always wanted.

You need to do something even if it's donating your time to help others. I guess that's why most of my friends always seem to say, "Damn, I'm so busy, I don't know how I ever fit time in my schedule to have a job before I retired."

 

[Isid]

I would keep working... at something... no matter how much I have or not have... keeps me healthy

 

[TE999]

A number of my fellow workers asked me about retiring early. I gave them all the same answer.

First, you need to make sure you can live on the income you will be receiving.

Second, you need a reason to get up in the morning. Whether it's a job you enjoy doing, a hobby you finally have time for or maybe even taking those trips you always wanted.

You need to do something even if it's donating your time to help others. I guess that's why most of my friends always seem to say, "Damn, I'm so busy, I don't know how I ever fit time in my schedule to have a job before I retired."

I'll drink to that.

I'm doing right now what I always dreamed of doing...what I want and whenever I want to do it...within reason of course.

Some folks don't do well in retirement...they're used to a routine and are lost without it. I revel in it. Since I retired I've become a Master Gardener with the Agricultural Extension Service, landscaped my home and I maintain it, took up weight lifting and training, improved my swimming skills and taken up writing...erotic and otherwise. I'm having fun.

 

[lance gt]

I'll drink to that.

I'm doing right now what I always dreamed of doing...what I want and whenever I want to do it...within reason of course.

Some folks don't do well in retirement...they're used to a routine and are lost without it. I revel in it. Since I retired I've become a Master Gardener with the Agricultural Extension Service, landscaped my home and I maintain it, took up weight lifting and training, improved my swimming skills and taken up writing...erotic and otherwise. I'm having fun.

There's something about gardening that makes you feel good. I think it's seeing things grow and tending to them like children. Gives us a 'purpose' to get out every day and enjoy life. Like raising kids without all the problems.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

That's for damned sure. Becoming a Master Gardener is on my bucket list right after I get a Master of Fine Arts and work my way into triathlons. I love my vegetables, my fruit trees and my orchids. Yeah, gardens . . .

 

[DG Hear]

I'll drink to that.

I'm doing right now what I always dreamed of doing...what I want and whenever I want to do it...within reason of course.

Some folks don't do well in retirement...they're used to a routine and are lost without it. I revel in it. Since I retired I've become a Master Gardener with the Agricultural Extension Service, landscaped my home and I maintain it, took up weight lifting and training, improved my swimming skills and taken up writing...erotic and otherwise. I'm having fun.

Good for you Tom! and I didn't even talk to you before you retired. LOL
Take care and enjoy your life.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I think that, if I didn't have to work, I would spend a year laying flat on my ass staring into space. Well, maybe not a whole year...

And then i would dedicate the rest of my creative mind to 'making things.'

I've always worked with my hands. I've done miniatures in the film industry (pre CGI), built dollhouses, worked in a machine shop, in the exhibits maintenance of a national museum, done rehab and construction, made hats for a couture atelier, and my joy is to see something come out of the raw materials. These past two years I've been a research assistant! And as gratifying and important as the work is-- it's not what feels the rightest to me.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't have to work--and much of the work I do is without pay. But I can't seem to not work every day.

 

[Boxlicker101]

When I reached the point where I could clear as much from SS and pension as from my job, I retired. Now I work as a consultant, opposing the people I used to work for. I can keep my brain active and pick my own hours. I also have more time to write smut, which is important.

 

[TE999]

There's something about gardening that makes you feel good. I think it's seeing things grow and tending to them like children. Gives us a 'purpose' to get out every day and enjoy life. Like raising kids without all the problems.

Yep...plants and trees don't talk back or want to borrow the car. It's the being outside and working in the soil I find so satisfying.

That's for damned sure. Becoming a Master Gardener is on my bucket list right after I get a Master of Fine Arts and work my way into triathlons. I love my vegetables, my fruit trees and my orchids. Yeah, gardens . . .

You'd make an excellent Master Gardener, VM. You already have extensive knowledge about plants and trees and you enjoy teaching. I teach classes to new MG's and give lectures to groups intrested in gardening.

Good for you Tom! and I didn't even talk to you before you retired. LOL
Take care and enjoy your life.

You do the same, DG. Enjoy every day.