It surprises me that so many people, when they are not working, do “nothing.” I think it's mostly a matter of the need for validation, which, in my experience, is particularly prevalent in the United States. People need reassurance that they are somehow competent, that they are needed, and that they are somehow contributing to a group, a small society, which most of the time is--isn't that crazy--a corporation. If that validation is not there, they think they are doing "nothing".
A question I often ask people is, “If they paid you the same salary you earn now, but without working (i.e., you don't work, you can do whatever you want with your life, but you can't be compensated for your work), would you take the deal?”
I'm surprised, maybe bewildered is a more appropriate term, that many people say they wouldn't, and they explain it by saying they like what they do, their colleagues, etc. And maybe I'm the odd one out, the eccentric one, but there are so many languages I'd like to learn, races I'd like to run, places I'd like to visit, sports, and skills and crafts I'd like to become proficient in. And I couldn't say no to all that for what, an IC, a middle manager position that one day is there and the next day is eliminated by the CFO/CTO/C-whatever? A position where they would barely remember my name a week after I left?
But many strongly feel this need for validation, which they never seem to have overcome in their younger years, when the ancestral fear of not being appreciated by their parents and thus being abandoned took hold in their souls.
I am doing a lot, but I would like to do more. To become skilled at something, and not just to read a Wikipedia article about it, one has to spend time, energy, effort, and sometimes money. Having the money, more time and energy would increase the number of sports, activities, crafts, and skills I would like to explore and become proficient in.
A question I often ask people is, “If they paid you the same salary you earn now, but without working (i.e., you don't work, you can do whatever you want with your life, but you can't be compensated for your work), would you take the deal?” I'm surprised, maybe bewildered is a more appropriate term, that many people say they wouldn't, and they explain it by saying they like what they do, their colleagues, etc. And maybe I'm the odd one out, the eccentric one, but there are so many languages I'd like to learn, races I'd like to run, places I'd like to visit, sports, and skills and crafts I'd like to become proficient in. And I couldn't say no to all that for what, an IC, a middle manager position that one day is there and the next day is eliminated by the CFO/CTO/C-whatever? A position where they would barely remember my name a week after I left?
But many strongly feel this need for validation, which they never seem to have overcome in their younger years, when the ancestral fear of not being appreciated by their parents and thus being abandoned took hold in their souls.